Is it true that you can tell when someone sings in a choir?

Question

I've recently started singing in the school choir after taking voice lessons for years.

I've found myself above everyone musically, because of my extensive music background, however I've been told that I shouldn't get in the habit of under singing and that's what choral singer do. Is this true? And that you can tell when someones a soloist singer and a choir singer...

If so do you think I should stop singing in the choir to stay a solo singer because that's what I want to do with me life? Or should I keep going in the choir because its good?

Also whats the difference, I've been in many musical theatre shows, what the difference when you're singing in a chorus? Is there one? I was told you sink to the level of what kind of singer your singing with? Is this true?

That was awesome advice! Thanks so much!

Answer 1

It is completely true that you can tell a choir singer from a solo singer. Choral singers are focussed on blending and singing smoothly and discretely so their sound doesn't stick out too much from the rest of the ensemble.

Solo singers do the exact opposite. They are "supposed" to stick out, so they focus on individual projection and individual sound.

My experience in music tells me that you shouldn't ever "stick" to one thing. If you're a good musician, you'll be able to excel in any environment. For example, Wynton Marsalis (a famous trumpet player) is an excellent classical trumpet player and also an excellent jazz player. He can comfortably fit in any situation, although I'm sure he grew up with snobby classical people telling him to stick to classical because classical music is the only real music, and snobby jazz people telling him to only play jazz.

In other words:
It's definitely worth it to explore. Make sure that you keep your musical ear attuned to what is going on around you and don't lose the sound that you want from yourself. But don't let other people tell you what is the "right" and "wrong" sound for you to project. A vocal trainer is a Guide, not a God, and you should follow your own ear in the end.

Never stick to one teacher alone... especially if you are young musician... go around and hear what different teachers have to say and then take the best advice and discard the rest.

If you enjoy singing in choir, then by all means sing in choir. You'll no doubt learn things in the process. And, if you're actually a good singer, you'll be able to "undersing" when you need to in a choral situation, and then, when you need to RIP it out for a solo, you'll be able to do that.

As for your second point that you "sink" to the level of what kind of singer you're singing with... that is partially true. Just as any GREAT athlete playing on a team with a bunch of listless people knows, your talent may sag a bit around people who don't light your fire. But, there is also the other possibility: if you're a good singer, you will bring UP the level of the singers around you.

Put it this way: Sometimes when a whole bunch of GREAT ATHLETES (Superstars) get put on one time, the team sucks more than a team of average people. It's the same for music. Talent is more than just training. It's listening to those around you and working in that situation WITH other people.

So, it's all about YOU deciding what YOU ENJOY doing and bringing that joy to whatever situation you are in. If you are good at it, you will inspire those around you. And you will be able to do that without "losing" whatever training you've been given.

One other thing: never assume that you're above others because of years of training. If you are bothering to go to the choir, think of it as a situation you can learn something in. Maybe, if you're good at sight-reading, you can spend your time there "practicing' listening for blend and balance. Or, take a conducting course, and spend your time watching conducting. Or, start seeing if you can pick out intervals with your ear and watch for your own tuning and overtone projections. There are so many ways to build your own singing in a choir situation that it would be foolish to walk in with a "holier than thou" attitude...

(not that I'm accusing you of anything).

In other words, keep your ears open. Visit a few different vocal coaches from your own to get more views on things, and by all means, sing. I'm not a big believer in the theory that people get "worse" at things when they do them differently. It's an experience to grow through.

Don't lose yourself and you'll be fine.

Answer 2

Its very easy to tell if someone is a choral singer and a solo singer: Choral singers do usually have more of a head voice, mostly sing melodies and are mediocre singer who have relative pitch but choral singers usually have more of a stand out voice, usually have perfect pitch and can harmonize very well.

I personally think that staying in the choir will be benificial later on in life it teaches you how to blend well, because just like in musical theatre you'll be singing in choral groups, it teaches you harmony and i mean that as a pun too, lol.

Answer 3

Yes. It's very easy to tell when someone has more experience as a solo singer versus a choral sound.

Choral sounds tend to have much taller vowels. That is, if the lyric had something to do with coffee (I defy you to find me a choral piece that has the word coffee in it... but I defer. Just an example), it would be sung more "cAW-fEHee." A solo singer would sing it closer to how it was spoken, more or less if we take into acount the pitch of the note.

There is no reason to quit choir. It helps TREMENDOUSLY with blending and harmonizing. And you hear yourself a lot better. I was in choir for over seven years and I still stand by that is one of the major reasons why I landed my recording deals. I knew how to blend and I knew how to listen to tones.

When you sing in a chorus, it's more typical to make the project sound like ONE voice rather than a bunch of solos. It's important that the dynamics, sound placement and vowel formation all be identical. Listen to choral groups' CDs and recordings. You'll hear that it truely sounds like one voice rather than fifty people standing out. Solo performances are, believe it or not, much much easier. You can control the level of dynamics (with coaching of course), you control your vibratto, you control you breaths. You control everything. YOU--SOUND--LIKE--YOU.

Go for it. Sing in a choir. Sing solo. Do it all. It all helps in the long run.

Answer 4

Yes, it's quite easy to tell when someone sings in a choir because they try to use their "head voice" and to blend and harmonize with everybody. Soloists, especially ones in musical theater, try instead to sing nasally, so as to stick out, and they also sing much louder than everyone else.

If you're singing in choir, then the best thing to do would be to blend in with everyone else, with a good harmony and a medium volume. It's true that some singers with naturally loud voices will under sing to blend in with the choir, but other quieter singers will have to project more so as to be heard.

Personally, I've found that choir is a beneficial experience because it teaches you how to blend in with other singers to create a pleasant harmony. Also, listening to other singers helps with pitch and pitch recognition, which is possibly one of the reasons why I mysteriously ended up with absolute pitch. I really don't think it is a great idea to leave choir to remain a solo singer because you never really know when you'll be asked to be in a chorus or ensemble. So unless you need to give up either choir or solo singing, stick with both. But if you can have only one option, then do solo singing if you like it.

Yes, there definitely are distinct choruses in musical theater. If you're singing in a chorus, then you have to not stick out as much and blend in more so as not to dominate the group and ruin the harmony. This will create an unbalanced harmony, and only one part will be heard by the audience.

And yes, you should sink to the level of singers you're singing with. For example, singing like a soloist when singing with a choir will only make you stick out, and will drown out the rest of the choir. However, when you're a soloist, you can rise up to that level and perform your best.

Answer 5

Ted gave you an awesome answer. As long as you remain aware of what you're doing you won't get "bad habits". I also agree that you will not "sink" to the other singer's levels. Strong singers can greatly help those singing near them and lift the level of the entire group.

Since I am not naturally a strong singer I like to stand near someone who is confident, always on pitch, and sings loud enough for me to hear them. This helps me enormously.

I have also suggested that our choir ask the strongest singer for each part to sing slightly louder during practice to allow some of the rest of us to hear them better. (I have to admit I still believe that is a great suggestion but others didn't feel it was necessary.)

Answer 6

To get better at singing I reccomend to follow an online course: http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=541

It's much cheaper than going to a singning teacher and you can get really good results...I did that! I can suggest evens some singer tips if you wish...For example I reccomend to drink lots of water. Avoid drinking sodas so often! Always warm up. Vocal exercises. Try drinking this natural "clear the throat" remedy: Water, Lemon Juice, Salt,

Answer 7

Yes you can tell the differences, just like you can tell the difference between the different genres of music and styles. Classical vs pop, opera vs musical theatre, jazz vs soft rock. You have gotten a lot of good advise given by several of the other people. Good luck in choosing. I think Ted is the most extensive.

Answer 8

the more practice the better stay in the choir you never know mybe theyll need a soloist someday i know are school does all the time.

Answer 9

how do put it.... DUH!