Why do MOST PEOPLE tend to SING BETTER in HUGE-MASS, than to SING ALONE?

Question

For example, if we gather enough people to fill the MADISON SQUARE GARDEN or the SUPERDOME, and let everyone sing the Star Spangled Banner altogether… we will hear a kinda nice melody of this song…

BUT… if we separate those people one by one, and ask only one person per turn to sing… we’ll get lots of awful and dreadful singer there (I guarantee that we’ll hear many sing off-key or out of tune! Ever watch American Idol show? If you do, you’ll understand what I mean here) Why? What makes most (NOT ALL!!) people sing better collectively than individually?

PS: Few people are exceptional of course! They are the talented one, and they surely can sing better, above average. But my point here is the majority: the below average one.

Answer 1

Good singers are the reason the music sounds better. First of all, the bad singers tend to mouth the words or sing relatively quietly, although there are exceptions, but the good singers always sing there heart out and that is what you hear overall.

Finally, there are people out there who probably have decent voices if they weren't tone deaf...if good experienced singers are carrying the song, they have an easier time following.

Also, the combination of voices creates a different sound.

Answer 2

It could be due to the fact that when most people sing solo, capella (without musical accompaniment), there is a tendency to go flat since there is no note to reference. This makes the song sound bad.
In a group situation the most dominant singers are probably those who know how to sing, have some sense of pitch, and are not afraid to be heard. So it keep the rest in pitch. With the exception of those who are actually tone deaf.

Answer 3

I think the biggest factor is self consciousness, when you sing in a group, you are part of the group not an individual, therefore you let it go more. More volume, less stress and you sound better. Indivdually, you are possibly shy, stressed and the volume is usually lower. Most songs sound better if you belt them out, not whisper them out, try it you will see what I mean. and that is what happens when you sing alone as oppose to singing in group. THis does not apply to professionals of course, but that is another story for another time.

Answer 4

A factor I've noticed is that off-key voices have poorly trained "musical ears." They can't "hear" what notes to hit without help. Many of these will sing on-key (or close to it) if standing next to someone who is a strong on-key singer. Their off-key voices will actually "follow" the musical example set for them by the stronger more accurate voice.

Answer 5

I sing, and love singing solo, or even in a quartet. To answer the question, voices blend and the terrible singers, even if they know it arent afraid to sing because they know nobody is listening and judging them, while alone they feel all ears are on them and they get nervous.

Answer 6

Voices blend together, cancelling out all of the little imperfections in individual voices. That's why the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is not a quartet!

Answer 7

I have been a singer for years and to tell you the truth io prefer to sing solo.... but many like when they have others to back them up they feel more confident with others singing a long with them.

Answer 8

Harmony

Answer 9

when ppl sing together as a group then they can listen to each other to make sure that they are on-key, singing the right part, that sort of thing. when they sing alone then they have no one to base themselves on. then people tend to go offkey. that make sense?

Answer 10

Usually if you are gathered in the Superdome or the gardens, you are probably drunk and when your loaded everyhting and everyone looks and sounds good.