How do you sing?

Question

I play a variety of instruments so I understand pitch and rythm and all that good stuff. I just can't seem to figure out how to sing to have a good voice. Does a "good voice" lie in terms of how you are breathing or are some people just born with one and others just can't sing no matter how hard they try? What can I do to better my voice?

Answer 1

sing like no one is listening from the heart

Answer 2

Practice! Sing in the car, in the shower, while you hike.... just sing!

I've heard that a good way to find your correct voice is to start singing in your 'talking' voice first, then go up or down according to your comfort. (I've included a link below that tells a little about finding your range too).

Proper breathing is important, it's a learned thing and not innate, so a vocal coach could help you with this. I don't know if good singers are born with the gift or not, but I think everyone has the ability to sing... some folks just need a little more guidance than others!

I like to sing along with tapes/CDs of artists I admire to try to learn new techniques: Gladys Knight, Andrews Sisters, Patsy Cline, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, to name a few. So, pick some artists and start singing! Have fun with it.

Good Luck!
:0~~~~~~~~~~*

Answer 3

Your voice is a muscle (actually two) that has to be trained to work in steps, to submit to your control, and to sustain itself without causing you pain. Your mouth is an amplification chamber that work slightly differently for eveyone. You can do many of the same or similar exercises with your voice that you do with other instruments. It wouldn't hurt to get some pointers from a friend who already sings, or go talk to your chorus / concert choir teacher (be careful because that teacher will always want to keep you, especially if you are seriousl about what you are doing)

Sing long tones, sustain one pitch for as long as you can. Match pitch with your instrument, sing along with a favorite artist, get together with freinds who sing, join the choir if you have a spiritual affiliation, join the school concert choir / chorus, or next time you see a karaoke machine, get up there and try it. If you have trouble hearing the pitch at first, cup your ear with your hand. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Well, some people are just 'born' with a natural ability to sing. It depends on the development of your larynx and how you've used your voice over the years. Having a singing voice is truly a mystery.
However, can you relate pitch to your singing? Do you sing very far off pitch? Do you understand fluidity of a vocal line as it relates to your instruments? Do you have a 'husky' voice? Have you already gone through your voice change? If you go to a voice teacher or even a choral director, they could listen to you and give you the specific advice you need to sing better. We really have no objective way of hearing ourselves as what comes out of our mouth sounds entirely different than what we hear in our heads.
I would love to say I can give you tips, but I would have to hear you in order to tell you what you need to do. Really make it a point to sing for a professional who can make this kind of assessment.

Answer 5

I have been teaching singing for 35 years. Most of what has been written here up to now is nonsense, although I am sure the people mean well. Everyone can learn to sing, unless they are truly tone deaf and that is only a tiny percentage of the population. Of course, if you wnat to make your debut singing opera, you had better start out sounding pretty good as it is a big task to get to that level. But if you want to sing for your pleasure or the pleasure of family and friends, or even to do pop music or Broadway tunes in front of people, you should be able to learn this. You must have a teacher. You CANNOT TEACH YOURSELF. Singing in the shower or while you drive your car is not enough. It is a question of developing your vocal muscles the way you develop your body when you go to the gym. If you are serious about singing, get a teacher. If you use a search engine and put in "singing teachers" or "voice teachers" and the place where you live, you will get some names. Go for it!

Answer 6

Everyone can benefit from some voice lessons...you do need to know about proper breathing. If you do not naturally have a great singing voice, then you will never be a great singer, but with some lessons you can become a decent singer. There are alot of bands out there with decent singers, and they make really great music. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Neil Young are not great singers, but they were gifted musicians and lyricists...so sometimes an awesome singing voice is not necessary.

Answer 7

There is a difference between having natural talent and having good technique. I know tons of people who have wonderful technique, but couldn't sing in the first place and therefore sound horrible.

However, if you do have some talent, technique training will help you out. Phrasing, breathing, how to carry yourself... just work on these and you should be fine.

Answer 8

the hard part of singing is to keep in the right tune, so if you play instruments, you can grab your guitar or piano and play all tunes up and down over and over along your voice, that's the best way to vocalize

Answer 9

If you smoke stop or if you drink stop. Sing until you can and drink lots of water. Have a glass of water next to you. While you are singing when needed drink the water. It may help.