Learning to sing?

Question

I'm in my 20's and have had a few vocal lessons in the past but cannot afford them on a regular basis due to cost and other commitments.
I was told that I was quite good and could stay in tune well (which seemed to surprise my tutor). I'd really like to make something of it if I could.
I really want to continue my learning, can anyone suggest anything to keep me going? Is learning through books and cds a good option and if so any suggestions on which ones?

I'm in the UK by the way...

Answer 1

Look into getting with a chorus with a good director. Two or three hours a week in rehearsing leads to a very good way to learn. It will also give you opportunities to stretch yourself vocally if you audition for solos, duets or other extra singing with the chorus.

I sing in a competitive men's chorus and look forward to our weekly rehearsals. Several times a year, we have coaches come in and do a lot of high level work that is the next best thing to private voice lessons, sometimes even better.

I would recommend you look to see if there might be a Sweet Adaline's chapter near you, and check them out. For the guys, I strongly recommend you checkout the International Barbershop Society.

I can hear the scoffing now, BARBERSHOP???? but check out the guys in Westminster California, reigning International Champions who were on "America's Got Talent" last year, before you laugh too hard.

There are many Sweet Adeline choruses in the UK. Below are links to several. If you're interested, and I do not have a link close to you, email me where you are located and I will help find a chorus near you.

Answer 2

Here are some singing pointers, if you cannot afford singing lessons: Make sure your posture is correct. Believe it or not, it can help, ALOT. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart with one foot just slightly in front of the other. Keep your shoulders square and pretend that someone is pulling a string up that is attached to your head. Keep your arms down at your sides, and make sure your hips aren't sticking out. Also, shaping your vowels helps you improve your tone and your high notes. It helps you not to go flat or sharp. Make sure your mouth is shaped like an 'O' when you're singing a word with an O in it. etc. When you're singing E's though, make sure your mouth isn't too spread, and that you're singing fuller. Lastly, to make your voice have a fuller, richer tone, pretend there is a light bulb in your mouth (it's a silly analogy, i know!) with the big part of the bulb in the back. It helps keep your sound more forward and a nicer tone. Now, SING FROM YOUR DIAPHRAGM! This is key when you're singing, and I'll teach you how...

When you breathe, you breathe from your lungs, right? Inhale deeply. Feel your lungs and shoulders raise. Your stomach will go in and you will be able to feel your ribcage easier. That is NOT breathing from your diaphragm. When you learn how to breathe from your diaphragm in order to sing from it. Inhale. Make your stomach go out, instead of in. Fill up your lungs with air. Now, slowly exhale. Feel how your stomach is now going in as you continue to exhale. This IS breathing from your diaphragm. Keep practicing, and eventually while singing, it will become a habit and you will be singing from your diaphragm!

To directly answer your question, DEFINITLY learn through books and CD's. Look at music theory books to help you learn to read music. Good luck! Hope I helped!

Answer 3

The one thing that is most important is to strengthen your vocal chords by singing regularly and being able to monitor your pitch with others. Strangely enough one of the best ways to do this is by going to church !!! Once into 'God's Groove', you can start experimenting with harmonies without having a critical audience. The music may not be top ten material, but please believe me, the principles are the same.

Answer 4

Buy cd's that have singing variotions withing them but it depends on wha type of music you want to sing but i would reccomend A Fine Frenzy i lover her/them because she has variation within her songs. Good luck.

Answer 5

try here
http://www.vocalrelease.com/
jane