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How would someone with a terrible singing voice go about learning to sing?

And is it even possible to develop an appreciable singing voice?

Edit:

I already play guitar, bass, and drums. I just want to learn to sing so I can write and perform my own songs. I have a lot to get out of my system 😋

24 comments
  • The first thing to try is matching pitches: play a note on some kind of instrument or app, listen to it and try to sing that same note. Do it again and again and again, multiple times every day until you feel that you have no problem doing it. This is the starting level of "ear training" and its a hugely important part of singing and playing instruments. Music is just as much about your ears as it is your instrument.

    It's possible that some people are just naturally bad at matching pitches and will always be a little bit out of tune, but if that's the case for you even after a few months of ear training don't let that stop you from taking part in music, because there are plenty of iconic artists in the pop/rock/folk/blues/hiphop world who technically can't sing for shit and people still love them. In other words, practice and train your voice as much as you can, but also learn to embrace your unique voice and make it work for you.

    • Thank you! I already play guitar, bass, and drums. I just want to complete the thing so I can write and sing my own songs :)

      • Awesome :)

        Just keep in mind that you don't have to sound like anybody but you. Wanting to get technically better at singing is a worthy cause, but don't let sounding different, or even "bad", stop you from writing and singing your own songs right away.

        So many of the artists that I love (folk guys like Neil Young, punk rockers like Tim Armstrong, and so many other people across a bunch of genres) are people with pretty unconventional voices who are just confident enough to pull it off anyway.

  • Every choir teacher I've had, every musician I've seen talk about this subject, and I do myself believe anyone has the capacity to sing well. It is a skill, and it can be developed.

    Seek vocal lessons. You can even find some on YouTube for various styles. How to croon, how to demon yell, even throat singing!

    And to be perfectly honest: Some of my favorite singers are those who have been wildly criticized for their "bad" voice. It was pretty much a staple of my favorite genre: grunge.

    • It was pretty much a staple of my favorite genre: grunge.

      Yes!! I'm totally going for this style of voice anyway 😋 🤘

  • Some good advice here. I’d add that you should figure out what your range is, don’t torture yourself trying to hit notes outside of it.

  • There is absolutely no substitute for a live, in-person voice teacher to guide your practice. Shop around—take a first lesson with a few options and try to evaluate who's got the best technique and pedagogy. Also, this is a great goal and very achievable—go for it!

    • Thanks for the advice and encouragement! Any tips pn how to start shopping around for a voice teacher? Do I just google it, look on social media, or else?

24 comments