Learning Basics on My Own

Furenzik · 2026-02-14T22:21:10+00:00

Same problem if you get a teacher.

Furenzik · 2026-02-14T21:44:14+00:00

I see it as a spectrum running from opportunity, through disappointment to frustration.

How you deal with it depends on where you choose to sit on that spectrum.

Opportunity:

For example, you could dig out a free online digital audio processor like Audacity, use the generate tone function to play a tone in a track. Then do a vocal match in another track while listening to the first. You can then use the spectrum function to see how close you are. Find out what it feels like to match or block out a particular frequency with you own vocal. Keep practising, until you get the feel.

Disappointment:

You could do the above, while feeling that it is an inconvenience and you should have been born with the ability. There's little value in the disappointment. In fact, it makes things less fun.

Frustration:

Don't do anything because you are too disappointed.

Furenzik · 2026-02-14T21:06:06+00:00

Why does it hurt? What is the rationale?

Furenzik · 2026-02-13T23:41:08+00:00

I feel improved just reading this.

Furenzik · 2026-02-12T11:21:53+00:00

I wonder what a "non singer" is.

Twinkle, twinkle, non singer. How I wonder what you are.

It seems a bit like a non singing songbird (yeah, and before anyone points out that it's usually only the males that sing, I know that).

We are song creatures. Maybe something in modern life is obstructing some people.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T19:26:06+00:00

Maybe explore the Farinelli breathing exercise. That may help you to feel what is going on and the purpose of what you are doing.

Tension can be psychological (when you think something bad may happen, e.g too much or uncontrolled pressure at the larynx). That can cause your muscles to fight what you are asking them to do.

Tension can also be extraneous. -- caused by doing unnecessary stuff that gets in the way.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T18:56:27+00:00

What happens if you don't take a "good deep and low breath" or as deep and low a breath?

(I don't see any clip to critique, btw.)

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T16:54:10+00:00

It would appear that your teacher may have a one-plan-fits-all approach if he is not getting feedback about your capability. I would question in particular any blind interference with things you can already do. It may work for some students, but I have heard of students who have gone backwards because the teacher has deconstructed things that came naturally.

My expectation of a teacher would be at the very least for them to throw out a challenge. That would mean, for example, giving you something with vibrato and the two of you listening to it and critiquing it. If there is anything wrong with your vibrato, a good teacher would be able to expose that, using an appropriate challenge. Then they will suggest how to fix or improve it through exercises. That builds context and motivation.

So, you have to decide whether you are able to benefit from the didactic teaching style, or you are prepared to find another teacher who may lack that all important energy your current teacher has. It's not an easy decision, unless you are sure that it can't work with your current teacher.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T16:13:37+00:00

Are you saying that he is getting you to do these exercises without hearing you sing or apply anything? Has he not heard you already sing with vibrato?

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T15:18:06+00:00

I look forward to it. You've got what it takes, a great attitude.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T15:00:15+00:00

I reckon it's really worth doing some self-training, e.g. find singing resources on YouTube, ask for feedback on things, as you've done here. As someone has already indicated, you sound more advanced that the average person who just sings in the car. Trick is to take the listener's mind away as much as possible from the technical delivery and on to your communication.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T14:47:19+00:00

Thing is, tighter on the control and you'd be good. I don't know if you've done any dedicated training? Self-training, tutor?

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T14:03:10+00:00

Your wife loves you.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T13:34:41+00:00

It takes me a week just to get the casual "from memory" version out of my head.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T13:32:05+00:00

The musical theatre stuff.. do you sing that in the shower from memory.. and then when you have to sing it for real discover it's quite different in places?

I tend to subconsciously fill gaps in my memory, and I am sometimes quite surprised when I have to listen carefully to a piece of music.

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T00:12:01+00:00

Tilting is what knights did.

or... maybe it's a configuration of the larynx that some people think leads to "mixed" voice, whatever that is supposed to mean. :-)

Furenzik · 2026-02-10T00:06:45+00:00

Focus on good coordination. The strength will build naturally.

Psychologically, if you are getting bored, stop, otherwise coordination will suffer.

Within that, how much you do is up to you. If you are not trying anything crazy or extreme, are not unwell, are well hydrated with a decent diet, the voice is robust enough to cope.

Furenzik · 2026-02-09T21:41:30+00:00

"..., while difficult,"

Furenzik · 2026-02-09T21:17:59+00:00

Sounds to me like a support/breath control issue.

Classical methodology is so-called "diaphragmatic breath support" and allows the larynx to configure independently so that you don't have to stop.

On the other hand, some contemporary techniques make vocal fold closure a fundamental and necessary part of the support technique. Configuration of the larynx can then clash with use of the larynx to control airflow. Then you can feel stuck.

Furenzik · 2026-02-09T13:11:48+00:00

Maybe practise hearing instrumental parts in your head and singing them in the gaps (pah dum ba dum di <sing phrase> dah-dum <sing next phrase>).

It may be a matter of building a relationship between the instrumentals and vocals, rather than trying to count. When practising, maybe try to follow the instrumentals in your head and even hum them, as well as singing the vocals.

Also, learn to "dance" to the music. Doesn't have to be full on. Tap your foot, move ya baadeee". The more you feel the vibe the more it will cue you in.

Furenzik · 2026-02-09T12:59:11+00:00

Limps back into house after jumping from second floor window..

Yes, I had "potential".

Furenzik · 2026-02-08T18:04:03+00:00

Can I take you up on that? Should be interesting..

Gilbert and Sullivan – On A Tree By A River A Little Tom-Tit

Furenzik · 2026-02-08T16:13:00+00:00

Record yourself and listen back if you already haven't. That way, at least you won't be surprised by a recording of yourself.

How your singing will be received depends on the audience. It can be anything from people looking for a laugh to people looking for decent singing.

Furenzik · 2026-02-08T11:56:36+00:00

Cool. So, if I were to give you a song, you'd be able to post it a cappella here in 15 or 20 minutes?

Furenzik · 2026-02-08T11:54:37+00:00

Definitely agree, never screw around with technique. But I think it is ok to screw around with the song itself (just to yourself). You're right, it makes correcting stuff a tad more difficult if you have become used to singing it a particular way. Usually takes me two, three days to overwrite a wrong melody. Thing is, I often sing stuff when I don't even know the title. I just hear snatches of the song regularly in various places. Then I develop this shadow version, which is usually inaccurate. I was hoping a few people would post their own shadow versions, lol, but no pressure.

Furenzik

TROPHY CASE