The Number One Question I Get Asked As A Singing Teacher

When I tell people I teach singing, I often get asked one of two questions: 

“Are some people just genuinely bad at singing?”

“Do you have students that you have difficulty listening to?” 

It’s interesting to reflect on the reasons why these questions are so common. 

One of my theories is that they stem partially from the dominant western cultural narrative that voices are only worth hearing if they sound a certain way and that the capacity to sing is something you either have or you don’t.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

And I can sincerely say after teaching a wide variety of students for over ten years now that the answer to both questions is a sincere “no.”

Singing is personal process. Singing is profound creative unfolding. Singing is a vulnerable and deeply personal expression. Being a witness to someone’s singing is a privilege. 

I’ve had some singers share in their first lesson with me that their biggest goal is to be able to sing “ Happy Birthday” without feeling embarrassed.

Others have hesitantly admitted that their secret fear is that they are awful. These are often the singers who were told as children they “couldn’t hold a tune” or “should mouth the words because their voices were too loud.” The courage it takes to take singing lessons after such wounds never fails to astound me. These singers are some of the bravest I know and watching them reclaim their voices has brought tears to my eyes more than once.

I’ve worked with singers with extensive training and phenomenal technical skill who can no longer hear the beauty that they are creating - perfectionism has stolen that capacity and we marvel together as they rediscover their relationship to their voice.

I’ve worked with singers riddled with shame about their struggle with tuning breathe a deep sigh of relief as they discover that this does not mean they are failed musicians and that tuning challenges are common and workable. 

I have worked with singers who use their voices with pure abandon, expressing their heart with abundance and sincerity. Their freedom moves and inspires me.

I’ve worked with singers who experience chronic fear and anxiety over singing in front of others. They face their fears and offer their voices generously, with all the vulnerability, courage and openness that that requires. 

I’ve listened to singers discover profound healing and comfort in the simple act of singing a favourite song.

I’ve seen singers with eyes glimmering, fascinated by the discovery that they can build skills as a singer, develop capacities they never imagined and create sounds they only ever dreamed of.

I share these examples because I think the broad perception of what singing should be is much too narrow. Singing is a space of belonging and singing lessons should be a space free of judgement and filled with curiosity, collaboration, play and joy.

I’ve been the most fortunate witness to the power of music and singing in people’s lives.

I have never once thought that someone was bad or difficult to listen to.

I wish more people knew this. I wish more people knew that the singing journey wasn’t about being judged or given approval. 

I wish that people knew singing is a human right and that it’s also a skill that can be developed.

The singing journey is a beautiful creative and expressive unfolding. It is a journey of healing, of self-discovery, of wonder, of deep acceptance, excitement, challenge, self-compassion and empowerment.  

Singing belongs to everyone. Singing belongs to you.