The Human Voice

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As someone for whom singing is my life and work, there's no doubt in my mind that as soon as mankind learned to speak, they learned to sing as well. We sing when we're happy, when we're sad, when we have something to say, a political point to put across, a message to impart, and even (and perhaps best of all) for the sheer joy of singing together. But because the human voice is something so personal, so primal, the urge to sing can be fraught with insecurities - can I sing? Is it in tune? Will people like me? Will I remember the words? What if I'm too nervous to sing? What if they LAUGH...? It's hard to get rid of these. An instrumentalist has something to hide behind, something to act as a barrier between them and their audience. A criticism of an instrumentalist is a criticism of their playing; a criticism of a singer can seem like a criticism of the person. In my vocal teaching, I try hard to teach people to use their own voices. It's all very well to come in and say "I want to sound like Renee Fleming" - well, you're not the same assembly of blood, bones, organs, thoughts, and feelings, so I really can't do that. And even if you end up a good mimic, well, wouldn't you rather sound like YOU? Not everyone can be a great singer, but unless the wiring from brain to ear to mouth is faulty (and that's very rare indeed), everyone can learn how to make the best of their voice. Love what you sing, and show that you love what you sing, and you're on the right path.