LEARN HOW TO SING BETTER- SINGING IN TUNE

Learning to sing better includes singing consistently in tune.  This blog will discuss why singers sometimes fail to sing in tune, and remedies for this issue.

Why do singers  sometimes sing out of tune?
Singing out of tune means that you are not singing the pitch accurately- you are either “flat” (too low) or “sharp” (too high).  Often singers who belt with too much chest voice sing flat-a common result of carrying too much weight up and reaching for high notes. The solution is to use less air pressure and volume, so you can find and develop the “middle voice”.

Similarly, pushing too hard can cause you to go sharp when too much air blasts against the cords. The solution is to achieve balance and coordination at lower volumes using less air pressure, and then slowly increase volume levels as your voice develops.

I occasionally work with singers in my studio who are “pitch- challenged”- that is, they cannot seem to match pitch at all.  Learning to sing in tune is more challenging for these folks, but it can be done.  Interestingly, many of these types of singers are also challenged when it comes to rhythm and find it difficult to know when to come in on a phrase of a song.

Ear training and rhythm training can be taught.  What may seem second nature to those who have been around music throughout their lives may seem like a foreign language to those who have not had exposure to music in school from a young age.  Students who have general music classes in grade school, and who have chorus and band opportunities in junior high and high school, find rhythm and pitch infinitely less challenging than  students who have not had such exposure.  The fact that music has been eliminated from many schools is a travesty.

Singing “in tune”, also known as “good intonation” is a foundational aspect of vocal production.  Singing even slightly sharp or flat is likely to create the “cringe effect” in your listener.

Investing in regular voice lessons, recording yourself and listening back analytically for pitch, and putting in time at the piano or in lessons, with basic interval and ear training exercises are essential to building musicianship for singers.  After all, the voice is an instrument and the singer is a musician, and musical skills for all musicians are developed with consistent practice.  Many people mistakenly think that singing is “natural” and you either have a voice or you don’t.  Nothing could be further from the truth; singers need to develop musicianship skills, just as all musicians do. Your vocal coordination will improve as you practice vocal exercises, and your voice will be able to negotiate the desired pitches more efficiently and with more agility. Studying an instrument such as piano or guitar, and taking ear training and theory lessons from a qualified teacher will also help your ability to hear pitch.

For professional singing lessons in the Atlanta, Marietta and Alpharetta GA  area, or to register for voice training online by skype, facetime, or speakerphone,  please visit the website at www.singlikeastar.com, and click on the GET STARTED tab to register for a professional vocal evaluation and consultation.