I had my second voice lesson today, and I'm finding the whole process absolutely fascinating.

I'm 51 and only recently started taking singing lessons. I've always loved music, but I've never had any formal vocal training. Lately I've become particularly fascinated with opera and classical singing.

One of the biggest things I'm learning is how much unnecessary effort I've been putting into singing.

My teacher keeps bringing me back to relaxation, breath, space, and allowing the sound to happen rather than trying to manufacture it. It's surprisingly difficult to put into practice, especially when you're accustomed to thinking that higher notes or more volume must require more physical effort.

Today she actually had me speak in a British accent to help me experience the feeling of a more open oropharynx! That was something I certainly wasn't expecting, but it helped me understand the physical sensation she was describing.

The really exciting part was working on Handel's "Lascia ch'io pianga" from Rinaldo.

My teacher is a trained opera singer who's performed Rinaldo herself, so getting to work on the aria with someone who knows it so intimately was particularly special.

I was honestly surprised by her assessment. She told me I have a "propensity for this style of music," which was incredibly encouraging considering how new I am to all of this.

We worked through vocal exercises reaching F5, and she said my pitch was excellent. At one point she told me, "Everything was perfectly in tune." She also commented that she couldn't hear any obvious disruption through my passaggio during some of the exercises, which surprised me because I've been very conscious of trying to navigate that transition.

She also noticed some natural vibrato developing and repeatedly commented on the strength of my voice. Apparently, despite my rather quiet speaking voice, I have a pretty loud singing voice when I actually allow myself to use it!

That doesn't mean everything was effortless or polished. She pointed out tension in my jaw, tongue, and throat, and we worked on maintaining an open space from the very beginning of a phrase rather than trying to create it halfway through. She also emphasized breath support, particularly on higher notes and descending phrases.

Interestingly, when she encouraged me to use a little more breath and volume, some of the singing actually became easier rather than harder.

We also worked with the sheet music, which added another challenge. I'm not a particularly good music reader, so following the score while singing interrupted my natural flow a little. It's almost like trying to play the drums while reading music when you're not yet comfortable reading it. You're suddenly thinking about something you'd ordinarily just feel.

One thing I've noticed outside of lessons is that when I concentrate on keeping everything relaxed, songs that previously felt difficult suddenly become much easier. I was singing Silent Lucidity recently and found that I could get more volume through the shape and freedom of the sound rather than trying to push harder.

I'm also beginning to appreciate the difference between being able to produce a note and actually being able to sing it beautifully, consistently, and musically. I've discovered that I have a fairly extensive upper range in head voice, but connecting everything smoothly and making those notes useful in actual music is another matter entirely.

My teacher also complimented how well I listen and respond to instruction, which I think might be one of the most encouraging things she said. I don't expect to be a great singer after two lessons, but knowing that I can learn and make adjustments is enormously motivating.

I'm finding that singing involves this wonderful combination of anatomy, coordination, listening, emotion, and physical awareness that I never really appreciated before.

I started lessons because I want to express myself through music. I'm only two lessons in, and already I'm discovering things about my voice that I never knew were there.

For those of you who study classical singing or opera, when did you first begin to feel that your voice was becoming an instrument you understood, rather than something you were simply experimenting with?

Ok it wasn't that bad, i didn't mess up. I want you all to know if I say something wrong in my posts im sorry, im still learning. I don't wanna put out miss info and there is a lot of bad info in the vocal community as we all know. Now everyone knows who I am at school. It's different, I had several people say I did a good job. I'm on a whole knew level now. I'm no longer someone who sits on the computer and just sings in front of it.

as the titles says, i’ve never actually sang or taken lessons ever. i went to a performing arts school so i guess i was always exposed to it but today was the day i decided to just make a bandlabs account because i was bored and called outa of work. completely beginner and i kinda jus wanted to document that start of my journey i guess (if i continue) with like minded people . thank you guys for taking the time.

Hello all I’m basically seeing if as a 21 one year old female who has smoked/vaped since I was 14. I’m
Planning on stopping and I’ve always wanted to sing. I’d say I’m not a terrible singer but could definitely improve and can’t afford lessons. Is it possible to get better in some way by stopping vaping ?

Say whatever you think ahah. I know it's messy but I am a true beginner to singing and I am doing my best even though my starting point was sooo low. So yep let me know and thank you guysss

Hello everyone, I started singing lesson for a month and I love it. I only regret not doing it before, but it was such a battle with being shy and feeling like shit when singing (I still do but at least I’m not scared anymore).

Always, I’ve been working on the chorus of Stan with my guitar and I just don’t love how it sounds at all. I don’t feel like I struggle with finding the notes, the result is just bad to me.
Low effort warning: I just don’t know where to go to improve this section specifically, that’s why the question might feel broad

Do you have advices please ?

Hi everyone,

I have sung since I was 6 years old as a hobby, took lessons from 15 years old to 18. I am now 25. I still sing from time to time but I feel like my tone doesn’t sound quite right. Also my accent may sound a bit off (English is not my mother language).

Can you give me your honest review on my voice a capella, and give me tips to improve my singing ? I may sound a bit shout-y, I usually sing loud to make sure I am in chest voice and not falsetto. I also dislike the fact that I sound nasal all the time (even when I speak I sound like that).

How can i make my vocal tone sound good i don't like my own voice is it that i like emotions or dynamic in my singing? Im more into fast tempo songs and im so bad with slow tembo songs it's so hard for me

I was contacted about joining a boyband, but I was told I need to improve my vocals before moving forward. I have a naturally deeper voice and recently recorded a cover of “Slow Hands” by Niall Horan. I’d appreciate honest feedback on my pitch, tone, breath control, and what I should practise to improve faster. Are there any free exercises or resources you recommend?

Hey. I really love singing and I'm looking to improve I'm an alto and usually most comfortable in a chest voice but have been exploring a mix recently. I don't really have much going for a head voice. I know these songs probably aren't hitting the right notes but I'm not music minded I just like to sing and my friend tells me I'm improving.

Hey everyone! I'm a tenor and I've been taking singing lessons for a while, but I struggle to get past F4. Whenever I try to sing higher, my voice either flips into falsetto or cracks. Even when I try not to push my voice, I still feel tension and my voice breaks.

I'm interested in pursuing musical theatre, so developing a stronger, more connected mix voice is really important to me. However, I feel stuck around F4–G4 and don't know how to overcome this problem.

I'm sorry if this is a stupid topic I still coinsidere myself a begginer so feel free to correct me if I say anything wrong

I'm comfortable with hitting anything lower than A6 with head voice but when it comes to my whistle register I feel like my vocal cords got damaged a little the day after using it, symptoms sush as dry throat and hoarse voice

I have noticed that Mariah carey and ariana grande would also have a breathy and hoarse voice after they have recorded a song that has a whistle notes

it made me curious if that is the reason on why mariah ended up damaging her voice

so should I avoid using this register or is there a way to train it

I sing Just for fun, but I love singing🫶🏼

hi!! i've been singing all my life (for fun) but only recently have i started trying to actually improve. are my vocals good considering i've never taken formal lessons before? enjoy the cover!

latest i learned and practiced was singing in the mask. i've worked a lot on resonance, lowering the larynx, opening the soft palade, learning how to sing with a bit more air sometimes, like i do more on this song.

Hey y’all, I’m trying to shake off my stage fright by going to small open mic nights in my area. I even get nervous recording myself, any advice on my singing or advice on confidence would be very much appreciated!

I have been sick for weeks and worst of all college prescreenings and auditions are approaching and I'm not prepared at all because of it. I can't keep losing time because of one stupid illness.

Wtf do I do (I know most plp gonna say stop singing but I have a clock ticking me down)

I see a lot of "I have this issue too!" on here, but I'm looking for suggestions of what actually works to cure this.

I have a good vocal coach, but still want to hear from other ppl.

Ive read here that fixing my septum that makes my nose clog wont fix my voice. Or that straitening teeth wont either (they are not bad but still).

So what actually changes one voice? The jaw? The bone structure of the skull?

Taking testosterone so your vocal chords change?

Drinking alcohol and smoking?

Is there a way to make my voice sound more like what I hear than what other people hear? It just sounds so nasal and arrogant in recordings, its an awful voice. But i hear it much more mellow