Singing is truly one of the purest forms of expression, and I believe that people, young or old, skilled or not, can sing. If you have the vocal cords and diaphragm and can talk, then you can sing!
We make the same sounds every day: “Hello, Bob!” (someone yelling across the park), “Ouch!” (an unfortunate Bandaid incident); “Breast!?” (a child screaming around the house). All these everyday noises are applicable to singing. All the muscles we use on a daily basis are applicable to singing: the muscles of laughter, the muscles of shouting, the inhalation and exhalation of air through the lungs, the jaw, and the muscles of the mouth. They are all there and ready to go! All one has to do is think about extending the pitch. Take a big breath and say, “Baaaaaaaahb” (Bob, extended) and move your voice up and down as if it were a question, then a statement, then a warning.
All we really have to do is become more aware of those muscles that we use on a daily basis when we talk, speak, laugh, breathe, cough, and so many other things. Then we can start to control those muscles and use them to sing, and sing with confidence!
The most unfortunate thing in the world is when someone is told to stop singing because they have been told they are deaf. There may be some who really can’t, but I think most are not given the chance to learn how easy it is. And of course, the moment someone is put down for their underbelly of human expression, that person hates to do it again, especially in front of someone!
Babies are wonderful singers! They have an incredible range of tones. The next time you’re with a friend who’s having a baby or if you have one of your own, listen to all the amazing singing noises they can make. We don’t really change much as adults, we just forget that we still have all the tools available to us, every day!
Also pay attention to your own voice when in natural situations. You will find that you can make more singing sounds than you thought. Every inflection of everyday speech can be used, sustained, and made into a beautiful song. All you have to do is know that you already have all your tools.
Singing is as old as our language and our ability to speak. We have been singing our stories for tens of thousands of years and no one should be told not to.
It is part of the soul, part of the language of the universe. Whether in a shower, on top of a mountain, in the privacy of your sacred garden, with a collection of like-minded singers, in your church, at your school, in the sea at night, sailing under the stars, or anywhere place where I can imagine… just sing and all the ether will vibrate with you.
2012 Bobby Jo Curley