When you were in school, and most probably when in primary school, were you put off singing? Did someone tell you to stand at the back of the class during assembly or a music lesson because they decided you were ‘tone deaf’? And did that episode put you off singing for life? You are not alone – the population seems to be divided into singers and non-singers. The former join choirs and may even perform solo; the latter are condemned to silence. They miss out on the joy of singing, and all the psychological benefits. Now, in your retirement, it’s time to rediscover your voice, and all the satisfaction that goes with using it to sing.
It would be impossible to play the piano or blow a trumpet if you did not possess the appropriate instrument. But everyone has the singing instrument, the larynx. It is situated at the top of the windpipe under the chin. Inside are the vocal chords which are used to make sounds when we are talking or singing. We all have them. If you put a hand on your larynx and hum or talk, you will feel the vibrations of the vocal chords. You make sounds when you speak.
Moreover, when you speak you control the sounds you make. Think about that. I am sure that you don’t speak in a monotone – remember the daleks? We will eliminate you. When in conversation you change the pitch of your voice (up or down) to add emphasis to your message. You can control your voice and that is what singing is mostly about. More than that, you can make your voice sound louder or softer, which is also an important part of singing.
So you have the singing instrument, you use it to speak, and you use the pitch and volume of your voice to express yourself when in conversation. If you are not convinced try the following:
Say MA Now extend it: MA A A A You have just sung a note!
Now add some emphasis: Turn the MA into a question: MA A A? Note how the end of the word goes up in pitch. Now say it with disgust: MA A A! This time the sound of the word goes down in pitch. Whether you believe it or not, you have the power to control the sound of your voice, and that is what singing is all about. More next time.
Renaissance not Retirement 