Singing: Mythbusted! 5 Common Singing Myths That Are Way Off Key
- Mayank Mittal
- Jul 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Singing is an art form that has been around for thousands of years (I have got a book suggestion for you if the idea of seeing music from the lens of how it shaped human civilisation tickles your fancy, check book recommendations at the end of this blog). Getting back, It has been used by people around the globe to… OKAY STOP!
Before it starts sounding like a wikipedia article, I, Eternalramblings, must get into the shoes of famous Mythbusters and debunk some of those sticky myths that have survived even now and that hold you back from being the superstar that you are! Let’s bust these 5 myths today:
Myth 1: You have to be born with a good singing voice.
Fact: Pfft! If this were true, then I must have been born with a voice that can shatter glass. But no, even I had to learn to sing by practicing (and buying earplugs for my neighbors). I spend hours refining my singing. Most of it was through self learning and self study before I even got some professional help. it’s never a gift, and always a skill that needs effort. So, remember, you will have to put in those hours. After you have done it, don’t fight people when they compliment you on your voice and call it a gift, God’s gift or something else. Always accept the compliment with an open heart and a genuine smile, they mean well. You can brag about your training hours filled with blood, sweat and tears with me.
Myth 2: Singing loudly means you're a good singer.
Fact: Sure, I am a naturally loud singer and that never made me amazing when I started, instead it was me learning how to control my voice better and play with volume in-tune with the emotion of the song that usually did the trick. Singing loudly can impress your friends and neighbors, maybe, but it won't make you a good singer. You might even end up sounding like a cat being dragged across a chalkboard. Shivers! So, focus on technique instead of volume. I had to learn this the hard way, I’ll still get an occasional comment on the socials, accusing me of screaming, instead of getting enraged, it acts as a reminder to me about the importance of control over volume.
Myth 3: You have to sing in a certain genre or style to be good.
Fact: Who says you can't sing metal while wearing a Pyjama? Or sing opera while wearing a cowboy hat? You do you, I surely have done a lot of the weird ones already, I you know you know, so find your own way and let your unique style shine through your singing. There are no restrictions on genre, create your own or blend them all into a smoothie. Doesn’t matter. As long as you are enjoying and are able to express yourself, that is all that matters. KAPOW! is now hailed as The Comic Rock Band of India among other things, so break rules, it’s always better.
Myth 4: Singing is only for solo performers.
Fact: Haha, being the frontman for KAPOW!, I can tell you, the most memorable performances in my life have always been when my entire band has been harmonising and singing with me like we planned. And even though you can produce practically everything these days, nothing compares to singing and making music with a group of musicians and singing with your band mates exploring harmonies. Singing in a group like a choir can be just as fun, and you don't have to carry the burden of hitting all the high notes. Plus, group singing can be a great way to make new friends (and enemies, if you're not a great singer or just an ass) and the composition and arrangement can be so much better than if you were just one solo singer trying to sing all the things. This is coming from a raging introvert (at-least offstage) to work together in a team, trying to do everything on your own is a recipe for failure.
Myth 5: Singing is only for people with a lot of free time.
Fact: If you are learning singing only to sing once or twice, sure learning singing can be a huge commitment but who needs free time when you can sing while doing daily tasks? Sing in the shower, sing while cooking dinner, sing while stuck in traffic (just don't get too distracted or your family will hold me responsible for your untimely demise and I am not ready for it). But, if you wish take on the stage one day, sing for millions and make music, then all of this hardwork developing your voice is something you must do (here, in Eternalramblings’ universe, there are no shortcuts). Now, even if you are learning singing just as a hobby, it is a great stress reliever, so go ahead and belt out your favorite tunes whenever you can.
Conclusion
To sum it up, singing myths are like those notes in the seventh register that some of you desperately try to sing – they're overrated and not worth stressing over. So, grab a microphone (or a hairbrush if you want) and let your voice be heard, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Sing like nobody's listening, and have fun!
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