“Anyone can sing”

Paw loved music, but could not sing! A good friend at their school who became a music critic (so knows whereof he speaks) used to tease him affectionately that he could only sing two notes - singing the one until it occurred in the music, at which point he would switch to the other!
Paw took no offence and, a regular churchgoer, used to join lustily in the hymns, offering what he used to call “a joyful sound unto the Lord”. Happy memories.

Actually, not everyone can sing - I can't because for the last 10 years I have had a laryngeal condition which means that even talking is difficult - so singing is totally off the agenda! I would really love to, especially carols at Christmas.

I have produced two excellent singers, but sadly that gift has bypassed me. I can just about sing without scaring the horses if I’m standing next to someone who’s a good singer, but I’m not good at holding a tune otherwise.

I think "growler" sums up my voice perfectly. Can't sing anything in tune even the national anthem. I would sing along quite happily at my children's Carol concerts but I never made a sound. I watched this programme and thought they were all brave to stand in front of an audience regardless of their talent. The young man with Tourettes brought tears to my eyes.

It is the same with sport, though. At school I didn’t mind sport and PE until I discovered I was no good at it, never got picked for teams, never won any awards ( stickers had not been invented).
I am sure we would all agree that there are different levels, in any activity, and it should be possible to find a group, choir, club, whatever, to suit our level, be it a community choir, fun chorus, or auditioned chamber choir.
There is a very small number of people who cannot hold a tune at all. My music teacher called them Growlers! Many more people could sing better with a bit of guidance and encouragement.

Well done V3ra.

I can't sing, and was told so as a child. So rude and upsetting and it's spoilt lots of events for me over my lifetime.

Recently a four year old I look after kept coming home from pre-school with a sticker but the three year old didn't.
Four year old told me he got it for good singing but the other boy didn't get one because he's not a good singer. The look of hurt and confusion on this poor child's face was a red rag to a bull for me.

I spoke to the staff at pre-school and said that while I agreed the four year old has a lovely natural singing voice, which he certainly does, at this age they should all be getting a sticker for taking part and joining in.

I could sing and was in a lovely choral society but haven't been able to since having C-19 in the first wave. I practise a bit and hope it may come back.

I think if someone enjoys singing, they should sing. How cruel of others to shut down someone else's enjoyment.

As you will see from my name I am quite interested in singing! I could go on for hours and hours about the harm the dreadful things that happened to people when in school caused by being told they could not and should not sing. We started a community choir in our town which will celebrate ten years of existence in the Autumn. I would guess that about 50% of our singers thought they could not sing until they came to sing with us. Watch this programme - it is brilliant. However, Opera is not the only kind of singing. Find your local community choir and JOIN!

I’ve not dared sing since I was 10 and removed from the school choir. On telling my family my grandfather likened me to a creaky door. It’s been a real sadness and I’m very envious of anyone singing for the sheer joy of it.

I did watch the first episode and enjoyed it. Our school choir mistress didn’t allow me into the choir so I gave up then. Now I have plucked up courage to go with a local group of older ladies who have a very casual sing along to tapes and we really enjoy it. I’ve also joined another choir where we are being taught pleasantly but properly with three layers. The teacher has three different choirs rehearsing the same songs with a view to putting on a concert soon. We had a rehearsal of all 100 members recently and it was so enjoyable and good fun! Almost everyone would say that they can’t sing but we can together. I did try a more serious choir but that wasn't for me. So possibly everyone CAN sing if you get the right atmosphere.

I’m sorry Nandalot, but I can’t stop laughing ?

Yes i agree anyone can sing,albeit good or bad.
That wasn`t very kind of your teacher Nandalot.
I love to sing when i`m alone in the car,makes me happy.

People think I'm messing about when I try to sing.
My voice is monotone, however much i try.

At primary school, in front of the whole school, the teacher stopped the singing and said there was a terrible noise coming from somewhere. She gradually closed down the singers until she came to me. I was the terrible noise. I was told I must never sing in assembly again, just mouth the words! How cruel.