Expert: Gisele Afeche - 7/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
For the last however many months i have had a strong passion to learn to sing opera.  My favourite opera singers are Lesley Garratt and Katherine Jenkins.  However when i try and sing opera, i cannot do it, i do not have the gift.  When i try and sing a normal type of song i can hear a slight rasp in my voice which prevents me from making some of the notes clear, and when i try to sing opera i cannot get any of the notes.  Is it possible to train to get that type of voice?  I would love to know because it is a strong passion of mine!

Thank You for any help and advice you can give me!

ANSWER: Dear Kerri

Thank you for your question.

I need to ask you some questions in return: How old are you? Do you smoke? Have you ever had vocal training?

If you want to sing opera you need vocal training (singing lessons), it is not something you have naturally (you can have it to a degree but then you need to work on it).

I advise you to look for a good singing teacher, get some singing lessons and see what she/he says.

Please don't hesitate to contact me for further information.

Gisele

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again,
I am 17, I do not smoke and I have never had any training due to finances.  Thank you for your advice though it helped because I always felt that I had to have some natural tone to be able to start singing like that!

Thank You very muck
Kerri

Answer
Hi, at 17 you are young enough to start training. It is a hard path but worth it.

I asked if you smoked because sometimes it can cause the rasp you talked about.

I advise you to get proper training, it might cost a bit bit it is essential.

Wish you all the best

Gisele