AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Question Hi, I'm 18 and I really badly want to be a classical singer. I started taking lessons for the first time about 3 months ago but now that I'm starting to sing songs rather than scales I have realised that my actual voice is not very nice to listen to. It kind of sounds like I'm trying to sing with a cold or a blocked nose or something! I don't know how this is possible but it sounds nasal and dopey and the same time! It's really upsetting me though because I'm starting to think it will stop me from ever being a successful singer. Do you think this problem can be fixed with training? Also, my singing voice is exactly the same as my talking voice, so I don't think it's because I'm putting on a weird sound. Sorry for the length of this and thanks very much for your advice.
Answer Hi Liz,
Have you discussed this with your teacher? Are you working with a well-known teacher who has a lot of experience? What does he/she say about your progress and about your voice? Usually when you start working with a teacher they will give their thoughts about your voice and where they think you should be heading.. what you should be learning and working on.
Has he/she talked about the fact that you sing through your nose (that is the sound comes more from the nose and you don't have your throat opened)?
Sometimes it takes a while to improve the vocal quality - especially if there are some problems. If you speak nasally then you should work with the teacher (or a speech therapist) to learn how to get your voice out of your nose and begin to use the throat and chest resonances.
This is definitely learnable.. but you should discuss your feelings with your teacher - if you are hearing this on the tape then your teacher should be hearing it in the lessons. If you don't think you are progressing or you don't like your teachers' response - then perhaps you should look around for another teacher - get some other opinions.
Learning how to sing is about learning how to breathe, support the sound, and opening up the throat and understanding how to make all of the muscles work well without tension.
Speak to your teacher and then let me know what he/she says. And don't forget - your are 18 - PLENTY of time to learn!!
