According to those ‘in the business’…very few people are truly tone-deaf – those who couldn’t carry a tune in a basket? Therefore, you might ask, “But what about the truly tone-deaf?” In fact, less than 2 percent of humans are actually tone-deaf.
Kindergarteners, unsurprisingly, cannot hit the notes very accurately, but by the the sixth grade, they are markedly better – because the children had been receiving music education in the intervening time. In another study college-aged participants performed only as well as the kindergarteners on two of the three singing tasks.
There are people who are just naturally more gifted, when it comes to particular instruments like the piano or the violin. Singing is very different as everyone can produce a sound. Even if people don’t learn the technique behind how to sing, you use your voice for the purpose of speech. Therefore, everyone’s reasonably adept at controlling it. The key thing which separates good singers from bad isn’t so much natural talent, but getting the training to use it in the right way.
The psychology connected with singing can make a very big difference. Singing is one musical talent that doesn’t require a hefty price-tag. We are all born with an instrument in tow, but how well we can utilize it is a different matter. We use it every day for communication, but not all of us sing. Anyone who can speak can also learn to sing. Practice, practice, and more practice along with the right knowledge and tools to master your craft. Like learning to play any other instrument, singing is a skill that you can go from beginner to pro in.
You know the famous old question,
“How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”
The answer is, “Practice, practice, practice.”
So, even though we may all be able to carry a tune in a basket,
the key is to begin learning early
and practice, practice, practice.