POV

Got a Voice .. then LET IT OUT
by RoXi (http://www.roxi.me.uk)

of RoXi and the Blue Cats (www.bluecats.co.uk)

Singing is such an expressive art form and one that virtually everyone can experience, regardless of whether it is for fun or as a serious career. I hear so many people with great natural untrained voices, not just in clubs and pubs, but singing as they do chores around the house, in the park, in the office during breaks, in playgrounds with their friends.

 

So why do we do it?

 

Like many forms of music, singing has been medically proven to enhance your mood and is a theraputic way to release tension, cope with stress, improve memory and counteract depression. It even aids understanding mathematics, improves timing and increases vocabulary! Whoah .. that sounds like a cure all!! Ok so maybe not a cure all ... but certainly a fun and useful activity that anyone CAN do, regardless of how pretty or in tune they sound.

 

Learning to sing, however, can be an expensive and time consuming process which can be off putting to those on a budget or who just want to have a blast at the local karaoke bar and after all, if you can belt out a few notes, then why bother taking the time to train?

 

The majority of individuals who sing on an occasional basis, will never require training, although a jaunt to a local choir, music group or karaoke night to sing for fun might improve their tuning and introduce them to a world of new friends! For those who sing on a regular basis, or who seek a career as a vocalist, then learning to sing in a healthy manner is essential! Depending on the level of experience and technical ability you want to attain, this may take a few lessons with a good teacher or a lifetime of constant training, but whatever path you choose, it will always mean doing something that isn't as much fun as just letting the notes soar!

 

In this reality star driven world, becoming a singer has become something for people to aspire to, albeit, not always for the right reasons but the reality is that singing is and always has been a creative outlet. It costs nothing to do and can make you feel great!

 

So regardless of your circumstances, let your voice be heard and SING!

Useful Resources and Links

 

Vocalist.org.uk - Singers Resource
http://www.vocalist.org.uk

 

Singing Teachers Worldwide Directory
http://www.singing-teachers.co.uk

 

Lung Patients Get Singing Therapy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8085201.stm

 

Singing Rewires Damaged Brain
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8526699.stm

 

Singing On Prescription?
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176316.php

 

School Singing can boost children's well being
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12392742

 

 

 POV is a new column that will appear whenever we get one in.  Basically it's a column written by a musician about whatever subject they want to.  Our inaugural column is written by RoXi of RoXi and the Blue Cats and we thank her for taking the time to be the first of what will hopefully be many more columns to come.  If you're a musician and would like to do a POV column drop us an email at JohnH985@yahoo.com.