Sing in tune

Hi Camille

I'm just getting started with your course and enjoying knowing you from my side of the screen.

When I saw your preview you mentioned something along the line of everybody can sing which is the promise I love.  If you can believe it I'm trying to learn to sing at 77.  As a grammer school kid I was told I couldn't carry a tune and shuffled off to speaking only parts in school plays.  I've been emarrassed about it ever since and always avoided singing situations.  
I love music and I'm not tone deaf.  In fact I'm studing guitar with Guitar Tricks and surprising myself with the progress I'm making.  But truth is I can't hear a note and match it with my vloice.  I tried one of these pitch matching apps (Ear Master)and was never able to hear a piano note and match it more than 50% of the time. I can find it and match it on my guitar however.  I don't have any singing ambitions other than singing along with the music I'm making, just entertaining myself.  Maybe if I improve I'd like to entertain my family.

So as I go through the lesson materials I see nothing that addresses matching pitch and I'm wondering if by doing all the lessons per your speific instructions will I be able to actually learn to sing in tune?  Pick up the guitar and sing along with Eric Clapton as I play one of his songs?

Would most appreciate any encouragement and understanding you can share.

You can email me at [email protected] .  My name is Wayne Robinson

I really do enjoy your lessons and wish you all the best!

Hi, Wayne!

It's true that online video lessons assume you can match pitch. For that reason, I recommend you supplement with an ear training app or chromatic tuner. You could play a pitch on the guitar (as long as you know what the pitch letter name is), and then see how close you come with the tuner. You might also play a pitch on piano, see how close you get with the tuner, and use the guitar if necessary. Most voice lessons use piano, which is why I encourage you to incorporate it!

It's great that you can match pitch with the guitar, though - keep using that! Here's an article with more ideas for ear training: https://www.30daysinger.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-you-re-singing-in-tune-using-free-websites-apps-to-improve-your-pitch-accuracy. 

I do plan to record a "matching pitch for beginners" tutorial for the site - it's just been delayed with us recording from home during the pandemic!

Thank you for your kind words!

Thank you again Camille for your response.  I watched your video blog and I'm taking your advice and buying a piano keyboard.  I'm dead serious about learning to sing in tune and puzzled over why it's so hard for me and seemingly so natural for others.  

I very much look forward to your upcoming video and hope you are able to get back to the studio before long.  Things are opening up quite a bit here in Atlanta and wish the same for you.

I've stumbled on a drill on my own where I use my acoustic guitar (electric seems less pure) and start on the low end of the A string (fits my range) and go all the way up the misical alphabet trying to match each note with my voice.  When the two sounds blend into one is when I believe I'm on key.  You think this is a good approach?  And one to continue when I get the keyboard?  

I really do appreciate your help and advice.

My best to you!

Wayne Robinson

That sounds like a great exercise! That "blending into one" or "unison" is exactly what we're aiming for.

And yes, I'd definitely transfer the same exercise to piano, since it's a bit easier to keep track of what octave you're singing in with the keyboard. Either way, it's a good exercise to familiarize yourself with the different registers of your voice!