I did something wonderful last weekend! Bear with me as I explain why I’m sharing this and why I think it benefits you. See, in my teens I waterskied a handful of times, and I remember it as being so unbelievably fun. But in almost 30 years I hadn’t done it. Until last weekend....
But was I even going to be able to get up out of the water? What if I fell all the time?
Yup that’s me in the picture. What was also so much fun was how well it went. I popped up on my first attempt and was slaloming as if it was 30 years ago. And, boy, did I feel good afterwards!
As a side note I should mention something you may not know, and that is that I always cheat.
I’m kidding of course when I say “cheat”, but the truth is that it wasn’t the first time in 30 years at all. I had practiced several times the day before, and on the boat ride – even while my kids were trying to psyche me out. Yes, I had practiced in my head.
Well talk more about the art of visualization and mental preparation another time though. The reason I mention this event is because of this email I received:
"Per, I appreciate your emails, but I have a problem. I used to sing solos many, many years ago, but haven’t sung much lately. The problem is that I am 65 hears old, and although I love the idea of being able to sing again, it is probably too late."
There is no denying that there are many physical changes in our body as we age. There is no denying that we lose muscles strength and flexibility. However, too often we make "age" the culprit - or the excuse, if you will. Realize that many young people - even kids - also run into voice and other physical problems. So although there are certainly things we will never be able to do as well as we once did, it is certainly never too late to have fun. It is never too late to do activities that inspire us and make us energetic and vibrant. It is never too late to learn and develop.
You should know that although we don’t keep track of the ages of our members of The Singing Zone, there are many who are well into their 70s and 80s who have spontaneously written and expressed their gratitude and joy.
The Singing Zone is not a program where a certain age or skill is a prerequisite. Although many professional and semi-professionals are members, there are just as many who have never sung before. Since we are about developing awareness and taking you from where you are to where you want to go, your level or age is really irrelevant. Singing is indeed for everyone.
I remember I felt I was “too old” when I was 26. Old or young is really a mental state. As our bodies transform our minds transform, we find new activities that inspire us. Singing is one of those activities that has no age limit, unless we are judging they way we sound towards some limiting ideal. My grandmother starting painting well into her 60s, my dad still sings in the choir. There have been studies that have shown incredible improvement among 80 year olds who started weight training, and we can go on and on.
What do you think a 100-year-old would think when a 65 year old kid talks about things being too late? Take a look at this video of Roger Gentilhomme one day after he turns a 100 years old and then post your comment below.
but its got nothing to do with singing! none of this has, god this site is frustrating, I got the videos and boy are they not helpful, this is about SINGING for petes sake, not tennis or bloody water skiing, far out!!
I’m sorry per, your obviously a nice guy but wow this site is not helpful for singers!! once you get into puberty your voice changes and your stuck with it, you can sing freely but will have trouble developing a sound after it.
please talk about singing for future singer, I’m not coming to this site anymore.
Thanks for that ! I will turn 45 in a couple of months, and I wondered if I was EVER going to get those high c-s back, haha. That`s really encouraging:)
Great blog Per!
Paul, it has everything to do with singing! You have to understand that things are all connected-it is about the learning – whatever the subject is. Per is brilliant to weave in other matters in his blog. You have to be more open or you’ll never get where you want!
Cheers,
Cam
Hello Per,
I have been watching your posts for a while now, waiting for the $$$ to buy one of your lesson kits. This is my first post and it’s in response to Paul who thinks it’s ridiculous to talk about sports. I have had previous vocal teaching, and one of the things that she had all of her students do is walk around the room with books on your head, or do the backstroke with your arms all while singing. Another things she used to tell us is that ANYONE who has a normal speaking voice can learn to sing. Per, I know you don’t get discouraged by others easily, so again this is more for him for encouragement to listen to the out of the ordinary things. Who knows, it could make him a great singer. hehe
Thanks folks,
No I don’t get discouraged easily, and I seldom delete posts. However, there is a limit, and Paul’s was so off topic that it has been removed. I don’t want you to be sucked in by the negativity and feel you need to come to my defense. So now that we can be positive, let’s hear your comments. Thanks all!
Per,
I am 66 and a blues rocker. I have learned more about singing from your program than over 50 years of performing.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Wayne Young
My childhood dream was to ride with the cowboys but girls were not allowed. I am 65 and a volunteer in Brazil. And I ride from 4 to 10 hours with the cowboys, herding cattle. I also started singing again when I joined a church whose main way of worshipping is singing. We often sing from five to eight hours. I could not do it at first but within a few trys was singing again. Now I want to learn to sing much better, just for my own pleasure and to praise the Lord. We are never too old to live our dreams. When I quit my job seven years ago and walked away from the GOOD LIFE to live in the jungles of Brazil, people thought I was nuts. I have never been happier and never regretted my decision. Live your dream and anything is possible. hugs, pat
Hi–I’m a young looking 72 yr. old recent luekemia survivor (in remission but still taking oral chemo medications) and have recently re-started taking private voice lessons. I love music and have always sung wherever I lived and in all my readings about surviving cancer, or anything, it says do things that your love–make you want to get up each day. Keep active and exercise-eat well. I knew all that,but it is medically documented to keep the badies at bay.You’re never too old to start something. It’s not always as easy as it was before, but nothing’s impossible. Thanks Peter for your positive, holistic approach. Gratefully, Bev
Thank-you so much for sharing the story of Mr Gentilhomme. It was just the inspiration I needed. I gave up a wonderful singing opportunity when I was 17. I had a recording contract with a small Spanish company while living in Madrid (my dad was military.) It was so awesome. I never thought I was “giving up” singing but the struggles of life made it so. At 57, the recurring depression over choices I’ve made, has smothered any desire to sing. The belief in myself to do so was non-existent. Then I found Per’s site & ordered the 4 DVD set & intend to use it with my 9 yr old daughter (who loves to sing!) Reading this 100 year old man’s story & hearing his winning attitude has truly convinced me that I am only too old IF I believe that I am too old. I now say that I am NOT too old! I am going to sing again! Thank-you Pers!
Thank you for your encouragement. I am 45. I wish all instructors had your view. Personally, I think I bring an energy and personality to the stage that only comes through life experience.
I am 76, never been a singer. I just want to be able to sing in church and not be chased out onto the street Just getting started with lessons and feel good.
Hi Per…You asked for things people have become aware of; My cat taught me to exercise ! At 18 years, he went galloping across the yard and up a tree ! and amazed, I said to myself, “Wow ! I’m not supposed to lie around, either ! So I started to take classes at the local “Y”. That was about 30 years ago, and now I also go the weight room and use the equipment and the free-weights. It feels great to be fit and energized, and I thank that dear old cat, who is now long-gone, but alive in my memory; he died at 22.
Mr.Gentilhomme is also a great role-model.
Metje
I learned to sing harmony in the church choir growing up, sang with a semi professional group The Christmas and Spring Revels in Cambridge Mass in my 30s and not much after that. Three years ago I started attending a folk music evening in England where I now live, having enjoyed British folk music for 30 years. I started singing solos, unaccompanied, and also am learning to play two new musical instruments and brush up on my guitar. I sing better than I ever did. The head of a local folk club came up to me after hearing me and said…”You are really good! I didn’t know you could do all that.” She started asking me to perform with her. I now sing at about 5 different clubs in Somerset, just floor spots as I’m still building up a solid repertoire. I know that I sing better than I’ve ever sung, and the secret is singing often, practicing as I go about my day so that the words are integrated, then the instrumentation. I’m 69 years old.
Jean Redpath is one of the greatest interpreters of Robert Burns music in Scotland and her voice has gotten better and better as she ages.
I started to learn to play fiddle when I was in my 30s. I gave up, telling myself I was too old. If I had kept on with it, I could play pretty well by now! Don’t talk yourself out of doing what you really want to do! Make it a priority!
Per: I am 65, female, and was a professional singer in a top-five opera company in the chorus. I have always been complimented for my beautiful voice. I am having problems now with pitch which my voice teacher says is not a “ear” issue but one of support. She always vocalizes me up to Bflat but I can’t do it on my own. The problems seems to be of stamina and giving up when things aren’t perfect. It’s OK when I’m with a teacher or coach, but I have the problems on my own. The perfectionism is very detrimental to my progress. I don’t have the pitch issues all the time and sometimes only certain intervals in either ascending or descending in a vocal line. I want to have hope that I can sing my favorite arias again with diligent practice. I’m my own worst critic. I now sing with a major symphony chorale but had an awful audition recently. I want to believe because I have sung all my life that I can continue. Many of your commenters are pop singers. I’d like to hear from some classical singers too.
Per: If you believe you’re too old to sing than you’ll be “too old” to sing. I am 60+ and started my own uke band 10 months ago and when our leader is absent I take the lead and this is not easy because I need to sing to lead–sometimes alone–so I’m taking your course to build up my voice muscles and develop my range and I believe my self assurance will build as well. I am concerned about what I can and might do and look to the moment and am amazed at those who resist giving voice and claim not to be “singers” because they have set up obstacles by becoming enmeshed in what they believe they cannot do. See it; hear it; believe it.
I am turning 62 in a few months. Do not have any voice lesson, can not read notes but love karaoke singing with relatives and friends. How can I improve my singing to sound like a professional.
Finding this site has been fun and interesting. I’m 75; sang a lot for forty years, choral and lots of solo – classical and church music. Got to sing with several major orchestras, and with major conductors. Loved the experience, though never studied music (half of Thompson piano, Book 1 when I was 10). Studied voice privately for four years with an ex professional whose husband taught conducting and directed the opera program at a major school of music. Enough – the point being, I got busy with a business career and raising a family, and didn’t sing for 20 years expcept for the occasional church solo with holiday oratorios and a couple of charity fund raisers. Retired a few years ago, am dealing with some ongoing health problems, but we’ve moved and gotten into a church that has a strong music program – so I’m back at it, chorally speaking. It’s amaziing how much capability I’ve lost, and a lot of that is, of course, physical. But musicality has suffered, too. Singing with the choir is helping me with that, but I’ve had to spend that last year doing “vocal reconstruction”. And here’s where I can enthusiastically endorse Bristow’s methods. Core concept for me, right now anyway, is “Sing with freedom.” Get out of your own way, and let ’em have it! It works in lots of things, but it’s basic in sports, and it works great for singing. It’s an important rehab tool for me, vocally, and it’ll be a lot of help in other ways too.
Gee! Enough said. Keep up the good work, Per, and best wishes to all. Have fun.
Chuck Luckenbill
My dear Per….
I am 77 years old and have been singing for as long as I can remember. Today’s generation now considers sex, drugs, rock and roll SCREAMING as music, which I will NEVER understand, but kids will ALWAYS be victims to big money. I have gotten some good points from you, and some of your methods have really worked for me. My karoake gigs to some nursing homes and adult care centers have been rewarding just from the smiling faces I see. After month 3, I’ll tell you more…
Hi Per,
As you know I am now 70, and since I spoke with you last have suddenly gone completely deaf in one ear and lost half the hearing in the other.
For the benefit of others I invested hundreds of pounds in Per’s Singing Zone with the individual
on line lessons when he was offering them. It was my absolute best 70 years old present and investment. My remit to Per was to keep me singing clearly in tune without a geriatric wobble until my toes turn up.
TThe lessons are fabulous and I, after 70 years can now reach a top B quite effortlessly in long heavy & high opera practices (Cav & Pag) & a choir.
As an oldie, singing with others has made feel stronger & fitter and even though tonight I am nearly stone deaf, my neighbours said my top notes & pitch are great! (I am a top soprano)
Thank you Per!
Bonus: after watching the four videos, my husband who insisted he could not sing, now joins me
Wish we’d met Per decades ago, but then of course he wasn’t born!!!
Next challenge is to find a banjo & sing folk songs in small evening gatherings (Think I could only handle 4 strings & I’ll need to turn my volume down!!!)
Per’s one to one lessons are enormous fun & we do lots of laughing as well as singing & he’s not the least bit scary. I recommend them. Sadly I’ve only one more to go.
Good luck all you oldies, never be embarassed by your age. Think young & you’ll make a young sound!
Best wishes and keep singing in to your 100s!
Catherine.
OOPs I made a mistake! I meant I would look for a mandolin(or ukelele) with four strings for oldies like me- NOT a banjo as they are too big to cart about and for an ex violin player have too many strings!
Catherine.
As a kid, I liked to sing, but didn’t have lessons. Mine was a large family and there wasn’t money for voice or instrument lessons. Now, in my 50s, I decided to go for it. I take voice and piano. My friends encourage me, and laugh, but they think it’s mostly just for “fun”. I do this to try to be as creative as possible in life. That’s really the most fun part of being in your 50’s. Now, I’m singing solos at church, not just singing in choir, and I do solo canting. A couple of weeks ago someone in the congregation sent me-basically, my first fan email! O.k., singing when my coworkers show up could be scary. I see now that singing is very much a mental game. It’s too easy to psych yourself out of doing anything! Go for it! It will be worse looking back on your life and knowing you didn’t try!
I should add–not everyone in my life supports what I do. My mother-in-law, concerned about age, finally said, “Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt”. That’s o.k. Sometimes your heart drives you past all that. People can be nice, maybe be supportive, or–they can just get out of the way. I like being able to mentally push past the people in the way.
Hi Per,
I am 64 years old and never sung in my life until I bought your program now my hubby and I sing 3 times a week and hold karaoke parties at our house we love it and it a wonderful feeling to receive the compliments and the clapping from our guests after the songs we sing, makes us feel good and young again, if we find a song we want to sing but are unsure of how it sounds we check out the song on youtube first and then sing it on our karaoke set up, we have a building on our property that we have turned into a night club and as we can only have 22 guests at a time we now have a waiting list of people wanting to attend. We now have over 150 cd’s carrying 2,600 songs Thank you so much for your program that helps us attain the levels we are at.
As an aside to Caroline: I play the banjo/uke since I wanted more twang and with the four strings it fits in nicely with my uke band. It’s compact and easy as pie to tune.
Loved your course and gained some good advice to improve my singing. I am almost 88 years old, female, and very active in several areas of endeavor–art, volunteering and exercising. I sang in Sweet Adelines chorusus for many years, and as soloist with a wintertime band over the past five years. My husband and I have performed in many nursing homes–very rewarding for us. Our church choir is great, and I love being a member. I have been asked numerous times about my “professional singing career,” and answer with a laugh that I am not a pro. What is the age limit for singing well? My answer: “There is no limit!”
Hi Per:
I turn 66 next month and still sing in public. Still have all my notes from high F to low F, and down to low D occasionally. Nothing has disappeared but I practice probably six days a week.
Sure my breathing is not as good as it used to be but I manage OK.
Regards
Geoff
Hi Per,
I totally agree that age is not a barrier to singing. I am from India and if you have heard of names like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle who are in their late seventies they are still so good that they will put youngsters to shame.Of course there is weakening of muscles etc but that does not take away the capacity to sing. You may sing a note lower than before but if you have the melody in you that the high notes may not at all be necessary.It is so right of you to clear the misconception that age is a limit.
Savio.
I was never thought of myself as a “good” singer in the sense that my range was, and still is limited and I actually never really liked the sound of my voice, although others said that they did. I learned to accept that as a fact, after all like and dislike are both subjective. I am 63, still singing, performing and writing music. I sing what I can and have stopped trying, or wishing I was able, to do what is beyond me. I try and play to my strengths and concentrate on for example phrasing and mood and I try to inject a little “soul” no matter what the song content. By “soul” I definitely do not mean the kind of over the top vocal pyrotechnics which results in never singing one note when 37 can be fitted in, but merely feeling the words. 16 or 116 if you like to sing then sing
I’m 64 years young. I tell my grand daughters that I am just an antique little girl. People tell me I act much younger than my age. I am not afraid to try something new, as long as it isn’t dangerous. If I get up in front of people and mess up, at least I won’t get a broken arm or leg. I remind myself of Eunice, Carol Burnett’s character in the series, Momma, with Vicki Lawrence. And, I am like Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. I’m always trying to sing, and someone in my family keeps telling me, I will never sing well, it’s too late for me, blah, blah, blah…. In a certain song I am working on, I’ve been trying to hit an F, the second F above high C. Sometimes I can get it, sometimes, if I am too tense, I can’t quite get it. Just this week while practicing that song, I received one of those comments, from a certain person who will remain unnamed. I responded, “Well, I’m going to sing Jeannette’s best, the best that I can do, not compared to anyone else, and I will enjoy myself. Then, I returned to my practice. The thing was, this time the comment didn’t bother me very much. And when I was through practicing, I walked over to him and gave him a hug, and felt good. Everyone has a right to their opinion, though I believe sometimes we should keep them to ourselves instead of discouraging someone. But, nevertheless, I don’t have a right to punish him for his opinion, but I don’t have to fall into someone else’s line of thinking. I can think for myself, thank you very much. Thank you for sharing, Per. I sing everywhere now. When I am out shopping, all through the stores I am singing softly under my breath. I don’t care if people hear me. It makes me feel good. I try to carry a song in my heart all through the day. Thank you for sharing your method of singing with freedom, and your continued ideas.
Jeannette Viers Brooks
Correction to my Blog. I am trying to hit the second F above Middle C, not high C. I’m laughing at my faux pas. Lol.
Thank you for the video of Roger Gentilhomme. It was inspiring – As is your website. It is so positive and a joy to read. I am a 56 year old singer who sometimes feels very old. Guess not. Thank you, thank you. I’m psyched for the day. KK
Well done Jeanette!
I knew which F you meant! There are three main ways to deal with “that certain person” Don’t waste energy beating him up.
1. Buy him ear plugs.
2. Lock him in a room in front of Per’s videos & then drag him screaming & kicking to join you singing. He just might, like my “certain person” find that he can sing too & has joined a choir with me & really enjoys it!
3. Say “You show me how to do it darling!”
Good luck,
Catherine.
PS – a large box of choolates plus the big hug & kiss might work quicker, then start the exercises together
If that doesn’t work, there’s no hope & he maybe enjoys winding you up, so think to yourself you must therefore be making him happy! so stick him in front of the tele with his favourite sport programme plus the chocolates & the volume turned on high, then you ignore him!
P.S. Per’s “-NG excercise slidy up & down on scales pushes the air up into your palate to vibrate at the the front of your mouth & releases
the tension in your throat, also going brrr lips vibrating without the “r” loosely at your grumpy one might make him laugh! Here’s hoping!
through you
Thanks for the post. Every encouraging.
Per: In always enjoys your views and instruction greatly. Thanks much!
(Next comment not intended to be “published”): I think you mean “BEAR with me”…not “BARE with me.
Per,
I am in my 40’s and have recently taken up singing “again”. I used to sing when I was young, like high school age. I learned a lot from my mother who was a singer in a pop quartet when she was young-they sang at local events and on a local radio station, but never recorded anything. and her mother was a pianist who taught me a some stuff about music appreciation and different styles, ect.. my goal is to achieve a wider range and improve my tone, smoothe out transitions, ect. not sure if your program would be helpful? would like to take private vocal lessons, but I have alot going on and only have time when most places are closed or folks are not available. looking for your input?
wendy L
Yes Per,
first of all aging happens in the imagination to be or to become old. Now I’m 68 and I don’t feel old at all and I don’t look old.
At FaceBook I have a very inspiring girlfriend and I always thought she is young woman because of her activities. Now she wrote that she is 98!
That makes me feel even younger than before 🙂
Best wishes,
Carola
Per
Doesn’t it have something to do with hormones as we girls get older? My voice has definitely got lower since the menopause.
Per
Regarding line 1; I hope you want us to ‘bear’ with you, not ‘bare’ with you (unless, of course, you are thinking of going nudist, which in my case is not a pretty sight!)
Only kidding – I find your material and your optimistic attitude truly inspirational. Age is relative – my neighbour drove his car at age 101. He loved buying old clocks, radios and other antiques and fixing them up to resell.
Okay, “bear” it is. We’ll go “bare” another time. 🙂
Great comments everyone!
Yes, Catherine Mein. Yah, good ideas! I haven’t been inviting him to sing with me, except when we need to practice for a duet in church. I will start each day, inviting him to sing hymns with me. He has a good voice, and he is a good critic, and when I let him, he does help. The only draw back is, where Per says don’t worry about hitting the note, this special person will tell me every time I miss. Of course now that I have learned to “feel” it, I know without being told when I miss. But, he doesn’t know about being aware how it feels. I used to sing in choirs with difficulty because I relied on my ears, but with a big choir I couldn’t hear myself. Now, with this new skill, I can “feel” the notes. Thanks Per, for all you do for us. We are never too old. I’m starting to realize too that singing doesn’t begin in the vocal cords, mouth and lungs and rib cage and all that. It’s much deeper. It comes out from deep inside the soul. It’s like a cry, (Not physical here), but an inner joy released. Well, I talk to much, I better stop.
Joy to all
I love to sing but didn’t have a lot time until now. I’m 67 and recently won the Georgia Senior talent showcase 1st place for solo. I love your style of teaching to free up the tension. Makes such a difference. I personally do not believe that one ever gets to old to sing. Wouldn’t it be cool if all the 60 + singers could get together for one giant sized senior singing party?
Keep singing everyone.
Hi, Per. People around here say I am an inspiration to them having started to learn to sing in my mid-fifties. Now I am 62 and getting to the place where I want to actually offer my jazz singing to small clubs, restaurants, etc. I have also begun to write songs, melody, lyrics and chord changes, which is a challenge when you never took a music theory class. Whatever kind of singing we do, it is a never-ending path of growth, something we can do as long as we want and a wonderful community to be a part of.
Resistance and reluctance are major obstacles in preventing fun/enjoyment. I started a uke band to have fun and it would appear that it’s not that easy when some peeps have roadblocks and are concerned about not being perfect or making a mistake or choose not to sing out because they don’t “have a good voice”. Just dive off the platform and DO IT. Go forward. I’ll continue helping others to try to have fun until it ceases becoming fun and then I’ll head for higher ground.
Hi, Per. I am 80 years old and have always loved to sing and perform. I had sung some solo work but at age 68 I found Barbershop! I fell in love with the harmonies found in four-part singing but I have found that while singing my part (bass) I sometimes get so enthralled with the lyrics and/or the sound that I forget to breathe. Lesson 4 has helped me already and I have only watched it twice. You have helped me discover how to breathe without even thinking about it. Please know that I will work diligently on this phase of singing thanks to you and Lesson 4.
I couldn’t agree with you more Per; it is all a state of mind. I have had a 75 year old lady as a student and we had so much fun working together, learning new songs and training the voice to defy even the law of gravity!
With practice, determination and the right information, there are so many possibilities!
Have fun! 😉
Dear Per and all,
After this, I propose the below recording of Giacomo Lauri Volpi. It is seeing his energy, momentum, and enthusiasme at 86, we can understand, from where greatness comes… (not only for singers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0lgOXVc9k0
Hi Per,
We recently laid to rest a lady from one of our churches in Illinois who was over 100 (I think about 103) who was a dear friend of mine.
When I would visit the area (I am from Ohio, but lived in her area for about 5 years), I would always try to stop and see her.
When she got to around the age of 95, her mind started going down and she stopped singing, but I remember singing hymns with her up until then and she still had a great voice.
I often tell our young people that the voice is a muscle and you must use it if you expect it to be strong!
Thanks!
Bud Manz
Each of us have experienced so-called "failures" or feel we have "missed opportunities" in our lives. From reading your posts, how encouraging to read how many of you are reaching beyond them. They really are just "learning" experiences.
I am in the 2nd month of The Singing with Freedom program. I have taught and sung for years, but I I wamt to continue learning and refreshing my soul. This program is fun, and certainly goes along with my belief – that learning to express with freedom is actually about living your whole life with freedom.
One of my voice students is a young woman who had trouble hearing and producing pitches. What a joy after a couple of years to hear her sing a song in tune when the piano accompaniment does not coincide with the melody. She is expecting her first baby, and looking forward to seeing lullabies. Some times the greatest job comes in seeing adult students take lessons because they just want to express themselves more fully.
Per told the young person the following about self-confidence, "A child who grows up to believe that the way he draws, sings or behaves is to make people happy, is the child who becomes programmed to believe that he isn’t good enough. This child will always seek external approval."
When adults, and senior adults, decide to learn to do something with freedom, we are setting an example that it's never to late to "live with freedom." Best wishes to each of you – at any age…
Thanks Per for taking the time to write this article. I had felt some stuffs emerging as a career artist at almost 30. But I know better now that there’s just so much ahead and nothing really to worry about.
I'm not trying to enter the 'contest', but at 85, I still sing professionally, and expect to be singing well at 100. We have long livers in our family. I have a great attitude, do some teaching and coaching and am presently adding to one of the two books on singing I have written. Attitude is SO important. I,too, help many who say they cannot sing. Singing is learned, after you know you want to. I'm sure you are doing much good for many people, Per. Keep up the good work. ………..musiker
Hi, Per
I am from CN, I am trying to learn more english songs, but I really do not sing well, When I sing the English songs, evryone said my voice is like the duck, how can I improve my level? would you please introduce same good English songs to me?By the way, My English is not very good.
I am 58 and have read professionally for most of my adult life: children's material, commercials, industrials. My voice has never sounded so good … and I've only been doing the course for two weeks. No, it's never too late. But it would have been wonderful if I had found Per years ago.
Hello Per,
I have been reading your blogspot and love the positve vibes you give. I am in India and would like to get the basic cds to singing well but how can I get the same here. Secondly I am 52 and a Indian classical musician. I run a music school and have been experiencing a lot of voice problem of late, hoarseness, unable to get higher notes etc. If u could give me a few tips I could probably get some friend to get the cd from the usa when they visit.
Thanks and happy thanks giving!
chitra sherman
Can anyone tell me how i can make my voice good enough?i write songs,i sing them but if i record myself and hear it,ugh!i really really want to be a singer when i grow up and i need someone's help …..
also happy thanksgiving Per,u really have made me feel much better :)happy thanksgiving to all and someone hep 🙂
Thank you Per for the interesting article and the convincing video to which I absolutely agree.
I wish you too a Very Happy 2010 year and a fascinating Valentine Day – but mind the process!
Esther
Hi Per, I sing on a church choir along with a couple of other sopranos but their voices are far enhanced than mines. I was told that I have a soft soprano voice. But I always thought that sopranos were sharp and high pitched. I enjoy singing and hope one day to perform a solo, however I really don’t care for my voice I think that I sing better along with the others …A couple Sundays ago, I was the only soprano that was present during church service along with the altos, tenors and I thought my voice sound terrible. I don’t have the funds to order the video, what is a person to do? I’m open for suggestions. I truly LOVE singing for our LORD. Can you HELP me??
Diamond
Hi there Per, I loved doing your course and I have sung all my life it seems/. I think one of the biggest problems in older singers and I am, shall we say, past the first flush of youth!, isnthe confidence thing. I think it is almostg too easy to compare with the younbg bloods who have the freshness – however guys carry on in there – there are a lot of older singers who can offer so much. Thank you.
Very exciting to reclaim skills from years ago, but I always offer the following advice to anyone that I meet that like to water ski, especially musicians:
A friend of mine in college, a record-holding athlete (and a musician) was very experienced at water skiing. He fell while water skiing and destroyed one of his eardrums from the water impact. I do not know how much of his hearing returned, but it would not be worth the risk for me.
I have been enjoying choral singing since high school and, although not as well as in past years, I still perform in three choirs and a civic chorale. Through your CDs I found that over the years I have learned a lot of bad habits that I am slowly working out. The warmup tape is wonderful and I seldom go to even a rehearsal without going through it. Singing is an avocation that can give one immeasurable pleasure until the next to last breath. To all of you young folks I say, "Keep it up. Learn good singing habits and you will never run out of something fun to do." At age 75 I'm still going strong.
This is not about age really, but about how waterskiing changed my life, even though it was a disaster on the face of it. I had tried it once about 30 years ago and found it very easy. I tried it again a year ago, and couldn't get up, as my arms/legs were in the wrong position. I let go of the handle and it whacked my inner thighs so badly that I got a massive haematoma, that after a year has not completely gone and I can still feel when I exercise. It was extraordinarily painful and scary and I was sure I would have my legs amputated, BUT…it was one of the best things that happened to me, as I had to spend 3 weeks lying down, and had time to read Awaken the Giant Within, which I had bought 10 yrs before but not read. As a result, I decided I wanted to sing and took your programme, which gave me the confidence to sing regularly in public, something which would have terrified me before.
The question made sense to me before I started the Sing With Freedom course but now that I have enjoyed expanding myt voice without strain and pain I do not believe that there in no physical barrier to sining other that one of a psychological nature.
But once a person takes the lessons seriously and enjoys the affect that is possible then I believe that all problems are solved.
Nobody has said, 'Hey Jim, your voice has really improved". I do not expect it as I know it is something that is kept for close people and not for groups necessarily. I know that my voice is deeper and richer that ever and that I can sing at different level and it sounds good to me. I am the one that has to be happy with the results.
Per, in my opinion your NEVER too old to sing. Singing is a way of life. Get it? A way of life, as in as long as your alive you can do it. Sure maybe you might have a change in your voice, but you know what they say, practice makes perfect!
Relative to old timers, I just had my 90th birthday. I decided to see if Per and his methods could help me sing as in church or just for my own fun. My speaking voice is not of and old man. Thinging I might avoid a crackelly voice and maybe increasing range and occastionly hit the correct note. After two sets of lesson, I'm not a good singer, but a lot better than before the lessons. Age is only a number!
I’m 75, male, and actually still sing pretty well. But, my voice tires quickly and sometimes gives out in the middle of a song. Makes me afraid to sing solo in church.. Also, the high notes, e’s, f”s, g’s, and a flats are just about gone. Can this be corrected at my age?
I am a 70 years old man, love to sing, and have just joined a church chior. They are helping me but I need extra help. I have not had any formal training.except my singing in the shower or my car. I am on a fixed income and cannot afford your cost. Is there smaller program that you can help me with that might cover all or most of the more importent componants of learning to sing? Thanking you in advance.
Gerald from Canada..
I am 78 and do not consider myself too old to learn. I carry a 195 average in bowling and am still looking to improve. i feel the same way about singing. I should have started taking lessons earlier in life but better late than never.
I am in my forties and singing in an eighties tribute band is there any one else out there doing this?
I am in my fifties and have sung since I was 3. I just joined a Sweet Adeline group and its quartet and I have since joined another group of many 60 and older people. But my heart is in my singing telegram business where I dress in a tuxedo, take a bouquet of balloons and sing for someone's birthday in a restaurant, party or their work. Keep singing!!!!
Maybe one can’t be too old to sing, but sining ability can’t be improved when the vocale cords have been damaged because of surgery. If so I stand corrected.