What Does Singing Mean To You?

Singing, to me, is such an expression of emotion!  Every emotion!  Joy… Sorrow… Fear… Any emotion you can name!  As a person of faith, it is also an expression of praise to God!  I simply cannot imagine my life without being able to sing!  That does not mean I am the greatest singer.  I would love to improve the voice I have.  To some degree, I have a gift of singing, and I would like very much to improve it and give it back to God in praise to Him!  I would like to use this ability to share my faith with others!  
I have been singing as far back as I can remember, but actually stopped singing in January of 2009.  My husband destroyed our marriage, and I could not even being to have a voice for any emotion.  At that point, I just allowed music to wash over me, and begin to heal my soul.  Music was a comfort in so many incredible ways!  In time, I could sing along to familiar songs within my groups, but it was so very hard!  I truly know that music and singing have been my close friends for all of my life!  
Though I do sing solos in my groups, I am terrified each and every time.  I would like to develop the confidence that would allow me to share music in a way that might wash over another soul in some very positive ways.  
I cannot imagine my life without music and singing!
— Lorie Gibson 

I have been singing in church choirs since I can remember and I am now 52. I've also sung as a soloist, in a band, acapella and in large choruses. There is nothing like mastering complex music, working to blend with your fellow singers, and bringing music to listeners that can stir them or make them cry. There is music in my head all the time – wish I had more hours in the day to let it out. 

Singing is so important to me as a means of expression, that when I was constantly told as a child to be quiet, I learnt to sing in my head rather than stop singing. As a teenager, I was always singing something that was relevant to whatever I was feeling at the time.  Then when I started doing the warm-up exercises with Per, I noticed that I would feel ecstatic just from doing exercises! Since doing the video classes, people have started saying I have a beautiful voice, which no-one had ever said before. And I have gained a confidence which I have never had before. Thanks Per

Singing is healing for me. That's it

Like so many others who have posted, I guess I have always loved to sing.  My mother used to tell stories about me singing while riding in the our car when I was only a year or two old.. back in the early 1940's.   She used to play opera records and she claimed I went around the house singing in 'fake Italian'.   Growing up when the MUSICALS were popular at the movies sorta encouraged my tendency to burst into song at the drop of a hat.  Sometimes they were popular songs, or songs I made up or some of the oldies I learned from my parent, aunts and uncles.  My uncle was in vaudeville and he helped me learn to harmonize.  Soon I realized I could hear all the harmonies in my head and I seemed to have a knack for picking up and remembering lyrics.  I never really did anything with these 'talents' – I also 'sort of' play a variety of musical instruments,  mostly for my own enjoyment.  Sometimes I wish I had taken music a bit more seriously, but life somehow got in the way.  Even now, at 70, I love to sing and do it often. People have often told me I have a 'beautiful voice' –  I guess I somehow thought my voice was different, but not beautiful.   I can sing bass, baritone, tenor, alto and mezzo–soprano.  Singing for me is a special way of communicating and expressing what I feel or what I sense others are feeling.

I have sang for the past 2O years in a    Sweet Adeline Chorus. In that time I have learned a lot and really love singing in four part harmony. Lately I tend to have a vibrato at times. My. breath control is not what it should be. I know I can get past this. I can't imagine my life without Sweet Adelines.  Thanks Par!

for as long as i can remember music and singing has been part of my life.  it is a gopd stress reliever.  i singon a karaoke site on the internet made lots of  friends some sing very well some not so good but you meet many people from all over the world  Country music is my passion

I have always been shy, quiet and had low voice as natural symptoms of Asperger's syndrome. The related natural technical interest manifested itself in music and I've been able to deeply understand and practice a range of musical areas, but one day I felt the ultimate challenge in music would be to sing well. It goes right against my charateristics and that's why it's been so rewarding. It also enables me to develop further expression as an artist, so it's been very rich and feel I'll never stop  singing.

Singing for me is empowerment.  When we are able to control our voice, it is a reflection of our ability to control our lives.  Singing to me is power, the fearless expression of deep feelings, and a reflection of my inner truth. Singing is my way to express my  inner strength and self confidence.

I sing because I can. It's a gift from God 😉  People say I'm good, but I'm not really sure how good. I sing in 4-part A Cappella groups…Barbershop style music. I've been in quartets and choruses and I now direct a chorus. It's such a huge part of my life that when someone asks me what I do, I say I'm a singer. I actually pay more to sing than I get paid to sing! But i know that's what I am. I would do it for a living if I could find a way. I never feel pain or sorrow when I sing…it's truly a natural high. I'm not sure how I would define myself if I didn't sing…sounds crazy, I know! I'm a mother, wife and so many other "things" but foremost, a singer. I believe anyone can sing…they think they can't because someone told them they couldn't at one point in their lives. I find this to be true with everyone I invite into my chorus. There are so many goals I had set for myself in my life that I have not been able to realize due to marriage, but my one gift that can never be taken or squashed is my desire to sing and entertain. I will find a way to fulfill more dreams, but I thank God everyday for the one I obtained. That's why I sing 🙂

Exc. question:  Ella Fitzgerald said she sang because
"she was happy," and there was nothing wrong w/that, but
to me it goes much deeper than that.   For ex., listen to the
real songbirds (esp. in the morning).  They can put you in good mood or a sad one.   Why do they sing?  It is a
direction reflection of the Spirit-man or Soul-man:  happy, sad, moody, soul, jumpy, hot, loving, hurting,
tender, beautiful, and so on.   Example:  "We are the
world; we are the children…"  and Stephen Fosters
loving and immortal "Beautiful Dreamer…"   My father
loved that song–and so do I.   And I love to sing all kinds
of songs–and I sing many in Hebrew.   Thanks Per.
Pls. sign me Harlan A. Hanna fr. Tenn.

What a lot of great comments so far.  I've never thought about 'why' I sing (I just do) but this has made me think.  I do love to sing and find myself doing it all the time without thinking (it just starts) and when I reaslise what I'm doing I try to work out why. It often comes back to the fact that someone has said a particular word or phrase that has brought a song into my mind that I then start to sing.  I used to have lessons and belonged to various singing-for-fun groups but have, unfortunately, had to cut back recently due to lack of time.  I'm also quite a quiet person most of the time and I think singing gives me the opportunity to release some emotion. Teresa

Asi've been improving as a singer i find that it really helps for emotional support at times when nothing else can make you feel better. Singing is great for expression and has really made me feel better at times when nothing else could.

I agree with Tommie who said that singing is healing. Singing transforms “broken” people of all sorts. Here’s one of my own experiences: my father lay in the hospital 1000 miles away, dying of an unknown illness. There was nothing I could do. I went to choir practice where someone asked casually, “How are you?” whereupon I burst into tears. I pulled myself together enough to start singing, and after two hours of breathing and concentrating on something beautiful outside myself and my family’s troubles, I felt so much better. Of course I got a lot of support from my fellow singers when he passed away. He was a singer too and I think I honor his memory when I sing.

 
Hi I realy love this where i can love to speak my mind out. This is wonderful to know that one can sing with Freedom that's what life is all about,
Well i do think that Singing on sites or any where is great idea,as singing takes out all stress,makes you a more friendly person,helps you to forgive,and makes you feel the true talent about one's self. I am one person who loves to sing weather i have a voice or not,no one can say they are better than the other,cause i do believe that God gave us all a voice to talk and sing. And He gave it with freedom. And there is wonderful people who created free singing sites,wonderful of them to do so that means they do understand life worth living. We should be able to sing with freedom and i think its a great way to communicate with the world,friends,and families,which we should all do,besides locking up our voice box and throwing away the key,which God gave us.
Besides we have another wonderful person God created Per Bristow who is so understanding and there to help us when needed.Per Bristow has taken great pride in answering all my letters and questions,and i Thank God for giving him to us.
Its nice to sing and have someone pass a kind comment saying" That is great or you did a good job" Those are real people and they support us rather than some one judging us according to his or her self and saying "You need to do better and miss judge us that's totally uncalled for,who is he why should he even be mean????
We dont tell a child when he did wrong i need to punish you,NO its wrong we need to sit with them and use kind words to make them understand everything better,punishing kills or is a silent killer,.
Yes i love this prog: and am proud to answer it and be truthful. Its wondrful thought Per Bristow thanks for being there for us.
Shirley.L>

I have always loved singing.  My mum said I sang "It's only a shanty in old shanty town" at 18 months.   That's about 60 years ago now.    I have sung in school choirs, church choirs, light operatic society musicals, choral society and several chamber choirs.   I used to be a soprano but am now a low alto.   There is always something new to learn and a new challenge.   You can never think you have finished.    I have met so many people over the years through singing and they have been, and still are mostly, my best friends….It is wonderful to share the experience of singing with other people.  I now sing in a chamber choir that visits and sings in amazing cathedrals and churches, such as St. Marks in Venice.   It is fantastic to sing in a beautiful building with a beautiful accoustic.   It's just something in me that  have to sing.   I was broken hearted when I lost my top notes but now enjoy singing alto.

I'm addicted to karaoke and my honey and I go out singing at least five nights a week.  We have a large circle of singing friends and we all need to get our "fix" singing.  It's a personal growth experience, better than Toastmasters at building self-confidence.
 
I've written as a ghost writer for a year in a local karaoke publication and Barbara Sher (author of "Wishcraft") proclaimed me a "karaoke missionary".   The health benefits are numerous — deep breathing cleanses your system, singing is a natural pain killer, and who doesn't need more self-confidence?  I could preach to the choir here but you guys probably already know that singing just makes you feel better and is the best stress reliever.  I may not be the best, but the more I sing, the better I will get.
 
I love getting someone up to sing for the first time, then watch them grow into a truly amazing singer.  We all are so uniquely different, with our own distinctive styles and voices, yet music is universally loved.  Our tastes may be different but we are united in lifting our voices and making the world a better, more bearable place.  Everyone should sing – be careful what you say to someone who is just starting to discover singing.  A little critism can shut them down when all they need is a little encouragement and practice, practice, practice. 
 
And then there is harmony….  When voices blend in perfection , it takes you somewhere special.  And my honey and I both value it tremendously.
 
Thanks for letting me get on my soapbox.  Singing IS very important to me at this stage in my life.     
 

Being able to sing good and soothing can make a person feel powerful or at least desirable… I wish I could sing just for that reason, to show it off non-chalantly or what not.. just being honest..

…Hi I love to sing I'm 80 yrs old but to hear my voice you would not know my age, I sing Karaoke on SING SNAP There I'm Known as CaptGio2 I sang in Nite Clubs under the name Johnny Damar made from my name ( giovanni     Johnny … middle name…. Valdemar ….. Demar I dare anyone to listen your in for a surprise. When do I stop singing? NEVER!!

Many thanks for the link to Korea's got talent – an amazing story, and an enjoyable voice.
Sadly there is a possibility that things are not quite what they seem but in the hope that it is 100% genuine I wish him well with bhis singing and his life.

I perform under the name Ray Desmond and "A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music use to make me smile.  And I knew if i had my chance that I could make those people dance and maybe they'd be happy for a while". Don McLean "American Pie"
That's why I sing, in nursing homes, retirement centers, festivals.  I have the privilege of singing at the Kansas State Fair this September 14th.  I sing big Band music and I love the reaction of the audience when I sing a song that they connect with. It's ALL ABOUT THE AUDIENCE NOT ME.

I don't know where I'd be without singing, whether it's hymns, songs, chorusses, arias or just vocalising for fun.  I sing as both tenor and countertenor, which is a great opportunity to sing at a pitch normally exclusive to women, yet with a distinctively masculine sound.

I enjoyed singing around the piano at family gatherings as a child:  old Music Hall favourites, hymns, songs from musicals. Luckily I had aunts who were in love with Ivor Novello, one of whom could play by ear any tune you asked for. However, I was 50 before I was dragooned into my first church choir for singing too loudly in the congregation! That led to the chorus in musicals and operetta and the nerve-tingling experience of singing in large oratorio choirs. But now, in my 75th year, I joined Singing with Freedom to keep a voice good enough to support my church choir in the traditions of Anglican sung worship. We can hear the Cathedral Choir show us how it is done any day of the week but he real joy comes from giving our best each Sunday in the luxury of even better acoustics in our Norman church down the road. Long may it continue with help from SWF for my small part in it!

Well …! Its a good question ! But for me MUSIC means a lot to me . A lot in the sense I 'll die if  I don't sing or listen to music I'm addicted to it now that everyday I need to listen to it and also sing . Its my "  PASSION " n I'm gonna live my Passion no matter what people say about me 'cuz I don't care for those people. 

I sing as soon as I wake in the mornings and break into song all day,because it makes me happy I belong to a singing group and when i sing I feel as if I am communicating that love I feel for my fellow human beings.Type your comment here…

I would like to sing so if it make someone happy I would be happy. It's a two way thing, I want to give love and recive love. My best singer was Sam Cooke, everybody love Sam. Fame is not inportant, it's to prove to myself I can do it.

After 10 years of classical study and extensive performing as a classical and jazz soloist,  I had to stop performing because of PRE-performance anxiety. Once 3 minutes into performance I was able to relax. Also, I had (strangely) become known as an oratorio soloist and increasingly found that singing this kind of religious music did not at all resonate with my own spiritual beliefs. I sing to be able to communicate an emotional experience to the audience, or to tell a story. I must be at ease with the words. People are hungry for these experiences. Perhaps one day I can recapture my love of singing…

I sing because I am able to feel the whole me when I sing. Singing helps me process, feel, express, reflect, release and recharge, and simply just 'be'. I can speak from wherever I am at when I sing and for that I am grateful. Singing gets to be so many different things for me:). 

I am 77 years young. I enjoy singing. I consider my range adequate to do the type of standards I do. I'm considered a crooner. When i sing and hear my self and at that moment, I think I sound pretty good. I have no problem of staying on key, "but" whenever I hear myself after being recorded, I think I really suck as far as the quality is concerned.
Why is that?

I love to  sing for many reasons, that have evolved through my stages of life:
At first, my mom taught me how to sing old Israeli songs, and I liked the connection it made between me and her and now it's the sweetest memory I have from her when she was still a bit healthy.
Later, I liked singing during prayer time at the synagouge and during the Shabbat meals we had traditional songs that I really loved and the foster family taught me.
During my highschool years I've got in touch with my brother's lyrics (what he has left behind…) and started to compose songs. Dealing with my brother's death brought me closer to understanding my pain and so I've learned how to use music and writing as a therapy.
Learning to sing rock classics and gathering my own original material, I've started to make music. Learned how to play the guitar, the drums and had some vocal instruction.
Had a lot of vocal instruction. Until now I had about 4-5 teachers, that all had a slightly different approach than the other, but all in all had made the same mistakes you've mentioned in your video. Somehow, I wasn't such a good student and I still have- I believe- the same voice I had in highschool, maybe a bit more controled but what can really be a good change for me would be to be able to hit the right notes, to be more accurate with my pitch and learn how to perfect my show. Also, singing with the guitar adds more things to think about during the show and therefore knowing to make the right balance between the guitar and my voice would be great.
But. I can't afford paying for the wonderful dvd's you offer. I can only enjoy what's offered for free.
Thank you.

Singing is something you do whatever the mood you are in. I am thankful I have a voice and can use it, though I don't think very well. ut then I am pessimistic most of the time. Singing is a sport in the races of life and if I was without a voice, I do not know what I would do to pass the time. At twelve years of age, my voice is always being excersized. Thankyou for reading a girl's view of the beautiful things you can do with your voice.

Dear Per,
Why do I sing? I have finally come to realize that I sing for emotional health.  When I do not sing for a while, my emotions build up and I become unstable.  Singing allows my feelings to come alive and singing is a legitimate way of expressing emotions; feelings of sadness, feelings of longing, feelings of love, romance.  In the daily life, there is little room for emotions as we are required to be logical, reasonable, well-balanced, in control, which is all good and has its place. 
Of course, I would love to sing like Maria Callas or Mariah Carrey, but again, I have come to realized that it's all about doing the best with what you have.  This is the voice God gave me, so it is divine and it is mine. 
I have had the same challenge of being contraint to sing  within the chest-voice range, then constricting when approaching the fringel point where the chest resonance  moves into the head resonance.  It was quite disturbing to experience the difference in tonal quality and character of these two rooms.  Your sliiiiiiiding exercises are very, very helpful, and, no doubt, you are the best voice/singing instructor I have met to date.  I love the way you explain everything so clearly and with so much caring. 
Singing is wonderful and you are wonderful.  Keep up the good work.
Your friend,
Macel Wilson
 
 

i love to sing and i love to perform but i have a friend that's a lot better and he went to lessens so i asked him to teach me i shouldn't have to push my voice so he started learning me but since then im losing so fast my voice i think because im thinking so hard when im singing how my voice should  be good that when i stop singing  i can lose my voice for a day, and i would wish to bring my range higher i hope you would surprise me the same as i see every one writing

Singing means alot to me. It makes me feelhappy.It also helps me to encourage those who are depressed. Plus I just want to illuminate the world and make my life and others more meaningful.

Well… What an insightful question! Not one of my previous vocal teachers has ever even thought to ask this or if perhaps they did they didn't care. Yet since you asked I feel inclined and honored to answer. Singing means everything to me. I wish to both connect with my audience emotionally and make a leaving inpact on music itself and me.  Singing is my motivation, inspiration, and soul crammed into one package and I want to set it all free. If there was no music, no singing…. It is beyond my imagination, and I wish not to- cannot- venture beyond my realm of creativity into a horrid fantasy. That would be my worst nightmare. If I didn't pursue my dream as a singer-songwriter, I would feel purposeless, empty. I love what I do, I love my job, and I will never take it for granted. Singing means more than everything to me and always will.

Singing is like flying but with talent …I love it couse it is an inspiration and i forghet all the problems that i have.

for me singing is a kind of therapy…all the tensions, stress, and many other soucies disapear. it's a sort of well being! and when you manage to sing low, middle and high without forcing, it's the key! personnaly my favorite repertory is Stevie Wonder. And I would like to sing  easily like him, when he is in the high range and also in the bridges… in fact this is my real goal!
and i'll get it! with the help of Per!
When i perform and i see some people who appreciate what i do, in  my own scale, it's for me the main recompense. I feel a stuff like that when I listen Stevie Wonder or Pavarotti or David Phelps.  if I can bring  joy and entertainment at audience, I bring it for myself to!

singing… means everything to me without it i would be…gutted lol and i wouldnt have anything to do or be.
and im sure you agree. 🙂 that rhymes lol

Singing is how I express emotions, joy or pain.
 

At 64 I have completed the traditional business success story.  Now I am looking for something that stimulates me spiritually, emotionally, and personally.
I have been told all of my life that I had a good voice.  Now I wish to do something with it!  I just need help in developing what God has given me!

To me singing is a wonderful instrument that god gave us other than the rest. I want to learn how to sing because its a natural voice. I want to achieve my natural voice. Well I sincerely hope you can help, I have been playing guitar and I can write guitar parts but I wish I could sing, I can here how well I can compose songs. Well those are the reasons I want to sing.

I sing because its fun and i love music. I like to sing because you can show your different emotions in a song. I want to improve my singing so i can be a singer one day.

Dear Per,
Hopefully the Sing With Freedom DVD's will help me sing again after falling and hitting my throat last april.  I finished DVD lesson #1 and found that your singing lessons should be very helpful.  I already have seen a Ear nose and throat specialist. a Laryngologist in Chicago and now will go to the voice institute, Dr. Bastian in Downers grove, Illinlois on August 16.  The Hoarsenes that you talked about is what I have when I try to sing in the higher voice range.  I have a few more days before I go on to DVD #2.  Anyway I'm happy that I discovered your web sight and maybe I'll be back to singing with freedom.   
 

I guess I would say that  I have sung since I'm a little girl because I love to, no matter how many times I've been hurt relative to it (thinking I wasn't good enough or when I got some criticism that dug deep) or thought I didn't really have the time to practice and so thought I should quit, and so on. But the truth is I find I can't stop singing. I sing (opera mainly) because it's such a deep part of me, I sing to express feelings I can't express in other ways, I sing because it gives others pleasure when they hear me, I sing because I love studying about the voice and how to sing beautifully, I sing to get attention and love and I sing to give love. It's been a mystery my whole life, to be honest.  I think it doesn't really matter why I sing, like it doesn't matter why I breathe or take in food. It's just necessary in my case.

i'm very interested to inprove my voice ,i had surgery  4 years ago and they put a ttrac in my neck and i can't hit one note very well so i need to learn how to excersise and get things back to normal and learn more about singing and i was wondering if it's 79.00 every time i order new disc's

mr. bristow i love singing because from the time i known myself im always singing.and i would like to sing better and i think after listening to you i think you can help me do better and  i thank you god bless    g.d. s..

ive been singing almost all my life,ive noticed as im getting older,my voice is not like it use to be.i want to learn to control my voice and it be more clear,without my voice breaking

I often say I came out of the whomb singing.  It is just something I need to do.  It keeps me sane.  I wish I had been able to have some musical training when I was young. My outlet is my church choir where I feel much joy when I sing.  I have been asked to join other groups too which is a great ego booster if nothing else.  I am 71 and just now learning how to use my voice.  I am so glad to have found your site.  You are very encouraging and I thank you for that.  Peg

I love singing, even though I'm not really exceptionally good at it. I guess you could say I'm "all right." But to be able to inspire people and let emotion flow through my voice is a dream of mine. I've never been trained properly in singing, and I've only had one short solo I remember doing, but if my voice could be improved to where I could sing in front of my church, that would be like a dream come true. It would be amazing to inspire others and worship God with a beautiful voice. I just haven't discovered it yet, but I'm hoping this program will help.

As a child…singing was an outlet for me…it takes me to places…it makes me happy…it takes away the stress. If I am depressed and I want to leave this environment…singing can take me into another environment where I feel wanted and comfortable…I feel like I am in "Golliver Travels"….I enter into different places that is comfortable for me…these places are always places that I definately want to be at all times…so singing is an outlet that takes me to different travels…and it is free…I never have to pay for it:-)

I'm singing in a choir and that is why I want to learn to improve my voice. Teresa

singing means a lot to me
it means you can exspress your voice and whenever you feel down singing cheers you up,also it lets all your anger out ,howether it really relaxsis you so much:)

singing is everything to me i enjoy diong it relaxes me it even cools me down when am angry it something i want to improve on real bad

singing is what i have wanted to do since i was a kid, it makes me feel more up-lifted.

Type your comment here…
Music is essential in my life…My mother was a lyric soprano but I don´t have any voice at all, which doesn´t prevent me from singing from my heart… I admit this study would help me greatly, but unfortunately I cannot devote to it now.
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement and this opportunity.
God speed
lucia kahn, argentina

I entertain in various shows from cowboy poetry/music festivals, 1-hour variety shows performed in various places, and have recently become a member and lead singer of a newly formed band.  I am a young 60-year-old, and am excited and happy with where my entertaining opportunities are taking me.  I want to be the best I can possibly be in what I do. I want to improve my singing skills, not only for my own happiness, but to give the best I can to the members of my band as well as to any audience I have the honor of singing for.  Type your comment here…

I am 60 years old and I have sung since I was a very little girl. Singing was my whole life. I worked on improving and performed on stage many times over many years. My mother and father were my inspiration and teachers. Both have now gone and I have lost some confidence in my ability and it has caused me much anguish.My hope for The Bristow Voice Method is that I can return to singing and feeling how I used to.

I am 50 and started the Singing Zone on Feb. 28, 2011.  Singing makes me feel alive and wonderful.  I had been very depressed prior to finding The Singing Zone and now I feel energized, happy, and feel wonderful all the time.  I hear the improvement in my voice literally EVERY DAY! I get comments about how great and what a unique voice I have.  My mother-in-law didn't think I could sing (and she was right) until I started The Singing Zone and now she is my biggest fan!  She asks me to bring my guitar over to sing for her.  Four months ago when I started the Singing Zone the comments started out as you sound good to now you sound awesome.  Unsolicited comments.  The Singing Zone took me to a level I never would have attained on my own.  It's worth every penny!  I feel awesome inside and free. Even more so now when I sing.  I still have a way to go, but look forward to practicing every day. At open mic people come up to me and say they have heard me improve over the past four months and that I sound awesome.    My range has increased every week! Thank you Per!  Thank you The Singing Zone!

I recently discovered that singing is without a doubt my One true passion, It has brought life back into my weary soul and I literally feel like ive been born again. I would like very much to continue on the road of progression so that one day I may Live my dreams of pf spreading my happiness and of becoming a world class entertainer.

When I was a young boy my mother would sing while she cooked supper for our family.  I was always amazed not just at her voice but that she knew all the words to so many songs.  I wanted to be that kind of singer… one that didn’t need to read music from a sheet to make it happen.  So that’s what I’ve become.  I hear a song that I like and I download the song, print the lyrics and practice it until I can sing it and know it by heart.  Not just the words but the timing, the melody, when to pause, when to hit it hard and when to be soft.  I make it a part of me and let it seep into my soul.  Then I make it mine and when I sing it, it comes out me.  I love the feeling of singing in front of the crowd when you can tell they are enjoying what they hear.  I have also written several songs of my own and challenge myself to make each one sound different.  I can’t read sheet music and I don’t play an instrument other than the drums… so I only know how my songs should sound when I sing them.  I want to use The Singing Zone to help me write the notes to my songs so I can share them with my band and we can quit being just another cover band.  If I can share what I’m feeling with my words and their notes with my band mates then I think we could make even more great music together.  Then we could share it with others and hopefully make them feel as good about hearing it as we would by playing it.  Music is all about soul and feelings and emotions, you have to project that to your audience.  I want to take these lessons to improve my range and be able to sign a wider variety of music and do it well. I’m looking forward to getting started. 
P.S.  I have a sister that sigs in a band also.  We are going to try this together and use each other for support.

I sing because I love the feeling of it, it makes me feel special, even though I know that millions, if not billions can do it ten times better. It's my way of being heard, when I speak  like I talk very fast and people don't like to listen to me, but I just want to be heard. It's my escape that no one can take from me without a ruthless fight. 
I don't want to outshine anyone but I just want to feel good about myself, and I want the spotlight to shine on me for a change. I'm known as an artist, not in music but in like painting and drawing. But music is what I really love to do, I never get tired of it. And in music people don't really know that I like to sing, because I play guitar and all. 
But overall my own point is, that I want to be heard, by people who aren't willing to listen and almost force them to hear me, because I'm tired of living in the shadows. 

I sing because singing lifts up my spirits. I’m in a better mood if I sing. Singing affects me positively in my daily life. I teach a school choir but only on the SATB aspect and not on the quality of the voice. I would like to learn how to enhance one’s voice so I could impart to my students how to have a dynamic, resonant voice. Basically, I teach because I want to serve the Lord in the best way that I can and also pass on to my students the proper way of singing and serving the Lord. My students have gone a long way since I took over the school choir almost four years ago but I know that they still have a long way to go. We recently joined a chorale competition and it was such a humbling experience going way out with some of the best school choirs within our area. Most of the choirs have really resonant, dynamic, powerful voices. We were awed by the power and clarity of their voices. I just wish I could learn a few tricks or methods on how to have such brilliant voices. However, our school isn’t affluent since it has a majority, less fortunate students and cannot afford the services of a conservatory of music teacher or a voice coach. I just accompany (piano) the choir in their singing and I have no formal education in music and playing the piano. What I have is just a God-given talent to play the piano. I learned to play the piano by myself, no formal training whatsoever. I am now slowly learning on how to read notes and i know that I also have a long way to go. I’m also financially unstable and much as I’d like to support the school choir financially, I’m unable to do so. I also belong to a church choir where I also play the piano. I really would like to enhance my voice and my student’s voices so that they may have greater confidence in themselves an singing which also radiates in their daily personal lives! Thank you so much Per Bristow for all the articles and tips. You’re God-sent.

When I use to sing it would make me feel happy, it was may way of expressing myself when I couldn’t put words with how iI was feeling. It would make me feel good when
others would tell me they enjoyed listening to me sing . I
haven’t sang for quite a few years because my voice goes
horse when I do, but I can still hum which I do every day.

To me, singing is something that I’ve always done. Growing up I wanted to be the next Britney Spears! Haha! But, I never really persued actually singing in front of people until recently. I did drama and was a cheerleader all thru high school so I got my performing fix that way. But, I went to an audition a few weeks back and when I was singing I thought to myself this is what I’m meant to do! I had so much fun! Performing is just in my blood and I hope this program will help make my voice stronger and improve my range.

I am sixty nine. MALE. also I am Welsh, I am member of Cwmbran Male Choir,,I live in Wales needles to say, I Sing Second Tenor, sing everthing, ( except rap) any help would be welome, Colin

Starting back when I was a child, people, including family, have always laughed at my singing and commented about how poorly I sing. Yet, singing has always been important to me in private. Now that I’m 65 I have stepped out on faith and joined a church choir. I certainly need to get my confidence built up!

What singing means to me….. It makes me happy. It is just as simple as that.

Ever since i was a baby all ever wanted to do was sing i always wanted to be a singer my whole life i love singing from the heart not the voice

Ever since i know my self, singing has been a part of my life and not singing any thing than the word that glorify God.

Thank you so much for your web site, i really grab too many things to move on singing unto the lord.

I just don’t have the money to spend on something like this right now – no matter how much I want it. Wish it was different, believe me, but just can’t afford it.

I am 70 and I love to sing I need to learn voice control I sing bass and tennor. I sing in church Choir I even have sang solo several times years ago I have sang on satlight star seek when i was younger but some were i have lost my courage or selfesteam or nerve to sing solo I guess because i have no voice control and i Love singing its in my blood I love southern Gospel and country music. when i here music i love, I want to sing along. if I had had the opertunity to have learned music and how to reed music and had the money I would have learned. but know that i am up in age I have no confidence in my self i can sing in a group harmony and that sort of stuff but no solo i don’t have much money I barly make it now that i am retired and on a fixed incom . I whish that there was some one like you years ago to help teach us god bless every one.

I love singing….. It is already part of my life..
When God found me by his Grace, I became involved in a lot of singing especially with christian songs. As I listened to music, I came to realize that I love it and I want to be part of it. God is wonderful. Through Him, I learned to sing and discovered my hidden talents. I want to worship God through singing and lead people to worship God as much as I do. So that is why I have this eagerness to improve singing.

I am 46 years old, and singing and music has been part of my life since, most likely, the day I was born. My mother loves music, and my uncle is a musician. As far back as I can remember, my mother had music playing in our house, and at every family gathering, my uncle brought out his guitar and we’d all sing a variety of songs.

I have always had natural ability, and have an uncanny ability to memorize lyrics with very little effort, but the thing I like best about singing is the ability to lead people on a journey. That journey might lead the listener from a painful broken place into a place of strength, determination, and victory, or maybe into the very presence of God! There is no limit to the stories that can be told, or the healing that can be experienced!

Yes…healing! Music can be transformative! It can uplift a person’s spirit when they are down; it can promote healing of emotional and/or mental anguish; it can bring joy and encouragement at just the right moment… Haven’t you ever heard just the right song at just the right moment? Didn’t you feel better? Didn’t you feel, maybe, not so alone in your struggles? Music is an amazing gift, and I want to be able to perfect the gift I have been given, so that I can help others experience its amazing qualities!

Not least of all, the Bible instructs me to “study to show myself approved,” and that is what I should do. It is a matter of good stewardship, actually – “To whom much has been given, much is required.” It is my responsibility to not only maintain, but to improve the talent God has given to me.

I look forward to experiencing and experimenting with this method and seeing where it can take my voice!

I have song in choirs before but have never been a lead singer in the group due to my lack of confidence but I believe I have the ability with some voice training. I just returned from a boat cruise and on board they had Karaoke
some nights and there was a fellow within our group who went up and did an excellent rendition of “My Way” with real confidence. I said to myself, I wish I had the talent and confidence as this fellow, maybe one day I could achieve this with a little practice and some professional training. We were all so proud to have someone from our group contribute to this show we all cheered him on.

hi! i am raheman i am 22 years old i from India i love sing but i want to do something special i love Hindi songs and i want to become a play back singer my wish is improve my vice and control the breath so please suggest me how can i do this all?

I love music and singing! As a song writer I really feel frustrated when my lack of ability makes it hard for me to sing my songs the way I hear it in my head! But,I have a passion for music and can’t live without it!!!

So, I would like to be able to bless others with my singing and inspire them through my lyrics and music…..

I use to sing in the choir as well but nobody want me to sing solo and nobody notice my singing(even i sing from my heart still nobody will care about I sing, I do hope there will be some professional training given to me as well but this cost money.

I love to sing. I sing on my church choir. It helps me express my inner feelings . However, I would like to be more confident in my readind and diction.

I can really identify with the comment by Robin on Sept. 28, 2011. I first realized I loved to sing when we were holding hands and singing Silent Night around a huge Christmas tree at the Conference Grounds in Seabeck, WA when I was in elementary school. I studied flute and saxaphone and a little piano in school. But my true love was singing. I began to explore this more when I discovered a guitar in the storage closet of the house I was rooming in while in college and taught myself to play. Now I could sing and accompany myself with the beautiful sounds of guitar and play the music I loved, the music I grew up listening to with my parents. For me, music has been a way to express myself. I have written a couple dozen songs too. But I thouroughly enjoy being able to recreate the beauty I hear in a beautiful song. Making others feel the emotion is a huge side benefit, such as when I sing for the congregation in church. I feel it was God who prompted me to develop my voice and use it, not letting the gift go by the wayside unused. I feel I should obey what I feel in my heart. Singing is a huge enrichment to my life. Freeing me and healing me (and others) and expressing my individuality, and strengthening me.

To Par:
Things are kind of ‘iffy’ right now with the economy (actually with me too). That is why you haven’t heard from me.

I hope, in the future, to be able to take your course.

Unfortunately I dont hearing well as you speak because I just reading In the future when I am hearing well maybe I contact to you. I am learning Englihs yet. Thanks.

It means the world to ME I sing but I want to get better at it so help me become better thanks

Hi, I’ve been singing for about ten years, half of that professionally and with little voice training. I’ve been quite inconsistent in my abilities because I didn’t realize quite how many factors can affect a persons ability to open up and ‘get out of our own way’. When I felt good I sang great, and the opposite was also true. As I’ve gotten to know myself on a deeper level and stopped depending on peoples reactions and (a few drinks) to dictate how I feel during a performance. Very freeing! I’m loving the Bristow voice training videos as they are helping me to relax in my life and be more consistent in all areas!
Thank You Per, for caring enough to bring this to the world so affordably.
🙂

Per, while I love to sing, not only for myself, but for others, I do not sing well. After listening to your FREE video I was very interested in your program. Sadly, due to these economic times I am unable to afford the program at this time.

I have always loved singing. I have sung solo’s and with my late husband in churches. Having just been through ten tough years when music and singing was missing in my life I am now fighting back and would like to be a gospel singer or or even take it further if I can. As a young woman I tore my eardrums and have lost hearing of certain soundsHowever, I can still hear myself in my head and had to sing trusting that. Singing and Art have been the things I was always best at but my parents could not see these as being viable options of work. I am now 62 and really would like to be able to do something well. I too wish that I could have had some voice training years ago. Thank you for this service.

I am 74 years old and all my life I loved to sing. I have always sung in groups and sometimes in choirs and even once I got up enough courage to sing a duet. But I always felt my singing ability was very low and that always affected my confidence to ever try anything beyond what I mentioned here. Now I find it even more difficult to sing because my voice just does not stand up. I get hoarse and my voice cracks and just completely flounders when I try to sing. So I have told myself that lessons or training couldn’t possibly do anything for me now, and that I have now reached the point of no return. But if I ever had the chance I would be willing to try it and find out the real truth.

I love to sing simply because God cannot worship himself,so i want to worship him with that good melody and to lead people into worshiping him,i really love Jesus that is why i wanted to really to know how to sing for him.Thank you so much for this opportunity of our reasons why do we want to sing.

first of all, I would like to thank you for sending me a very good information to improve singing, so that I understand what really going on. After I sang in choir and in a old songs group, so I knew how really my voice is. I tried to improve it a little bit, but after awhile feel stuck, I coudn’t go further. So how happy I am hearing you about improving singing. I feel sorry that I am not in the circumstance to buy the DVD that you offer, although I do like to have it. But what you tell, has given me a n aim where I shoul go, if I will improve my voice. May be God will give me another way how i could fine it. Thank alot for your help. God bless you!

I’m 72 years young and I’ve been singing all my life. I sang in choirs and in church and I sang professionally part time in my 20’s and 30’s. I’ve always had a great voice until about 15 years ago. I found out I had a hyatel hyernia (not sure of the spelling) which caused acid reflux and then I found out I had asthma. The inhalers I use dry out my throat so much sometimes I sound like a frog and my breathing is horrendous. I’ve worked as a receptionist for the last 15 years but my company closed a year ago so I haven’t been using my voice much. I try to give lectures but sometimes my voice closes up so bad I panic and I forget what I’m talking about. I do play keyboard in a band and when my voice allows I sing backup but that doesn’t happen often. I start coughing. I miss singing so much that sometimes I cry. Even talking on the phone is getting to be a problem. I miss my voice…….I’ve been to a throat doctor and there is nothing physically wrong with my throat. Singing lightens my heart…….

I’m 12 and I sing because it’s the only way to boost my confidence: I sing when I’m in school, while doing my homework and using the computer. When I’m left alone and in company.
I just sing…

Singing to me is freedom and expressing myself in a way that I can’t just tell people. Singing brings a whole different side to the world that I want to be a part of.

I like to sing but it seem singing does not like and the cost to improve my voice is so high for a country like ours (Philippines) can you give us something affordable

I have almost physical need to sing. When i have a pause for more than a 3-4 days i feel like starving. Really!
When I am singing I feel a beautiful flow going from my inside that consits of 2 components – physical vibrations of my body wich are pleasurable and other kind of vibrations – emotional or mental I dont know actually 🙂 But this flow makes me wider, broader and more alive.
I am not looking for any special use of my singing but I love to sing for my friends and I need to sing my own songs, cause no one else would do it better than me, at least I havent met one yet 🙂
When I started singing I couldnt sing at all, now I can say I can sing, not a pro, but I still work on it. Cause there’re more and more examples of beautiful voices on a singing scene.

I’m actually a guitarist, and I’d like to sing along with my guitar. However, I can’t sing well so I’ve been hoping to find something that can help me. I’ve gone on several websites and asked my mom for lessons. However, nobody has time to send me or pick me up. ;c So I’m depending on the Internet and I was hoping this site would work.

Music for me is an escape from reality, submerging from some heavy darkness. I listen to a lot of calm acoustic songs, all of them about love. The reason why almost all songs are about love is because love is what keeps the world going. So love, friends, food (Who doesn’t need food? D< LOL) and music is what keeps ME going.

Listening to music is amazing. However, I want to make my own music as well. I want to send my OWN message(s) to the world. I think of myself as a talented writer, and I have several songs written. I have the chords. I have the melody. Yet I can't sing it well. I want to deliver my message with confidence. I want to be good. But I just don't know how. I'm starting to give up. But I'm not the type to give up easily, so I'll keep trying. But I've been trying for a while now, and I'm starting to lose hope. ;A; But I'm hoping that this site will help me. Hoping. Waiting.

It's a terrible feeling to create something that you can't share.

JUST CANNOT AFFORD YOUR PRICE RIGHT NOW. i HAVE JUST LOST MY JOB SO YOU SEE MY MONEY IS LIMITED! SORRY!

Hi Per. My response to your question of what does singing mean to me is this.To me being able to sing is marvellous gift from God. I believe it is to be nurtured and used to glorify and give divine worship to Him. I sing solos occasionally, but am looking forward to being a part of a worship team in a nearby church. Your help would be of tremendous help. However I am not sure we are able to pay for this now.as right now in Jamaica money is extremely hard to come by. But I will not give up. Let’s see if something can be worked out. Will keep in touch.

I hope this doesn’t get too long, but I’m going to use this to tell my story. I’m in my 40s and have always thought I couldn’t sing. I always sounded horrible. Well, about a year ago, my daughter started piano lessons. Since I was going to be waiting for her to finish her lessons, I decided to take voice lessons at the same time and find out once and for all if I could actually sing. In my first lesson, I could hold pitch on only 2 notes. I sounded bad, really bad. My voice teacher said if after 4 lessons I don’t show signs of improvement, I should just give it up. After those 4 lessons, she said I was good enough to join my Church choir. After 8 months, I had progressed enough to get a supproting role in a community theater production of Pirates of Penzance as a policeman. That experience has become my primary reason for singing. I was surprised because I had no stage fright even though it was the first stage performance of my life. Turns out, I love to sing and be on stage. When it was over, I felt like I had hit a plateu and needed something to jump start my singing. I came across your program and decided to purchase it. I haven’t received the DVDs yet, but I did watch the first video on your website. That video made me realize that I needed to pay closer attention to how it feels when I sing, in particular at the “breaks”. I have 2 break points, one low and one high and they have always caused me problems. I have a tendency to lose pitch arround those points (both around the two B-flat notes below middle C). Last night, I had another voice lesson and I focused on how I approach those points and tried not to struggle with them. This resulted in my holding pitch at those points and expanding my range to over 2 full octaves! I was stunned as was my voice teacher. She asked me how I did it and I explained to her what had learned from just the introductory video and that it felt different this time. She told me that whatever I was doing, keep it up. I’m eagerly looking forward to watching the DVDs when they arrive today. Thank you for allowing me to ramble here.

I adore music, anything to do with it, play c d’s constatly, dancing in most forms, but for the life of me I cant put a tune together. I’m not what you call a youngster any more, at 68 and having lost 2/3 of my right lung. I’m not going into medic al history here but this is a major concern because of the lack of breath for singing. I dont want to sing in front of thousands or even in front of friends, it would be just for me, my self esteem would prabably sore. If I could sing a song, keep on pitch, finish and not run out of breath I would be a very happy lady.

singing for me is a way of release. its always a way for me to say the things i cant actually express with words. its also my way to fly off the real world for a while.but then it recently became a thing that i wanna prove i can do…

i hope to learn a hell lot from you..:)) thanks..:))

<3 cathy

when i was younger i had an amazing voice..i joined my school choir and singing was my life then i went i left primary school i stopped singing so now i cant sing as good as i use to …i always wanted to get a voice trainer so could get back my ability an now i have found this site an i hope that it would help me tremendously.

What I think singing means to me is just having fun with it and making my voice sound better. I really love to sing my dream is to become a singer and being famous and having lots of fans that loves me for who I am. I also been singing since I was young. I have my Idols which is Mindless Behavior, Beyonce, The Cheetah Girls and Chris Brown and more. Thanks for asking me the question that affects my life in a good way. It also touch me soul.

Each life is another story. I remember me walking down the street and singing a hymn i heard that day. I was six then. I thought there is nothing to be afraid of, and I didn’t want to wait to get home to let it out. Every moment is time for singing. And the meaning of it is brilliant. Latin used to say ”Nosce te ipsum” and singing is my way to do that. Now I’m 18, and I sing in a group and the songs we learn are not easy at all. I often sing in some manifestations, too. Although I sing every day, I know that I am not so free as I used to be when I was six, but there are still moments when I catch myself humming a song i heard earlier that day in the middle of the street, not paying attention to passers-by.

And yes, I have watched your video, not only once. I think it’s amazing that you want to share your experiences. And I know that maybe in your country, the price for it is not big. But for the seven members family, in the country where I live, with very low standard of life, that is not reachable. And I’m not saying that just because of me, cause I’m sure there are many many persons in that kind of situation.

Still i think your idea is great!
All the best!

i am18 years old and i like singing, more than anything. i am a student, but i can see that singing for me is more important than studying. because, though i am good in some subjects, i have a bad combination. so. it is only singing that would ensure my future. some of my friends and family members told me that my voice is good, which i believe myself. and i have always seen myself singing, whenever i am alone. and even while walking or cycling, because i like it and it means a lot to me. , but the thing is that i have never got the chance to focus and didn’t get any guide. and though i can now see this website, it is far beyond my reach, as it is not affordable and i don’t have the card (but i can pay for a single cd in cash). i only keep praying that this dream of mine would become true.

Singing. Truth be told, I’ve never really thought about what siniging means to me. It just naturally comes. When I’m down, I sing, when I’m happy, I sing, really siniging is just what I do everyday, even during exams I sing!
Singing can tell many people things you wish to say but can’t convey it through sentences. Singing is just like speaking, but with more feel and emotion. I’ve always like singing, and like many others, I wish to be good at it. I want to tell people how I feel through music. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always aspired to be a singer. Even when my friends and family object to it, I still want to try. This proves alot doesn’t it? That singing is my passion, and being a singer is my dream. As what my teacher have told me: Find your passion, live your dream.

To me singing is…. Well singing. It makes me happy. I can express how I feel when I am singing. Ex: when I’m sad I can sing a ballad and when I’m happy a pop song. It just makes me feel good. What doesn’t make me feel good is when everyone tells me to stop singing because I’m not good at it. That is why I watched the videos and am trying to improve my singing. Also, I love to act. Without singing, it is very hard to get a good part in a musical or theatre production

singing makes me feel relaxing but i want to control how to take the breaths and sound good i want to know how to control my singing i want to sing from my stomacch not my throat and i want to sing loud i want to be like taylor swift

To me, human voice is a great mystery. Could it be the soul trying to manifest itself?
I am mesmerized by the voice of Bobby McFerrin, Irish singers and others.
I don’t sing alone, as I don’t like the way my voice sounds, but I am happy to sing at every opportunity with others. While singing we interact at a deeper level and become closer to each other. It is a way to unite in a state of bliss.
If I could really improve my voice, I would be a happier being, more relaxed, confident and fulfilled.
I am 56, but I don’t care how old I am as long as I am able to learn and enjoy being alive.
I live in a country with a low living standard, and the price is not affordable for me, but it is a great joy to know Per and his method exist helping people to approach their real self.

I sing because I love to hear and listen to nice tunes, and like to involve myself / take part in making good voice. I really sing when the words really meaningful to my situation or my life. I really sing to praise and pray to God, and to express myself. By singing I let out my joys and sorrows. By singing in a choir I can help my friends who are not familiar with musical notes, so we can together sing the right way, thys a better choir.
I am interested to know your method and practice it. I am wondering how it works for people in a choir. Thank you for your very interesting and valuable explanation

Dear Mr Bristow, I love singing because when i sing i am then very happy, it seems to me that singing is an enjoyment of the soul if you wish, i can think of no greater feeling than when you are singing or listening to a song being sang, i am now 68 & no money to spend at this time, but when i have i shall most certainly be useing your services to see if you can help me become a better singer, i feel that my voice has improved with age & perhaps with some timely coaching from you i may yet become a singer & not an old man trying to sing badly, i do love country but also like most other kinds of music, i look forward to being in contact with you in the new year. Ps i live in france but am english Yours Faithfully Grinling Gibbons….

My voice seems to be trapped in my throat. I always could
sing on key, however I can’t seem to do that anymore. I did
enjoy singing at home, too. I could whistle also but I cannot
do that either. I would be happy if my voice (talking) would come out normally. Thank you.

Music is my world it keep me alive I breath it every second of the day and just cannot stop and I just want to get better and better

Music is my life my soul

SINGING MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. AND I REALLY LOVE SINGING SO MUCH.MOST OF ALL WHEN PEOPLE WANTS AND LOVE TO HEAR ME SING. I FEEL THAT WITHOUT MY VOICE I AM NOTHING.BECAUSE IT’S MY ONLY PRIDE.I KNOW I HAVE THE POTENTIAL IN SINGING. AND I PROVE IT WHEN I JOINED A CONTEST AND I GOT THE CHAMPION AND IN THE SECOND TIME I GOT THE 1ST RUNNER UP. BUT I WANT TO IMPROVE MY SINGING MORE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I CAN DO BETTER. CAN YOU HELP ME OUT???
THANK YOU!!! 🙂

I love singing, it makes me feel so good. I want to improve this skill.

I forgot to mention that I sing because it brings joy to the hearts of others, and to me. Music is Magic. Music is Medicine!

Why do you sing?..I love.. Why do you really sing?…It’s come in said.. What is it within you that happens when you sing?..Feel Free… Why do you want to sing better?..Every One Ask me to sing..every one love my voice…

I am singer- well, I was a prof. singer, from teeny years, till last year. Begun with “Beat”, went trough all style of music. At last I was musical star, sung allso in Operetas, even opera / kotra alto/ solist.
My voice chords are very special, long and strong. Last outum, I became horse voice- there’s an nodulus on left side.
Why? Because I sung even tenor’s part, next day mezzo sopran, or for my plesure in home studio, diferent style: from rock to clasic. Now I’m punished. I can hardly speak and in spring, next year, expect me surgery…Singing means to me way of life: I can scream out all dirt of this world, sadness, gladness….But now I’m mute like a fish in sea- very unhappy.
Thank You, Maestro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am violinist! I have been playing violin 25 years.Music is so important in my life! I also like to sing,but my voice is not so great,like before,when i was little girl! Iwould like to improve my sining,and have such great voice like my violin has!thanks

To me, singing creates within me a feeling of connection with all of life around me.

Hi per, thank you for responding to my e-mail. SINGING to me is my inner self expressions, is what we go though in life. Through singing and music, i tell my stories. Per, singing lifts my spirits and makes me happy when i just sing out in my car,work, home, or at church..

I have enjoyed singing until the last few years. In some ways I may have sung and got away with it because my voice was
half decent. I had many voice lessons. But I just felt I wasn’t
singing correctly. I would become hoarse after practicing. I
knew something just wasn’t right. I would try this and that
to rectify it. I had ear problems for awhile which didn’t help!
However, now my range is small.. I attempt to sing higher
but my throat tightens, and my jaw tightens. I have heard
so many ways to breathe. So—I did enroll in your class, but
I can’t log in. I have the 4 DVDS, which have helped. For the
last few months I have paid $67.00. Please explain how
the internet system works.I must have lost the directions
somewhere along the line. i am 74 years of age. I hope
this is not a problem Thanks, Elsie Lark

I just sing for my own pleasure I have liked singing most of my life. I really don’t know if I sound good or bad when you listene to your own voice it’s hard to judge because I think everybody thinks they sound great. My type of music is met King Cole and his daughter eddyArnold some of Frank Sinatra and a few others. The question is on 13 December I turned 85 like you keep saying I would like to sing a little better. If you could send me in more detail what I have to do to sing better I would be interested. I noticed on one of your e-mails you have a discounted price I’m living on a small pension that’s why I’m hesitant to just jump into this

I sing because it is a way of communicating and expressing my-self. As a teenager I was very withdrawn, a real introvert. I wanted so much to be able to talk with others with ease and confidence, but instead due to my low self-esteem, fear, and insecurities I often found myself on the sidelines, holding back, time and time again feeling like I was forever on the outside looking inside.
Singing gives me confidence, it lifts my spirit and it allows me to do the same for others. Through singing I get inspired to do and go places imaginable and by doing so I like to inspire, encourage and lift others as well. I feel at home, at ease with myself and with others. It is wonderful to be able to communicate my feelings, my thoughts, verbally, and it is great to sing to myself but singing in front of others and to know that I am positively impacting and influencing others takes it to a much infinite level.

I am 82 and I used to sing in clubs and parties when I was asked. and i was offerd jobs and so on . but i can not do it anymore. I love all the old country music songs and I would love to sing and play my guitar again I miss it so much .I would also be able to yodel again

I may not have tried the program before since i’m only 13 and my mom won’t let me get even a digital copy, but to answer your question, singing is my reason for being here. I keep on singing, even if others don’t like my voice, because my unique voice reminds me that I’m still me and I’m going to become different from the others someday. Singing is my LIFE and LIFELINE.

I cannot remember when I didn’t love to sing. As a baby, my mother always sung to us. I am number9 of 11 kids. Over the years, although I have always gone to voice class I was never satisfied with the quality of my voice. In Winnipeg, I never felt inadequate but when I go home to Trinidad and Tobago I will be so frustrated at the quality of my voice because I would attend the concert hall and the women’s voices would be so beautiful and the ranges so incredible that I would come back to Winnipeg and go to a different voice teacher, hoping that she would help me achieve that special quality in my voice. You can well imagine that the harder I tried the more my throat would close down. It was so frustrating. I have always sung to my children, and my special needs son loves to hear me sing and to sing with him. This is so important to me as it not only makes me very happy, helps my depression( I am on medication for Mental health) frankly, sometimes I am as crazy as a rabid skunk; but it is soothing for my special needs son. I was about to give up when I found darling loving, handsome, wonderful Per on the internet. I finally understood what I was doing wrong. Now I am practicing every day all the time.My dogs are so happy with me. I pant ,I bark, I howl they are so happy that I can communicate with them at their level. Thanks darling Per, you have saved my life!!!!LOVE YOU

A few years back I went through a 10 year period of time when I could not sing due to an illness that left me voiceless for awhile then for a period of several more years, unable to sing even one or two notes without coughing. Up to that point I had sung and directed choirs for nearly 35 years. During the last 5 years my voice has come back through the miracle of God’s healing power, and I can sing again but not with the range nor power I originally had. Through that experience I came to realize that singing is the voice of the soul.

singing means a lot to me, I used to sing in church a long time ago, but I don’t sing any more, however I will like to sing again, but I get the high notes, so I am thinking of gettingyour program.

george.

Singing means loving the Devil.

Singing with freedom means loving God.

I sing mostly to myself because it makes me feel good and makes me a happier person. I sang in high school choir and in church in my younger days. I stopped singing for a while while being in the military for over 20 years. Now I am involved in my church choir again. I want to sing in the church to inspire others to sing out in church and in so doing praise God Almighty.

I grew up being shy for most of my life, and although I enjoy singing, I am always hesitant in singing in front of people. I am musically inclined and have learned to play the guitar and often play along in private. I would like to keep improving my guitar playing and combine it with confident singing, so that I could entertain people. So far, I have written fifteen songs which I would to share with friends, relatives, and perhaps someday the world. Singing and music are very good for the soul.

I began singing popular music when I was about three years old. I never was a great singer, but I do love to sing. Then I learned how to play the piano, and then the violin, and then the clarinet, and the organ. I high school, I joined the chorus so I could sing. I became the choral accompanist. So I joined the Girls’ Ensemble, I became the accompanist. Then I was the first student ever to be allowed to accompany an All-County Chorus part of a concert. I began directing choir from watching and listening to other directors. And I’ve been directing a choir for 22 years successfully. True, it is a volunteer choir in a church, but we have a very good reputation in the city as well as the largest choir. I lost my voice to vocal node years ago, and became unable to sing in the upper range. I sing tenor with the men. I have begun getting some of my voice back but it cracks, squeaks, etc., and I
sound like I’m doing falsetto. I can hear some head tone, but not much. It mostly comes from my throat. I have a very nasal sound, which I hate.

I would like to improve my voice to sing at church. I am a christian and thats way I would like to improve my voice.

Well, I like to sing is because i can feel the spirits,happy enjoy singing. But,on the past, the bad thing is when i sing infront of many people, i easy to get lost even lost voice..
I will try my best to do it. So, i try to go to KTV sing..practice and practice,but i can’t sing it louder..because it is on a ktv music are very loud.and I am standing in front of the screen but some people can’t hear clearly..what am i singing..
When i sing i really feel release, happy and i want to share this happiness to others.

For me singing is the only way I can express what I really want to say: I believe if i am to hold a meeting in the ministry that i am in it would be ideal if I could sing what I wanted to get across to the audience. i am an usher and also a choir member, I would love to sing a song that will be able to touch the soul of individuals that listens

Singing is for me the expression of a unique individual authenticity. Singing is the reflexion and expression of the soul emotion expressed. Singing as far as I’m concerned remains as of today a Dream but I intend to make someday hopefully soon that Dream become reality. The sounds emitted by the voice are as powerful as words. These sounds are the music of my being. Above all, singing is the expression of your inner deep true Love and when you posses a singing talent, it is and should be your responsibility to share it with whom you feel comfortable with.

I enjoyed all the comments about why people like to sing. When i hear certain singers sing a particular song( usually it’s a romantic or sad song ) i get tears in my eyes, if it strikes me emotionally. I would like to affect people in the same way if i could rise to that level from the bottom where i am now. It is a wonderful thing to be able to bring out such strong emotions in a performance whether it be sports or any other endevour in life. Peace to all. Gene

Mr.Bristow,
I used to sing descant soprano part. however a few years later i got sick n lost my voice entirely for 2 weeks. Since then i haven’t been able to sing barely an alto part. every time I try to sing my voice cracks n breaks even on the lower notes is very frustrating. having been a smoker for many years I guess it is to late to do anything. Just browsing your website n dreaming I guess.

What singing means to me is that I was always the shy kid in choir class scared to sing out loud because everyone around me sounded so good and I wanted a voice like that, but my teacher gave me advice about singing and that’s when it hit me so I started practicing singing like crazy everyday even if I was good I wanted to be better and now my voice is really improving thanks to The bristow voice method after taking his advice I sound alot better.

Singing means EVERYTHING to me. I have been singing before small congregations since age 5. Didn’t get the opportunity I needed to make it a career but I write my own songs with the hope that one day, if I cant do it myself, someone will take one of my songs and bless the world with it.
Singing pulls on the me in me. In sad times, happy times or anytime, I just keep singing. Words are not enough to explain it. Singing comes from deep within the heart of my soul.

I started singing in church at the age of 16, my pastor’s wife at the time, called me up to the piano and asked me to sing a familiar song with her! I didn’t know I could sing, I never really thought much of it. Since then, singing means my way of expression! While I do prepare for when I am going to sing whether solo or in any size group, there is nothing like singing, it is like my second language, something so much a part of me, that I feel I would be so devasted without being able to sing!

As a child growing up I always love to sing. I love to sing and worship God .Singing give me peace and joy when I am doing my household duties this help me accomplish my duties quickly.

i’m not into words so much as sound. making sound is really important, especially when i’m travelling alone in a car on a long drive. i like to make all sorts of sounds, high, low, in between – all to express my soul/heart. it feels beneficial, giving, clearing, soothing, divine, normal, commonsense, healing all at the same time.

probably if i was honest with myself, i’d like to make a cd of sounds expressing the love and peace in my heart.

I’ve been losing my singing due to health reasons but am hoping that will change for the better at some point. Right now, the little I’m able to do is about expressing what’s inside (songs that I’m writing) and about keeping old traditional songs alive

My last concert with the choir was over a month a go, and then immediately after the concert, I lost my voice for two weeks and then it returned but not my singing voice. It shakes alot when ever i try to sing, and i also run out of breath easily. Do you think there is any hope for me, because i love to sing, but can no longer join the choir with this shaky voice.

singing 4 me melts heart’s obstructing blocks. It gives one a reason 2 smile n live on.

i’m 15 years old, i wanna be a recording artist and i wanna perform worldwide, it’s my dream. i can sing well already and i have a good vocal range but i can’t project my voice well. i think it’s because my voice is breaking. singing is my life and i hope you can help me improve my singing and my confidence – Ivon.

Singing has been my life, all my life. I was an accomplished accompanist as a young person, but all I ever wanted was to sing. I had several people tell me to forget about singing and just focus on the piano, that I wasn’t very good, even teachers! I had a couple rounds of voice lessons, but it was my own burning desire and initiative that led me to join a band at the age of 20, to play and sing backup (I was always a great harmony singer). Through meeting other professionals, I soon picked up on tactics to improve my singing, and went on to perform professionally for the last 40 years.

I would love to have a singing voice that is as good as it can possibly be. I was a good treble singer as a young boy, but when my voice ‘broke’ I seemed to lose the ability I had. I am now singing in the base section of the church choir but I have HUGE room for improvement. I would love to have a beautifully resonant base voice. For a year I practiced the scales in the Bel Canto method with a top European operatic tenor, who was living in Australia, at the time. However that really did not seem to give me any worthwhile result. So I am impressed with what you have to say about your method and what can be achieved; including improved self and singing confidence, improved breathing etc. Sincerely, Christopher Ind

I actually earn money singing. I am a pianist/accordionist with an outdoor wedding coming up this week,and I am most unhappy with my voice at this point because I have had a terrible month with coughing. Whooping cough, I guess, and my voice is so lacking that I’ll have to do the instrumental only. People love what I do and start smiling as soon as I take my accordion out of its case, but to be able to sing and accompany myself is really my talent and it is my repertoire, too. I am quite nervous because I know singers can lose their voices more or less permanently. I am not entirely dependent financially on my music-making, but it has been an important source of supplemental income, and always a source of joy for myself and my audience. I don’t know if you can help me.

When I was younger, I used to sing nonstop. Then growing up, I thought that my voice wasn’t good enough. So I stopped singing…well, not completely, but I stopped singing in the shower, in the car, in the house. Through the free video, I regained my confidence to sing. And I even signed up for my school’s choir. God has given me a gift, and although I was insecure about it at first, I now want to use it to bring joy to others the best way I can.

I sing because it makes me feel happy!

I always wanted to sing opera when I was in high school, but I ended up getting married and having a baby. Then I smoked for more than 30 years and lost my voice! Twelve years ago I quit smoking and started getting my voice back. It is such a thrill to be able to hit the high notes again, but I would like to be able to really soar again. I will be ordering this program as I am working for my Bachelor’s degree in Music and have a recital scheculed in a few months.

Singing is basic to my life; i sing in church, i sing in choir, i sing with people while i’m watching TV. It generates joy. And singing more effectively, with more knowledge, would make such a great difference; approaching the problems you mentioned, losing range – i can’t sing so high anymore so now i’m a 2nd soprano; having to take another breath during a phrase; those things have bothered me but i didn’t know what to do about it. You have the answers.

Because I love music.

I sing b’coz it makes me feel happy and free. to be honest i show my emotions by singing, i want to improve my singing so that i will have the confidence to go up the stage or something and show my emotions to other people. i knw this sounds lame lol…

Singing is my life, my stress releavier,my best friend. But most importantly my goal in life.

I like to sing it makes me feel good other friends like my singing that keeps me in to singing i like playing guitar making my own songs up i like singing it is fun to me

FR LARRY

When I attended an Aboriginal Culture Talk in Yanchep WA Australia , I learned that music and dancing was understood to like a communication between their gods and dreaming and the people . Like a telephone line to God . It made complete sense to me for the first time , because when I sing , its like throwing open the windows of my heart and sharing my secrets and talking to something or someone . When I am distressed and I try to sing , my throat just feels cut and I cannot make a sound , the pain is indescribable . It is all of the above too , but I have never sought an audience , but I do wonder what it would be like to let the world see what my heart sounds like . Scarey !

I really want to improve my voice because it means so much to me. I want to be heard. I want to let people know my joy and sorrow, my feelings and thoughts. I want to have fun singing with freedom, and take my heart out for everyone to see who I am.

What can I do to hit the note. My piano teacher tells me I am tone deaf. I want very badly to sing, thats why I,m learning to play the Piano.

Singing is how I express myself. If I’m sad, I sing something soft and melancholy. If I’m angry, I sing something with fire in it like rolling in the deep by Adele. When I’m hyper, I like to sing a fast-paced Kesha song. When I’m in church, I love singing praise and worship songs, and I have written several. I like listening to and singing with almost all kinds of music. There’s just an undescribable freedom that comes with expressing yourself through song. I hope to sing proffessionally someday. We’ll see what God has in store:)

When I was a little girl, my only wish was to be a professional singer. I use to practice, practice,practice. But even though I had perfect pitch, I thought my voice was not good enough to be a professional. I did like to sing in Choirs in school where we practiced until we memorized all the words. This was helpful to me because I was a slow reader and would have trouble keeping up with words as in Church as I do now. I also in Church miss words therefore comfirming that I’m not good enough. My voice is very week, it quivers and cracks if the note is too high. All in all it has not discouraged me from singing. I still sing in our choir which is made up of three men and myself. The men over-barren me. So does the organ. So I am hardly heard. I would like to change that. Also I do not have a vibrato in my voice. I wish to also like to accomplish this. When I saw your video, I got so excited. Maybe there is hope for me at age 56. I love to listen to a beautiful voice. I would love to sing with no effort. Will you help me to achieve this. Maybe God did intruely give me a gift of singing. Roes Teuscher

Singing is one of the best thing that has ever happened to mankind, weather your a singer or not everyone sings and persons sing for many different reasons however, whenever i sing, it gives this feeling of warmth and comfort, it’s the best way to express how you truly feel and you actually can help so much persons by singing when they are down just by you singing if we think about it most persons tend to play music when they feel down and it has to do with someone singing in that recording but what if they had a live performance hence I just want to sing to one worship God, express myself and make myself feel better and also touch persons with my voice in millions of ways.

I love to hear people sing, and I myself love to sing, but most of the time I cannot make the high notes and have to stay silent, more so if doing group singing. I always pray that someday I would be able to take those high notes and be proud of myself, I am over sixty and still hope that soon I will surprise myself and do what I really would like for myself. Some persons says that I have a nice voice,but for me it is not enough. Please give me some advice on what to do to change and bring out the best in my voice. Thank you in advance for hearing me out.

I just love singing period and so i will love to become a much better singer to be able to express myself in which ever song i may want to sing either in english or spanish .Most of my family sing professionally and it is part of our history from great grandparents to present so it’s just natural that i love singing and want to be much better at it .

I’ve sung all my life, but have had absolutely no encouragement of any kind. In fact people nor family knew I sang. A few years back I decided to take chances and audition. Although extremely nervous (shaking) I have ended up in local shows and receive nothing but praise and compliments. Singing is one of the most important parts of my life and always has been.

Singing is soul food!

Singing is something I have always enjoyed and loved doing for as long as I can remember! To me its a whole new world and its just like a place where I go to for comfort and fun and relaxation. It means a lot to me and I have always been trying to improve and do better than what I can do. I’d do it everytime if I had my way, it’s the best!

Having thought very hard – I still don’t know – Music has come uninvited into every part of my life – radio -TV – in the lift [elevator] while shopping – My taste is as diverse as there are types – I want to embrace music

I have a reasonably good bass/baritone voice and do enjoy singing good music.Gilbert and Sullivan operettas are a pleasure to sing.I am in the Tauranga Civic choir and love oratorios,Faure,Handel,Mendellssohn, Brahms etc.It is pure joy to perform.I sing at retirement villages and hope it gives people some pleasure.If it is not fun I don’t do it.

this is my belief, that life would be dull and boring without music and singing, I sing to praise The Lord, and I feel that by giving Him, praise and glory from my innermost being, I<m giving everything that is within me, This gives me much satisfaction and blessing, then I am able to bless somebody else who has a need, or feels downhearted, I sing and rock my grandchildren to sleep, they must love it, it seems to work everytime, These are my main desires to learn to sing properly so that I can sing in the church, as I find that singing brings much joy to the people.

I love singing.I sing to entertain and to educate people, and also to entertain my self.

Singing musics is to make me recognized as being and a really happy. Especially it leads my spirit to a comfortable and constructive world and the moments regardless of passing times and where I am. When I sing any hymn, I can feel something which makes me be strong by virtue of our almighty God.

Singing means alot to me because through singing, it brings healing to some people, deliverance, to some people, depending on what one may be going through, I’m a church choir member and some people have told me Thanks, the song you sang was right on time, I needed to hear that….I have been to nursing homes and did sing to the little ones there and some said they were delivered from pain just through the singing, I want to perfect my singing that God maybe Gloryfied in my singing, I don’t want to just do it because I can, I want it to count for me and know that through it I;m helping somebody….sing mean alot to me.

I started singing when I was a child as a way to escape the reality of my situation. Today, living with mental illness, I sing for the same reason, and as a healthy outlet for negative emotions.

What does singing mean to me? Singing means life to me. Its the expression of whats in my heart and what I’ve been through in life. My hurts, my pain, my fears, my hopes, my victories and triumphs! Some things in life cannot be expressed through mere spoken word. Singing amplifies whats in my heart. It transcends the things that I have personally been through in life. It gives me the freedom to express myself in a way that I cant do in spoken words. To me singing transcends spoken word. Singing is free like the wind! Its also part of my culture. As an indigenous Australian, singing is also my history book handed down to me by my forefathers. Its a story book not limited by mere ink on paper…Its alive! I love singing so much that I will be purchasing your vocal teachings and methods in the next few weeks Mr Bristow, to do what I have always done my whole life and it do with all my heart…but do it better, with the thought of reaching my fullest potential and ability that is within me…Reginald Maza

I always wandered if i might have the courage to join the church choir where i attend and what made it for me to join it, is the fact that a friend who teaches music told me i could sing as a base and that singing to God is like praying twice. That stayed with me for two weeks and in the end i joined. I very much would like to improve my voice as i have noticed that sometimes i can’t go up in scales very well with certain songs, which leaves me unsatisfied, and it would be also great to be able to sing solos, that of course will only happen if i improve my voice Bonaventura.

I like to Sing but my voice is not really good. Singing gospel songs makes me fulfilled and closer to God.