My very dear Welsh friend, Yvonne, was very proud to be, in her words, “the only person in Wales who can’t sing!” She could sing – very loudly and very confidently – just not in the same pitch, tone, or key as everybody else. But she loved to sing during karaoke evenings, even though she knew she probably wouldn’t be invited to join any Choirs. 
She laughed along with her friends, audience members became new friends, she had a great time and she gained all the benefits from singing that other singers gain…
I sing with three Choirs; two Church Choirs and a Community Choir. I taught myself to read music and, because I don’t think I can hear rhythm, I do a lot of beat-counting. I suspect my enthusiasm outweighs my talent, but, for me, singing is pure joy, and I’m going to share why…
So…what are the benefits?
- Singing increases the number of positive neurotransmitters in the brain, releasing feel-good chemicals – endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. I also believe that the right song can also trigger oxytocin – the love chemical
- Singing is perfect for reducing anxiety and stress. Even just singing along to the radio on the drive home from work after a busy day at work will help to reduce stress
- Singing can help with improving lung function; breathing for singing increases use of muscles around the ribcage as well as improving lung capacity
- Singing is a good cognitive workout as it engages both hemispheres of the brain, with focus on memory, concentration and creativity; we may be reading the music (or at least the words!), remembering the tune, listening to the timing and adding dynamics to the notes – quite a multitask but it usually all falls into place
- There may be a particular song, whose melody and lyrics resonate with you, and singing along to it can release memories or deep emotion
- Learning to sing, or developing your singing, is a skill you can set yourself as a challenge; as well as practising singing in tune, you can learn to read music and you can develop your controlled breathing
- Most of us can sing. Clinical Amusia (the term most used to describe the phenomenon of being unable to perceive and produce music) is mainly a congenital impairment, and not common, so it follows that the vast majority of us can learn to sing in tune – Yvonne was the exception but she didn’t care, and just carried on singing anyway. You don’t have to worry about singing the highest Soprano notes, or the lowest Bass notes; there are different voice parts to suit vocal ranges and there will always be songs that work with your vocal range.
“The only thing better than singing is more singing” Ella Fitzgerald
Lets now take a step forwards, and look at The Benefits of Joining A Choir;
There are Choirs in every neighbourhood, for every level of expectation, ability or confidence; Community Choirs, Church Choirs, Chamber Choirs Choral Societies, Rock Choirs…most, in their own way, “perform” to an audience or Church congregation, which can be an amazing self-confidence boost, not to mention the “high” afterwards, when it has gone well. Take your time finding a Choir you feel comfortable with; the right Choir and Choir Director can make the difference between the Choir being enjoyable…and being a life-changing experience.
Community Choirs focus on enjoyment and singing a wide repertoire of well-known songs that most people will recognise. Most Community Choirs don’t audition singers, with everybody being welcome, and it doesn’t really matter if you aren’t experienced as you can just follow the singers around you – we’ve all been there!
Chamber Choirs and Choral Societies tend to sing more formal pieces, such as Requiems, to a very high standard. Emphasis is on accuracy and professional-standard presentation, and it is helpful to be able to read music, and be “tuned in” to timing and listening to other voice parts. They may require an audition or at least a “voice check” to ensure that you are singing in the correct vocal part for your voice.
Church Choirs tend to sing mainly Hymns and Anthems, which range from Baroque to Modern. Again, being able to read music, and listen to other voice parts, is helpful. I can’t hear rhythm, but I do a lot of beat counting, so I just about get away with it!
Although different types of Choirs have different objectives, they all have common ground. Research (Clift, S, et al, 2010) has found that Choral singing can greatly contribute to our wellbeing. Synchronising our singing voice with other voices enhances social bonding and, being a shared interest, it encourages conversation, friendship and a sense of shared achievement. It can also be a great boost for confidence and self-esteem – learning the notes, getting timing right and singing how the conductor wants the music to be sung is quite an achievement! If you’re not too confident speaking to new people, you can focus on your singing – the social bonding will develop in time. If you’re not too confident singing, start off quietly and just sing what your neighbour is singing!
A few years ago I sang with a Choral Society; the sound of nearly a hundred voices singing the first few notes simultaneously was, for me, like a plane roaring along the runway, and is a memory I will never forget.
Singing can be good for health, wellbeing, morale, lifting mood, bonding, relaxation, friendship, self-esteem, self-confidence, finding a sense of purpose, learning new skills and producing those all-important feel-good hormones. Just something to think about…
www.backontrackhypnotherapy.co.uk
Resource Reference
Clift, S et al (2010), Choral Singing and Psychological Wellbeing, available at: https://researchgate.net