Can someone be taught how to sing?

If you take training, yes it's possible. My voice was much better before it changed. But I've been taking lessons and it's getting better again.

"I am probably the only one that thinks she can really sing and has a powerful voice."

I think she can really sing and I think has a powerful voice...

As long as you're not tone deaf, then yes you can be taught to sing. I think it's harder to teach someone pitch, then just how to sing.

essentially, someone could learn the fundamentals. But as far as being taught to sing on a performing level? Highly unlikely. I believe people like Sutton and Idina have God given talent with stage presence. If someone has a moderately 'okay' voice and goes to a voice teacher who encourages them to sing. That's where the "rejects" of American Idol come in. Unfortunately, people aren't as blunt as Simon.

Well, I guess it IS genetics. It's not like anyone can learn to sing like Kelly Clarkson. But if you take lessons, you can only get better (granted you have a good teacher), and maybe work your way up to a level where you can perform songs, even if they're not among the most challenging. Sometimes people have a voice locked up inside them, and it teakes some technique to make it come out the right way.

As far as being hard of hearin in one ear..I'm not sure that'd be a problem. A challenge, perhaps, but you can probably work around it. I remember Elliott Yamin from American Idol this past season was something like 90% deaf in one ear, and the boy could REALLY sing.

As it was profoundly put to me:

"You are born with a gift, and you are taught a talent"

In other words, anyone can learn to sing properly. But you may not come out sounding like (insert your favorite singer here).

---

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Your posts are very encouraging. I've been considering taking singing lessons, but I wasn't sure if it would be worth the effort. Now, how does one contact a good teacher? Is there a website for this?

---

I truthfully think that you are just born with the talent to sing. Yes, anyone can be taught to sing, but that doesn't mean that they will be taught to sing well.

---

I agree with what somebody said above about how it's much harder to teach pitch than it is to teach singing technique. I have a few friends who are hopelessly tone-deaf, and are likely to remain so. On the other hand, I think there is a bit of singing that you just have to be born with. Maybe you need vocal chords that are properly shaped or conveniently shaped to facilitate stronger singing, or something like that.

---

Ok- thank you Ladyofthe Lake.

---

"Maybe you need vocal chords that are properly shaped or conveniently shaped to facilitate stronger singing, or something like that."

This is true to an extent. There are actual several studies in which vigor of vocal cords can be linked to race. The study actually found that individuals of african descent had thicker and less delicate vocal cords, while individuals of norwegian descent has thinner, more delicate cords. This is part of the reason you will find African-American gospel singers with abhorrent vocal technique that can perform for decades without experience damage to their voice. And, this also suggests that individuals of Norwegian descent are much more prone to nodes, polyps and even cord rupture.

---

Just remember: "Singing is just sustained talking" :)

In all honesty, I too agree it is both. You're born with a bit of it, but lessons certainly add to it. I talked to a great voice major at my college, and she believes lessons are the only way one can truly "get good," and excel for lack of better words.

---