I have to admit to being a bit apprehensive about entering what I fear might be hostile territory. I am old (73) and, dare I whisper it, I like classical music and song (opera, lieder, songs from musicals etc.). I had a glance at the other posts in this forum, and I seem to be pretty much on my own, maybe just one or two veering in my direction, so I hope the rest of you won't be too vitriolic towards me.
I used to sing, and once took part in a Sky TV talent show. That was when I lived in London, where there was plenty of opportunity to have a "croak". As I haven't sung for about 15 years, the voice is very rusty and needs excercising. Private tutors are a bit expensive for pensioners, and, up here, near Blackpool, where I now live, they mainly seem to cater for children. Although Blackpool might rightly be considered the entertainment capital of the northwest, in pubs, where once there would have been live musicians able to accompany most singers, now there is only karaoke and pop.
Singing is great way to aerate the lungs, excercise various muscle groups, stimulate the brain and help keep you young, and there should be much more opportunity to engage in it.
With each passing year the voice deteriorates a little 'til, one day, it won't be able to sing at all. The one talent, maybe not great, that nature gave me at birth, was the ability and desire to make music with my voice. Unlike the Italians and the Welsh, we English seem too embarrased to sing (properly) and as a consequence we miss out on one of nature's greatest releasers of stress and emmotion.
I used to sing, and once took part in a Sky TV talent show. That was when I lived in London, where there was plenty of opportunity to have a "croak". As I haven't sung for about 15 years, the voice is very rusty and needs excercising. Private tutors are a bit expensive for pensioners, and, up here, near Blackpool, where I now live, they mainly seem to cater for children. Although Blackpool might rightly be considered the entertainment capital of the northwest, in pubs, where once there would have been live musicians able to accompany most singers, now there is only karaoke and pop.
Singing is great way to aerate the lungs, excercise various muscle groups, stimulate the brain and help keep you young, and there should be much more opportunity to engage in it.
With each passing year the voice deteriorates a little 'til, one day, it won't be able to sing at all. The one talent, maybe not great, that nature gave me at birth, was the ability and desire to make music with my voice. Unlike the Italians and the Welsh, we English seem too embarrased to sing (properly) and as a consequence we miss out on one of nature's greatest releasers of stress and emmotion.
