Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

npr.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 54 posts

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#41

Post by frissonlabs »

_ptf7 wrote: post #20
laurieg wrote: post #4

To those thinking "I want to sing but I just can't sing." I encourage you to get one on one lessons with a professional. I started out not being able to sing at all. Couldn't match the pitch, I just sounded like I was trying to "talk in tune". My voice would get very tired very quickly too. It took a long time, but the change is huge. I can sing in tune now. I can sing much higher. It sounds pleasant. My voice doesn'…

I have been wanting to work with a professional. Any advice on how to find one ?

My girlfriend is an opera singer and voice teacher who's pivoting to primarily online lessons. She's working on establishing an online presence and is offering free consultations and promotional rates. If you're interested, email me at the address in my profile. She has substantial experience teaching people with technical backgrounds (such as me) and is fluent in communicating concepts accordingly. I'd suggest at least the consultation so she can guide you in the right direction, if anything!

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#42

Post by frissonlabs »

I don't have any innate talent. My journey began with taking a singing class back in university and then taking voice lessons and classes at the local community college four years later. It took about 3 years of consistent practice and training with a great voice teacher before I felt I developed an admirable instrument. My self-confidence definitely skyrocketed, and I consider it one of the best investments in myself, even if it's not something I pursue professionally. The external validation is great, but the sensation of singing is even better.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#43

Post by vonseel »

emptyfile wrote: post #39
tastysandwich wrote: post #2

I have a habit of singing publicly. I did not realise this was socially abnormal until I was about 21. I suppose it helps that I have a pretty decent singing voice (baritone), but I'm also quite loud and my voice really projects (so I'm told). I can't stop though. I made a compromise - I won't sing in public places (eg train, walking through the city), as people will think I'm mad. But I will whistle. And I'll sing a…

Singing in the office seems like the most obnoxious thing ever. Can't believe anyone would tolerate that.

Agree 100%, and I’ve recorded hundreds of songs myself. I’m not against singing, but it’s not something I generally walk around doing anymore (in private) unless I’m going through a heavy music phase. And I would never do it in public, even if you’re good at it that’s incredibly obnoxious and annoying.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#44

Post by tartoran »

Whoever wants to learn to sing as an adult, beside exercise and drills what really helps is to live monitor onself on headphones, maybe add a bit of effects too. The immediate feedback helps a ton. Same for voice generally, live monitoring is a fantastic feedback mechanism.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#45

Post by tartoran »

yowlingcat wrote: post #7

I feel a little silly admitting this (which itself is silly because I can understand how ridiculous it was, now that I'm older), but I remember when I was a kid and I used to innocently sing along whenever I felt like it. My sister was a fantastic singer; she was an opera trained soprano and, as kids, in comparison, I was nothing special. I think back to a time where my mom heard me singing, thought it was off-key, t…

Absolutley, in the end is’s learning to control some muscles, breathing and air: tongue, throat and abdomen. As a kid it sometimes clicks naturally but as an adult it requires some deliberate practice.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#46

Post by tartoran »

felipereigosa wrote: post #34

I once read that singing might have evolved before language proper to enhance group cohesion. If so maybe there's a deep instinctive pull towards it. There might be something to this idea, I'm an atheist but when I saw that titanic scene where they are all singing together in the chapel I felt ... something. Maybe I should find a secular way to sing in a group like the a cappella in the article.

If you hold the same pitch with someone it instantly clicks some form of connection. It’s wonderful. Do try to find a way to sing, you will like it.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#47

Post by tartoran »

t-3 wrote: post #10

Contrary anecdote: My grandparents are over 90, but they're lifelong members of a religious community that considers music and dancing sinful. Personally, I quite enjoy singing and music, but it seems strange that an attention-seeking activity would be correlated with longer life.

Singing can be done privately, I’ve never heard anyone say singing is attention seeking

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#48

Post by throwaway290 »

iakov wrote: post #28
worldshit wrote: post #26

Singing might be good for yourself, but is very nasty for those who live around you and don't want to listen... Please make sure to sing/play instruments from within an insulated location!

I am sorry people don’t like it. However it is my home and I will do whatever I please in it - while staying in the boundaries of common sense and local laws regarding quiet times. Don’t like it? Deal with it.

Such a comically hostile attitude. Believe me, there are plenty of ways for me (if I'm your neighbour) to make your life hell, too. I'm really sorry you don't like it, but you'll just have to deal with it.

The key to peaceful coexistence is restricting yourself to accommodate others. Like singing? Go take a walk in the woods (or along a busy road, I personally do this).

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#49

Post by iakov »

throwaway290 wrote: post #48
iakov wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am sorry people don’t like it. However it is my home and I will do whatever I please in it - while staying in the boundaries of common sense and local laws regarding quiet times. Don’t like it? Deal with it.

Such a comically hostile attitude. Believe me, there are plenty of ways for me (if I'm your neighbour) to make your life hell, too. I'm really sorry you don't like it, but you'll just have to deal with it. The key to peaceful coexistence is restricting yourself to accommodate others. Like singing? Go take a walk in the woods (or along a busy road, I personally do this).

Such a comically hostile attitude! The key to peaceful coexistence accommodating others. Don't like my singing during the day? Go take a walk in the parking lot, or along a highway.

See, this works both ways. Singing is loud, playing instruments is loud. Pets and babies can be loud. People can have guests over and throw parties, and those can get loud too. Should everyone forego those activities, or do them in an "insulated location" to accommodate everyone? I don't think so.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#50

Post by throwaway290 »

iakov wrote: post #49
throwaway290 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Such a comically hostile attitude. Believe me, there are plenty of ways for me (if I'm your neighbour) to make your life hell, too. I'm really sorry you don't like it, but you'll just have to deal with it. The key to peaceful coexistence is restricting yourself to accommodate others. Like singing? Go take a walk in the woods (or along a busy road, I personally do this).

Such a comically hostile attitude! The key to peaceful coexistence accommodating others. Don't like my singing during the day? Go take a walk in the parking lot, or along a highway. See, this works both ways. Singing is loud, playing instruments is loud. Pets and babies can be loud. People can have guests over and throw parties, and those can get loud too. Should everyone forego those activities, or do them in an "in…

It doesn't mean foregoing all potentially annoying activities, it just means mutual respect. If you sing loudly enough to bother others and are asked to cut it out, a "deal with it" response is basically an anti-social tantrum. As much as you like the sound of your voice, not everyone else does. Deal with it.

It goes both ways, indeed. Good luck if you're ever my neighbor, you just might have to move;)

PS are you actually comparing singing to having children?

Post reply on HN