Can you "learn" to sing?

[garycat]

Is being able to sing in tune a natural ability or can you learn how to do it?

Edited by garycat on Sunday 5th May 16:50

[boxst]

Yes you can although it takes lots of practice and preferably a tutor.

I learnt quite a lot from the silly 'Sing Star' games on the PS3 -- it shows you where to pitch your voice.

[Fantuzzi]

Yep, its like anything else, go get lessons, do grades etc.

You really know the difference between a mock singer and a real one.

[mat777]

I've been trying recently and it is very difficult to learn! Try humming it first, once thats pitch perfect then move to singing very softly, then gradually raise the volume after a few practices whist still keeping it in tune

[Mastodon2]

There is obviously a lot more to it than just bashing out karaoke hits, but having a background with another musical instrument will help you identify notes, and whether or not you are sharp or flat if you are singing along or trying to learn a song. I'm not saying you will or should be able to identify a note by name just by hearing it, but you will attenuate your ears to correctly pitched, which should help you to learn to sing in key. Then, consider working with a tutor on things like breathing, vibrato, phrasing, projection etc.

[singlecoil]

It's possible to use a chromatic guitar tuner to check your pitch on sustained notes. They have built in microphones, or if you are using a mic anyway there is usually some way of connecting it to the PA system.

[CarCluster]

Practice makes better, certainly. Some do have a innate talent for perfect pitch. I do a bit of songwriting and am not blessed vocally, but over the years - I have got better at hitting the notes more quickly first time.
As for "projection, etc. - singing is a physical activity and practice in using the right bits of the body will help.