The power of singing is boundless, it can transport us to another place and make us forget the world we’re living in. When we listen to a song that captivates us so much, we might be inspired to give it our own personal twist. Let’s face it, we’ve all encountered that one good song we love belting out to. Whether it’s with a group of friends, in our car – accompanied by a head-bang (and air-guitar gesture!), whilst doing the house chores, or perhaps, if we’re trained enough, professionally. It’s interesting to note that taking singing lessons is not only beneficial to the actual skill of singing, it may very well help a multitude of other aspects in your life.

This is why The School of Popular Music prides itself on teaching singing, because it is not only an activity that is looked at as a past-time, but an facet of life that can have cathartic effects on a person as an individual. Below is a list of 12 benefits singing has that are sure to enhance one’s life: 

1. Well-being

More often than not, when we catch someone singing, and might wonder why they’re doing so – be it at home or in the workplace, they do so for one simple reason – it makes them happy. Studies have shown that when a person sings, it has a positive impact on their mental health by releasing endorphins into the bloodstream, similar to what we experience after a good workout at the gym. It is these very endorphins that produce this ‘feel good’ factor. We’ve all heard the saying ‘Music is the therapy to the soul’ the same can be said for singing, so much so, even medical professionals back this theory up.

2. Breathing

A whopping 75% of singing boils down to breathing technique, the remainder is about the voice itself. Mastering the skill of breathing is essential, because it is the breath that provides you with that energy and projection. Apart from improving your overall technique, perfecting the breathing method is advantageous for students who:

• Lack confidence
• Suffer from Asthma
• Suffer from Depression and Stress

3. Building Confidence & Self-Esteem

Singing could also be seen as a vehicle to overcome shyness in people from all walks of life: be they a schoolchild or a businessman. Apart from the morale boost that the student gains from working assiduously at a skill and thriving, the positive reinforcement given by our teachers at Music tuition Guernsey, fosters self-esteem and self-worth in each and every student, by showing them that they are well-deserved of such individual attention and that others are cheering them on to the road to success.

4. Singing Progression and Developing Musical Talent

Facile as it might seem, singing lessons are there to strengthen your skill and recognize whether you’re hitting the right notes or not. Therefore the value of professional vocal coaching cannot be stressed enough. This means having the knowledge of when you’re pitching the notes perfectly, because the amount of breathing involved is beneficial not only for your skill but ultimately for your lungs.

Moreover, the student will be made aware of how to inhale and exhale the air. According to the grandfather of child music education, Shinichi Suzuki, who was also the brains behind the ‘Suzuki Method’, children are not born with innate musical talents. He claimed that such aptitudes are taught, developed and honed just like when learning a native language.
5. Learning Study Skills and Keeping Focus

Because singing lessons require an amount of memory exercises, such a system of learning can be transferable within the academic realm. Students are given the opportunity to discern their learning styles that best suit them and enhance the way they study, giving them a head start on learning independently. Likewise, regular voice lessons and practice sessions aid students in developing their levels of concentration, determination, self-discipline and responsibility to frequently practise and work towards goals both in the near and distant future.

6. Increase in Brain Function and level of Intelligence

Research has shown that music instruction has proven to help students develop advanced complex hand-eye, hand-to-hand and right-left brain coordination that in turn increases their multi-tasking abilities, complex brain activity, spatial cognition and fine motor skilled activities such as typing and writing. Studies have also revealed that children who take voice lessons score higher IQ points than those who don’t.

7. Singing as a Character Builder

Students who study classical music develop a stronger moral character and have a far higher probability to get good grades in standardised tests and much less likely to participate in substance abuse or criminal behaviour.

8. Better Listening, Speaking and Communication Skills

Trained musicians are far better at differentiating subtle speech inflections and ‘reading between the lines’ of a person’s message. Singing lessons have also been shown to improve the quality of the speaking voice when it comes to enunciation. Additionally, improvement in facial and body language, eye contact and confidence are all added bonuses singing brings with it.

9. Developing Creative & Artistic Awareness

Thinking ‘outside the box’ is an asset to any successful professional, whichever business sector they might come from. Indubitably, singing lessons allow children and adults alike to refine and use their creative and artistic skills in a structured manner.

10. Music as means of connecting with others

Often referred to as a ‘universal language’ – and rightly so, music cannot be underestimated with the power it has to connect people. It is a channel of connection that manages to break language and cultural barriers, to communicate thoughts, ideas, emotions and impressions. Music and singing surpass any other communicative medium inasmuch as it communicates and touches the soul of men and women.

11. Singing as a mode of Self-Expression

Just like any art form, when a person takes up singing lessons, this opens a new and deeply powerful medium of emotional education and expression, allowing the singer to ‘give a voice’ to the emotions of both the composers and their own. Singing is a medium where a student can understand and connect with a form of art where both the intellect and emotion are so profoundly stimulated. This therapeutic practice lets the student leave the singing lesson with a feeling of enrichment and meaningfulness.

12. Singing as a form of Catharsis

This aspect of music is as true as it is well-known. Although not all music genres nowadays can be considered as having this effect on its producer and listener, it has been scientifically proven that Classical and modern art music contribute in many ways when it comes to peace of the mind and body. Such therapeutic qualities include: lowering blood pressure, soothing stress and chronic pain and prompting healthy breathing.