Sing It!

Why everyone can sing

Anyone who has ever attended primary school in this country will remember the joy of assembly. Well, perhaps not the tedium of the headteacher awarding countless Mathletics certificates, or the sports coach warning against stealing the tennis rackets again. No, the real excitement of assembly was the singing of songs from ‘This Little Light Of Mine’ To ‘Cauliflowers Fluffy’ which our generation remembers fondly to this day. Since time began, when singing was a mode of imitating sounds in nature, the voice has been our most accessible instrument. Why is it that so many of us are quick to abandon this commonplace hobby? Is it embarrassment, or the insecurity that it doesn’t look as good on LinkedIn as Model UN or debating? 

My own personal singing journey has not been straightforward. I distinctly remember at a family wedding, after singing a song in the congregation, being told by a relative that she and I ‘just had weak voices’. My seven-year-old self was incredulous; I knew I loved to sing, and didn’t want this unwelcome criticism to perturb the fact. I decided to throw myself into singing of all kinds, in school choirs, musicals, and even a cappella, which to this day remains a guilty pleasure. I was determined to prove that anyone, with the drive, could sing. 

Unsurprisingly, with constant practice, my voice improved, as it has for others. “It’s like building up fitness”, suggests Tilda Stewart, who notes that singing regularly with the St Andrews Madrigal Group has allowed her to pick up the good singing habits of other members. Alongside musical improvement, singing in a formal setting helps improve mental alertness and concentration, according to Opera North.

“[The voice] is an instrument we all have access to,” fourth-year student Lucy Horton rightly argues. Like a clarinet, for example, it requires rigorous breath control; like a violin, it demands keen attention to intonation. Many people, particularly from non-musical backgrounds, hold a fundamental assumption that they cannot sing. In fact, only one in twenty people have congenital amusia, rendering them tone-deaf (bad luck). One has to wonder if it’s about how personal singing feels; unable to hide behind an object producing the sound, singing comes straight from the heart.

However, this insecurity seems to melt away in particular social contexts. One interesting cultural phenomenon is how in certain situations, bad singing is expected. Take karaoke, for example, where a drunken ‘Come on Eileen’ is favoured over a perfect performance. Singing happy birthday or lyrics in the club is more about shouting than producing beautiful melodies. However, these remain routine sources of joy for all kinds of people. Why? Because singing produces happy hormones and is a force which brings people together. Situations in which terrible singing is encouraged provide a safety net for the insecure vocalist. Why not, then, take the leap and allow the joy of singing to play a greater role in our lives?

For the aspiring singer, it’s vital not to compare one’s vocal ability to that of others, who are often faking it as much as you. “A lot of people think they can sing […] confidence gets you a long way,” notes fourth-year Camille Ryder wryly, something true on both a local and international scale. Many celebrities ameliorate their tone through autotune, or with the help of skilled backup singers. It isn’t as easy as it seems. An example which springs to mind is Mamma Mia’s soundtrack, on which half the actors objectively sound terrible, but the high production value and energy poured into the songs make it a much-loved album. 

For anyone wanting to sing, technology holds the key to accessible tuition. Exploring TikTok, I found countless videos providing vocal exercises that even professionals use. I can’t verify their effectiveness, but if they make singing less daunting, I’m in support. In St Andrews itself, there are plenty of opportunities to sing without the pressure of an audition, like the St Andrews Chorus or the Vocal Bandits a cappella group. ”There’s no point holding off on something you wish you had done or want to do - you might as well make the most of the fact that there are places here to get involved,” says first-year Terence O’Neill.

It’s certainly cliched to say, but as with any hobby, singing is conducive to forming new friendships and more. My uncle and aunt met singing in St Leonard’s Chapel right here in St Andrews. “Singing allows for better communicational skills and heightens emotional intelligence, allowing you to connect with people,” second-year singer Hanna Ward believes. Amidst the bustle of student life, singing has provided me respite and true happiness, and reader, I hope it can for you too.