You Wouldn't Want to Hear Me Sing

Yes I would!! Now, let's talk about what's underneath that.
--Liz Jackson Hearns

Being somewhat of a textbook extrovert I make a point to meet a lot of new people, and I love hearing other people’s stories. It’s such a generous thing to share pieces of what make you who you are with a total stranger and I’m grateful to be listening. Especially in Chicago, where almost everyone has a story about arriving in the city from somewhere else, I am captivated by the events and situations that brought you here to this moment, talking with me. You’re from the suburbs and you need the spark of city life? I totally get that. You’re from L.A. and you want to be closer to family? That’s amazing! You’re from Austria pursuing a career as an architect? How cool! I’m here to hear you, and I’m honored to do so.

Sometimes when I’m out in the world and I meet someone new, they ask me what I do. When I respond by telling them that I’m a voice teacher, so many people say “Oh wow that’s cool! You wouldn’t want to hear me sing.” Those exact words. You wouldn’t want to hear me sing. I think those words are so interesting and insightful, because what I really hear when someone says that is, “I don’t deserve to sing.” This is a common sentiment especially among adult beginners, and I am passionate--compelled, even--to listen to where this comes from.

Too often I think the idea of “singing” is exaggerated as a sacred magical art form, that it’s reserved only for the truly gifted and any attempt to express yourself through singing without achieving perfection is an assault on everyone within earshot. “Singing” is either done publicly with great virtuosity and showmanship by those who have spent thousands of hours honing their craft, or it’s done privately in the shower where no one can hear. And if you try to “sing” for fun, you better not be too loud about it, and you definitely should not show emotion or let on that you’re connecting to yourself through your voice in any way, because someone is probably about to throw tomatoes or stones at you for opening your mouth at all.

Any of that resonating with you? Yes? Let’s talk about it.

Singing, or as my AT teacher Jeremy and I call it, Body Imagination Sound, is a joyful expression that everyone gets to experience. You deserve to experience the feel-good, messy, raw sensations of making noise with this amazing instrument that lives in your body. You are allowed to connect with yourself through your voice and share that connection with other people. It is a gift to connect with someone else through singing because it can literally make your hearts beat together. Have you ever found yourself singing along when your friend starts humming a song you like? Doesn’t it feel great to be at a live concert, sensing the energy around you? I was at a Tool show not too long ago and found myself overwhelmed with joy at hearing 18,000 people singing along at the same time. Singing is cathartic, pleasurable, beautiful, immersive, calming, healing, and of course you deserve to experience all those good things!

You deserve to feel good, and it’s ok for you to sing just because it feels good. And it’s ok to sing, just because it feels good, out loud.

There is no threshold, no gatekeeper, no sign that says “You Must Be This Talented To Sing.” So when someone says, “you wouldn’t want to hear me sing,” I always respond enthusiastically with “yes I would!” And I mean it, of course. I want nothing more in the world than to hear you sing, to witness and participate in your unique vocal expression because no one’s voice is exactly like yours, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to listen. Tell me your story, in your own voice, with your own special musical sauce. You don’t have to be an expert to have a voice you love and to share it, if you want to, with the world!