Thank You! Options

[Inacka]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributes here, and especially the teachers who provide their professional knowledge.

I've always wanted to learn how to sing, and finally took the plunge about a year ago. Unfortunately, the first teacher I found wasn't good, and I ended up straining my voice after a few lessons to the point that it hurt to talk towards the end. This didn't really happen in lessons, but they could never explain to me how to practise (and possibly didn't even think that I actually would have the dedication or motivation to regularly do so between lessons). Once, they even told me I was wrong when I told them that it felt like I was pushing to achieve a note (the note sounded nice and resonant, but felt completely miserable and unsustainable). Thankfully, I'm intuitive enough about my body to know what isn't right in spite of what others may say, and stopped lessons with this person after I felt like I'd given them enough of a fair try. I finally found my current and amazing teacher, in large part thanks to this forum.

There is so much information on singing on the internet, but most of it is just junk. Maybe it's because of all the reality shows, and because the instrument is part of you, but so many websites sound more like commercials, people with an agenda, or people who want to be helpful but really have no clue what they're talking about. It's hard to wade though the information to find what's truly valuable and honest. If it wasn't for this forum, I don't think I would have had the intellectual knowledge to back up what I was feeling, or be more discerning about finding a good teacher.

So ... thank you so much for everyone's helpful input, and the passion, energy, honesty, and love you teachers have and give for your subject. It helps us all.

Happy Holidays! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

[Dugazon]

Great post, Inacka! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

There will never be a consensus about every last little detail when it comes to singing.
I personally believe it is good that way - it keeps us thinking and questioning things (hopefully also our own approaches every now and then!), and that's the only way to ultimately progress...