I probably have a better than average voice. It used to be very good - no training - but after years of screaming at my kids it is decidedly worse! Anyhoo, I've only ever been good at singing certain styles of songs, mainly light opera or some choral. I'm terrible with pop songs, they always seem too low, and I'm not great with traditional hymns although some of the Christmas ones I am good at.

Is this normal? I thought if you could sing, then you could sing anything. I went to a beginners singing class the other day and I had to sing a pop song and then I sang Amazing Grace. The singing teacher said that the latter suited my voice much better and I felt more comfortable singing it. And why do I find most pop songs sung by females too low. I always have to sing along an octave higher, which ends up being too high really.

Yes. Everybody enjoys singing different types of music, and people often have voices that suit particular styles. Of course, both these can be expanded on - people can discover new music, and they can learn to sing in different styles. As a teacher, my philosophy is to focus on the music which people enjoy singing, but to encourage them to not close the door on other possibilities. Most pupils end up singing, and enjoying, styles which they wouldn't have first considered.

That sounds normal to me. I definitely think your voice lends itself to certain styles better than others, particularly if it's untrained. I think that with training you can learn how to use your voice to be able to sing different styles if that's what you want to do. It can extend your range too.

I've even found that with some training, and within my chosen style (musical theatre), my voice isn't always consistent. There are things I can do on some days that I can't do on others. I'd like to think that with continued practise my voice will become more consistent.

What was your singing class for? Sounds interesting.

I don't think it was particularly high brow but it was a group of ladies led by a singing teacher singing different songs. Mainly light entertainment songs. I think I need some proper individual singing lessons but I'll definitely keep going as the ladies were all so lovely.

My problem is not knowing if I am singing in the right key. I can't tell if I'm singing too high or too low. Most of the time I'm told that I am singing correctly but in the back of my mind I worry it's the wrong key and I simply can't tell if it's right or not. I feel as if I'm constantly "winging" it!

That sounds fun.

If people are telling you you're in the right key then you probably are. You're right though that it'd be a good idea to have some proper lessons. It would definitely make you more confident with this and with your voice in general. You'd also address some of the things you mention in your first post.

Go for it! Make sure you find a good teacher and you'll love it. It's one of the best things I've ever done!

Some Kodaly work would help here, I think..

Well I know she can find the tonic reliably

Don't tell me it is in the fridge and goes well with the gin.

For vocal inconsistency a teacher who uses solfege can even out inconsistencies and wandering tonal centres is a a good idea. There are lots of ideas in the Kodaly tool box and in a that are useful for ear training.

I have a tenor who faces similar problems and the first tool I deployed was solfege and applying it to exercises.

Cyrilla is the Kodaly expert. We have a mutual friend who has introduced me to a lot of his ideas and the ones that work in various situations I use as he was certainly a wise man.

Every teacher however when they look at an over all pedagogy has to look the rationale behind it and how they think and work and how each situation presents its self. This is why Cyrilla and Bagpuss will talk about a tool-kit.

I think a singer that subscribes to Kodaly's ideas would suit you best as that way your technique can be worked on at the same time. I'm sure Cyrilla would know someone in your area.

Dang, jod beat me to it!

He'res one I prepared earlier:

Looks like we've successfully derailed this thread. Sorry MNW, way off topic. Er, when your voice is behaving inconsistently suggest you...

I'll get a bottle for the Royal Phil then and we can end up in a Karaoke afterwards!