When Is Too Old To Learn To Sing?
Posted on 19. Sep, 2009 by Per Bristow in Health, Singing
I did something wonderful last weekend! Bear with me as I explain why I’m sharing this and why I think it benefits you. See, in my teens I waterskied a handful of times, and I remember it as being so unbelievably fun. But in almost 30 years I hadn’t done it. Until last weekend….
But was I even going to be able to get up out of the water? What if I fell all the time?
Yup that’s me in the picture. What was also so much fun was how well it went. I popped up on my first attempt and was slaloming as if it was 30 years ago. And, boy, did I feel good afterwards!
As a side note I should mention something you may not know, and that is that I always cheat.
I’m kidding of course when I say “cheat”, but the truth is that it wasn’t the first time in 30 years at all. I had practiced several times the day before, and on the boat ride – even while my kids were trying to psyche me out. Yes, I had practiced in my head.
Well talk more about the art of visualization and mental preparation another time though. The reason I mention this event is because of this email I received:
"Per, I appreciate your emails, but I have a problem. I used to sing solos many, many years ago, but haven’t sung much lately. The problem is that I am 65 hears old, and although I love the idea of being able to sing again, it is probably too late."
There is no denying that there are many physical changes in our body as we age. There is no denying that we lose muscles strength and flexibility. However, too often we make "age" the culprit – or the excuse, if you will. Realize that many young people – even kids – also run into voice and other physical problems. So although there are certainly things we will never be able to do as well as we once did, it is certainly never too late to have fun. It is never too late to do activities that inspire us and make us energetic and vibrant. It is never too late to learn and develop.
You should know that although we don’t keep track of the ages of our members of The Singing Zone, there are many who are well into their 70s and 80s who have spontaneously written and expressed their gratitude and joy.
The Singing Zone is not a program where a certain age or skill is a prerequisite. Although many professional and semi-professionals are members, there are just as many who have never sung before. Since we are about developing awareness and taking you from where you are to where you want to go, your level or age is really irrelevant. Singing is indeed for everyone.
I remember I felt I was “too old” when I was 26. Old or young is really a mental state. As our bodies transform our minds transform, we find new activities that inspire us. Singing is one of those activities that has no age limit, unless we are judging they way we sound towards some limiting ideal. My grandmother starting painting well into her 60s, my dad still sings in the choir. There have been studies that have shown incredible improvement among 80 year olds who started weight training, and we can go on and on.
What do you think a 100-year-old would think when a 65 year old kid talks about things being too late? Take a look at this video of Roger Gentilhomme one day after he turns a 100 years old and then post your comment below.
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Carlotta
20. Sep, 2009
As a kid, I liked to sing, but didn’t have lessons. Mine was a large family and there wasn’t money for voice or instrument lessons. Now, in my 50s, I decided to go for it. I take voice and piano. My friends encourage me, and laugh, but they think it’s mostly just for “fun”. I do this to try to be as creative as possible in life. That’s really the most fun part of being in your 50′s. Now, I’m singing solos at church, not just singing in choir, and I do solo canting. A couple of weeks ago someone in the congregation sent me-basically, my first fan email! O.k., singing when my coworkers show up could be scary. I see now that singing is very much a mental game. It’s too easy to psych yourself out of doing anything! Go for it! It will be worse looking back on your life and knowing you didn’t try!
Catherine Mein
20. Sep, 2009
OOPs I made a mistake! I meant I would look for a mandolin(or ukelele) with four strings for oldies like me- NOT a banjo as they are too big to cart about and for an ex violin player have too many strings!
Catherine.
Catherine Mein
20. Sep, 2009
Hi Per,
As you know I am now 70, and since I spoke with you last have suddenly gone completely deaf in one ear and lost half the hearing in the other.
For the benefit of others I invested hundreds of pounds in Per’s Singing Zone with the individual
on line lessons when he was offering them. It was my absolute best 70 years old present and investment. My remit to Per was to keep me singing clearly in tune without a geriatric wobble until my toes turn up.
TThe lessons are fabulous and I, after 70 years can now reach a top B quite effortlessly in long heavy & high opera practices (Cav & Pag) & a choir.
As an oldie, singing with others has made feel stronger & fitter and even though tonight I am nearly stone deaf, my neighbours said my top notes & pitch are great! (I am a top soprano)
Thank you Per!
Bonus: after watching the four videos, my husband who insisted he could not sing, now joins me
Wish we’d met Per decades ago, but then of course he wasn’t born!!!
Next challenge is to find a banjo & sing folk songs in small evening gatherings (Think I could only handle 4 strings & I’ll need to turn my volume down!!!)
Per’s one to one lessons are enormous fun & we do lots of laughing as well as singing & he’s not the least bit scary. I recommend them. Sadly I’ve only one more to go.
Good luck all you oldies, never be embarassed by your age. Think young & you’ll make a young sound!
Best wishes and keep singing in to your 100s!
Catherine.
veto n.
20. Sep, 2009
My dear Per….
I am 77 years old and have been singing for as long as I can remember. Today’s generation now considers sex, drugs, rock and roll SCREAMING as music, which I will NEVER understand, but kids will ALWAYS be victims to big money. I have gotten some good points from you, and some of your methods have really worked for me. My karoake gigs to some nursing homes and adult care centers have been rewarding just from the smiling faces I see. After month 3, I’ll tell you more…
Chuck Luckenbill
20. Sep, 2009
Finding this site has been fun and interesting. I’m 75; sang a lot for forty years, choral and lots of solo – classical and church music. Got to sing with several major orchestras, and with major conductors. Loved the experience, though never studied music (half of Thompson piano, Book 1 when I was 10). Studied voice privately for four years with an ex professional whose husband taught conducting and directed the opera program at a major school of music. Enough – the point being, I got busy with a business career and raising a family, and didn’t sing for 20 years expcept for the occasional church solo with holiday oratorios and a couple of charity fund raisers. Retired a few years ago, am dealing with some ongoing health problems, but we’ve moved and gotten into a church that has a strong music program – so I’m back at it, chorally speaking. It’s amaziing how much capability I’ve lost, and a lot of that is, of course, physical. But musicality has suffered, too. Singing with the choir is helping me with that, but I’ve had to spend that last year doing “vocal reconstruction”. And here’s where I can enthusiastically endorse Bristow’s methods. Core concept for me, right now anyway, is “Sing with freedom.” Get out of your own way, and let ‘em have it! It works in lots of things, but it’s basic in sports, and it works great for singing. It’s an important rehab tool for me, vocally, and it’ll be a lot of help in other ways too.
Gee! Enough said. Keep up the good work, Per, and best wishes to all. Have fun.
Chuck Luckenbill
Vickie Gamboa
20. Sep, 2009
I am turning 62 in a few months. Do not have any voice lesson, can not read notes but love karaoke singing with relatives and friends. How can I improve my singing to sound like a professional.
Loyce!
20. Sep, 2009
Per: If you believe you’re too old to sing than you’ll be “too old” to sing. I am 60+ and started my own uke band 10 months ago and when our leader is absent I take the lead and this is not easy because I need to sing to lead–sometimes alone–so I’m taking your course to build up my voice muscles and develop my range and I believe my self assurance will build as well. I am concerned about what I can and might do and look to the moment and am amazed at those who resist giving voice and claim not to be “singers” because they have set up obstacles by becoming enmeshed in what they believe they cannot do. See it; hear it; believe it.
Anne Foster
20. Sep, 2009
Per: I am 65, female, and was a professional singer in a top-five opera company in the chorus. I have always been complimented for my beautiful voice. I am having problems now with pitch which my voice teacher says is not a “ear” issue but one of support. She always vocalizes me up to Bflat but I can’t do it on my own. The problems seems to be of stamina and giving up when things aren’t perfect. It’s OK when I’m with a teacher or coach, but I have the problems on my own. The perfectionism is very detrimental to my progress. I don’t have the pitch issues all the time and sometimes only certain intervals in either ascending or descending in a vocal line. I want to have hope that I can sing my favorite arias again with diligent practice. I’m my own worst critic. I now sing with a major symphony chorale but had an awful audition recently. I want to believe because I have sung all my life that I can continue. Many of your commenters are pop singers. I’d like to hear from some classical singers too.
Hannah
20. Sep, 2009
I learned to sing harmony in the church choir growing up, sang with a semi professional group The Christmas and Spring Revels in Cambridge Mass in my 30s and not much after that. Three years ago I started attending a folk music evening in England where I now live, having enjoyed British folk music for 30 years. I started singing solos, unaccompanied, and also am learning to play two new musical instruments and brush up on my guitar. I sing better than I ever did. The head of a local folk club came up to me after hearing me and said…”You are really good! I didn’t know you could do all that.” She started asking me to perform with her. I now sing at about 5 different clubs in Somerset, just floor spots as I’m still building up a solid repertoire. I know that I sing better than I’ve ever sung, and the secret is singing often, practicing as I go about my day so that the words are integrated, then the instrumentation. I’m 69 years old.
Jean Redpath is one of the greatest interpreters of Robert Burns music in Scotland and her voice has gotten better and better as she ages.
I started to learn to play fiddle when I was in my 30s. I gave up, telling myself I was too old. If I had kept on with it, I could play pretty well by now! Don’t talk yourself out of doing what you really want to do! Make it a priority!
Metje Butler
20. Sep, 2009
Hi Per…You asked for things people have become aware of; My cat taught me to exercise ! At 18 years, he went galloping across the yard and up a tree ! and amazed, I said to myself, “Wow ! I’m not supposed to lie around, either ! So I started to take classes at the local “Y”. That was about 30 years ago, and now I also go the weight room and use the equipment and the free-weights. It feels great to be fit and energized, and I thank that dear old cat, who is now long-gone, but alive in my memory; he died at 22.
Mr.Gentilhomme is also a great role-model.
Metje
Jim Nurray
20. Sep, 2009
I am 76, never been a singer. I just want to be able to sing in church and not be chased out onto the street Just getting started with lessons and feel good.
Greg
20. Sep, 2009
Thank you for your encouragement. I am 45. I wish all instructors had your view. Personally, I think I bring an energy and personality to the stage that only comes through life experience.
Janaki Lessard
20. Sep, 2009
Thank-you so much for sharing the story of Mr Gentilhomme. It was just the inspiration I needed. I gave up a wonderful singing opportunity when I was 17. I had a recording contract with a small Spanish company while living in Madrid (my dad was military.) It was so awesome. I never thought I was “giving up” singing but the struggles of life made it so. At 57, the recurring depression over choices I’ve made, has smothered any desire to sing. The belief in myself to do so was non-existent. Then I found Per’s site & ordered the 4 DVD set & intend to use it with my 9 yr old daughter (who loves to sing!) Reading this 100 year old man’s story & hearing his winning attitude has truly convinced me that I am only too old IF I believe that I am too old. I now say that I am NOT too old! I am going to sing again! Thank-you Pers!
Bev McNeil
20. Sep, 2009
Hi–I’m a young looking 72 yr. old recent luekemia survivor (in remission but still taking oral chemo medications) and have recently re-started taking private voice lessons. I love music and have always sung wherever I lived and in all my readings about surviving cancer, or anything, it says do things that your love–make you want to get up each day. Keep active and exercise-eat well. I knew all that,but it is medically documented to keep the badies at bay.You’re never too old to start something. It’s not always as easy as it was before, but nothing’s impossible. Thanks Peter for your positive, holistic approach. Gratefully, Bev
Pat Cegan
20. Sep, 2009
My childhood dream was to ride with the cowboys but girls were not allowed. I am 65 and a volunteer in Brazil. And I ride from 4 to 10 hours with the cowboys, herding cattle. I also started singing again when I joined a church whose main way of worshipping is singing. We often sing from five to eight hours. I could not do it at first but within a few trys was singing again. Now I want to learn to sing much better, just for my own pleasure and to praise the Lord. We are never too old to live our dreams. When I quit my job seven years ago and walked away from the GOOD LIFE to live in the jungles of Brazil, people thought I was nuts. I have never been happier and never regretted my decision. Live your dream and anything is possible. hugs, pat
Wayne Young
20. Sep, 2009
Per,
I am 66 and a blues rocker. I have learned more about singing from your program than over 50 years of performing.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Wayne Young
Per Bristow
20. Sep, 2009
Thanks folks,
No I don’t get discouraged easily, and I seldom delete posts. However, there is a limit, and Paul’s was so off topic that it has been removed. I don’t want you to be sucked in by the negativity and feel you need to come to my defense. So now that we can be positive, let’s hear your comments. Thanks all!
Curtis McCausland
20. Sep, 2009
Hello Per,
I have been watching your posts for a while now, waiting for the $$$ to buy one of your lesson kits. This is my first post and it’s in response to Paul who thinks it’s ridiculous to talk about sports. I have had previous vocal teaching, and one of the things that she had all of her students do is walk around the room with books on your head, or do the backstroke with your arms all while singing. Another things she used to tell us is that ANYONE who has a normal speaking voice can learn to sing. Per, I know you don’t get discouraged by others easily, so again this is more for him for encouragement to listen to the out of the ordinary things. Who knows, it could make him a great singer. hehe
Cam Lynch
20. Sep, 2009
Great blog Per!
Paul, it has everything to do with singing! You have to understand that things are all connected-it is about the learning – whatever the subject is. Per is brilliant to weave in other matters in his blog. You have to be more open or you’ll never get where you want!
Cheers,
Cam
Maarja Kaplinski
20. Sep, 2009
Thanks for that ! I will turn 45 in a couple of months, and I wondered if I was EVER going to get those high c-s back, haha. That`s really encouraging:)