The Risks of DIY Singing

woman holding video camera

Trying to learn singing through videos or books may not be the best approach. While learning instruments like the piano or guitar from videos and books can provide some useful tips, it often leads to many technical errors. These errors, although memorized, won't physically harm you as an instrumentalist. However, technical mistakes in singing can seriously damage your voice, leading to issues like vocal edema, nodules, polyps, and other significant vocal problems.

Have you ever realized you were singing the wrong lyrics after many times of performing a song? I recall in music school when I had to learn a large repertoire for an operatic performance. I opted for a shortcut. Without YouTube back then, I borrowed a recording from the college's music library and listened to the opera repeatedly until I thought I had learned my pieces. However, during voice lessons and opera workshops, my instructors pointed out numerous notation and timing errors. Despite learning from a recording, I was singing incorrect notes and rhythms. This happened because I believed I was memorizing accurately, but my auditory memory wasn't perfect.

I discovered that everyone makes mistakes, and it took twice as long to correct the errors I had memorized incorrectly. This shortcut cost me time, practice, and embarrassment in front of colleagues, professors, directors, and producers. I learned not to trust everything I hear, a lesson that stayed with me.

How does learning from a recording relate to watching something on YouTube, TikTok, or other platforms? Long-term memory, whether for multiplication tables or singing, is built through repeated practice. One mistake can lead to permanently learning an error, and multiple mistakes can result in spending a lot of time correcting them.

The next question is how to determine if the person teaching is qualified. There are high school students online demonstrating "how to sing." Who are these individuals? What are their credentials? Is the "instructor a singer who uses auto-tune?” Many videos on YouTube show people demonstrating breathing and dangerous singing techniques. These platforms are filled with contradictory information. How can you be sure you can trust them?

Another concern is needing reassurance that you're doing what you think you are seeing and hearing. Singing with incorrect technique can lead to visits to an ear, nose, and throat doctor and some uncomfortable tests!

Learning to sing via YouTube or similar platforms isn't the wisest method. You need ongoing supervision and correct practice with a qualified voice professional. Avoid shortcuts and do it right from the start. Ensure you research the voice instructor and their experience. Of course, you could contact me to make sure you know what you're doing!