Date sent: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 19:23:29 EST
Subject: Re: how old
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

I began to study at 10, but I had a high freaky voice. C above High C.

I also teach and I don't believe that young children should be taught
tecnique at all. It is not really a matter of grasping the concepts, but the
fact that young children's vocal apparatus are not fully developed, and it is
dangerous to try to train an underdeveloped instrument. 12 or 13 may be a
safer age to begin with serious study commencing around 15 or 16.


I believe that it is better to start a child out with other instrumental
training which would give the child fundamental musical skills which can
later be used in vocal training. I realize that everyone has different
reasons for learning to sing, and everyone also wishes to learn a different
style of singing. So to some extent it may be those reasons which determine
the path each individual will take. CMJ