Can someone who does not naturally have a good ear for music be taught to sing a

Question:

Can someone who does not naturally have a good ear for music be taught to sing at the professional level?

I'm one of those people who wasn't born with an amazing ear. I don't have perfect pitch, nor was I even born with a good sense of relative pitch. I've been studying voice for over four years now, and although my tonal quality, breath support, and range have improved and increased dramatically since starting, I still greatly struggle with pitch (namely finding harmony, but still occasionally melody).

Is this something that can be taught and I should still continue to work at it, or should I just accept a possible fact that some people were born with good ears and that I am just not one of them?

I'm an aspiring actor who would love to work in musicals, but I know my ear will probably be the one thing that will greatly hinder my progress in finding work. There are other things I also need to work on (always perfecting my craft, no?), but this one is probably the biggest hurdle I'm trying to jump, and I'm wondering if I am ever going to be able to get over it.

Thanks for any help!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Hi Eric,

Most music majors and performers do not have perfect pitch. In one way that may be a blessing. Can you imagine how annoying it must be to people with perfect pitch to hear people singing off key?

I suspect much of your challenge is in feeling like you can't do it. See if you can find a way to relax and enjoy singing somewhere without worrying so much and it may become much easier for you.

I studied music in college and am a pianist but certainly not a natural vocalist. Voice was a required subject. What really helped me then and still helps me now when I do it is to sing with a choir and stand next to someone who is a strong singer.

I can find the pitch by listening to their voice and adjust my own it if is not exactly right. Back when I was in college the person I sang next to would help me with hand signals (up or down) until I got better. Eventually I was able to hear whether I was on pitch or not.

You may find that you sing naturally flat or sharp so just being aware and simply adjusting your "natural" pitch by slightly raising or lowering it may help.

In your voice studies do you do exercises that have you sing intervals (scales, thirds, fourths, octaves, and so on)? Does your instructor play intervals on an instrument (usually a piano) and have you identify them? Both of these types of exercises will help improve your pitch.

If you're not doing those types of exercises, you might benefit from studying with different instructors. You could even take a class at a local community college. This may be called "Sight Singing" or simply Voice. Contact the instructor who teaches the classes, explain what your goal is, and ask if there is an appropriate class for you.

To find a private instructor ask at colleges, research online and read reviews and recommendations, and ask at music stores. They will often know the best instructors in your area.

Local performers often either give or take lessons so if you hear someone whose voice and skills you admire ask them if they teach, have an instructor, or can recommend someone.