Step by Step Vocal Tips to Cure Tone Deaf
Can tone deaf really be cured? Can someone who is tone deaf still have the ability to sing? Exactly what is tone deaf? These are all very important questions regarding tone deafness and singing. There are a lot of misconceptions and myths to it. Maybe people don’t understand the true meaning of tone deaf. They also don’t understand the science behind it. In order to cure tone deaf you must 1st understand it. Tone deaf is when a person is unable to to hear different musical pitches accurately. The proper term for tone deaf is called amusia.
What causes tone deaf?
What causes tone deaf? Is it something you’re born with? Is it something that’s developed? Or is it even something that’s only in your head, but in reality an illusion? Yes, tone deaf is real. There are some people who’s perception of musical pitch is off. However, tone deaf can also be cured. Also a lot of times what people call tone deaf is actually another musical defect. But once again with proper vocal tips and vocal training all voice related defects can be healed. Here are the top reasons behind tone deafness and how to fix them.
- Something you’re born with – the sad reality is, yes tone deaf is something you can be born with. However, most tone deafness doesn’t stem from birth. It stems from other aspects of a person. However, being tone deaf from birth can also be cured. Being born with tone deaf stems from a possible nerve malfunction that allows you to distinguish musical sounds from one another. About 4% of the population are actually born with tone deafness.
- Loud voice – another factor that can cause tone deafness or the illusion of tone deafness is having a loud voice. This can apply to having a loud singing or talking voice. The thing about most people with loud voices is they don’t recognize their voice is loud. They’re talking so loud they can’t hear the tone they’re talking in. This means they don’t realize how loud they’re being so they have no clue to lower their voices. It has to be brought to his or her attention. If you have a loud singing voice and you sing loud even when there’s no need to, eventually you’ll sound out of tune. The best way to fix this is to sing lower and softer. Focus on vocal exercises that teaches you how to have a sweet voice tone.
- All in your head – another thing that can give you the illusion to being tone deaf is what’s in your own head. If you’re a singer who thinks a lot when singing this will interfere with your entire performance. Your performance and voice will go flat. You’ll lack emotion and lose touch with your audience. It’s fine to use vocal tips and build technique. However, you don’t want to sing in your head. Doing this can not only ruin your tone but just about everything regarding your voice. Maybe someone criticized your singing before or told you you were tone deaf, now you have a complex about it. The best way to solve this dilemma is to get with a vocal instructor and also mediate before you sing.
- Don’t understand music – this may come as a shock but not understanding music theory and how much work can also effect your tone. This may not make sense. You may say “if your voice is good, it’s good. It shouldn’t matter if you know music theory.” But if you understand how to actually read the notes your singing and understand how melody and harmony work together, this will instantly improve your musical ear. You’ll be able to get a visual for what you’re singing. You’ll be able to know how the notes you’re singing are blending together. You don’t have to be as musically inclined as Stevie Wonder to understand music theory. Just learning the basics will greatly improve your voice and ear. Think about it this way. You’ll be able to finally put a name to all those notes you’ve been singing.
Learn to play an instrument
Perhaps the best way to improve tone deafness is to learn to play an instrument. This may seem unlikely but it truly works. The voice and instruments go hand and hand together. The more in tune you become with an instrument, the more in tune you become with your voice. All instruments have pitches identical to the human voice. Some instruments range are wider than others. However, all instruments are paneled after the human singing voice. This means if you master and comprehend the pitches of an instrument you can do the same with your voice. When you sing your voice is suppose to be in harmony with the music the instrument is producing. If you’re having trouble hearing the music or pitches, playing an instrument will fix that. The more you play the instrument and recognize the pitches the more you’ll be able to recognize pitches, harmonies and melodies within your own voice. The best instrument to accomplish this with is the piano. This is because the piano ranges big enough to cover every voice type. Also all instruments follow the piano. If you can learn to play the piano, you can play anything. If you have to use another instrument as a substitute go with the guitar. It’s pretty close to all voice types, follows the piano and reads music similar to the way the piano does. Just like there are singing for beginners, it’s instrument playing for beginners too. If you can’t find a one on one instructor start teaching yourself. Below are a list of amazing books great for teaching yourself music theory and how to play certain instruments.
- Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Book
- Music Theory for Dummies
- Adult All In One Course
- The Only Guitar Book You’ll Ever Need
Sing Softer
Another way to cure tone deafness is to simply sing softer. Many have the misunderstanding that to have a great voice you have to sing loud and overly powerful. Yes there are amazing singer who have loud, powerhouse voices. However, they don’t have those voices from singing overly loud. Most of the time what you think is “loud singing” is really a trained vocalist projecting his or her voice. A lot of amateur singers mistake singing loud for belting. However, if you sing too loud you’ll drown the music and your own voice out. It’ll be impossible to hear yourself which makes it impossible to stay in tune and follow the music. This is why studying vocal tips given to you by a professional is so important. You have to understand the difference between yelling and belting, projecting the voice, proper diction, vocal technique and more. Doing all of these the proper way will automatically develop your voice and cure your tone deafness.
Trust your ear
One of the most important things a singer needs to be able to do is hear themselves. You have to hear when you’re in tune, off key, too sharp or flat. The more skilled you are in hearing yourself the easier and sooner you can correct yourself while singing. The only way you’ll be able to achieve this is to trust your ear. All of the best singing exercises require that you listen to yourself and trust your ear. This is one of the most powerful vocal tips you can never forget. If you think you’re tone deaf or struggling with pitch then start to trust your ear. Don’t solely rely on the background music. Don’t copy an artist you heard record the song you’re now singing. Focus on your actual ear. Tune into your singing and listen to see if you’re in key or not. The more you listen to yourself the more you’ll be surprised and amazed at how your musical ear improves.
Get out of your head
A lot of singing mishaps and difficulties don’t lie in the voice itself. A lot of times it’s not your actual vocal ability. Surprisingly the biggest factor with struggling singers are the inability to get out of their head. As a singer, being in your head is the worst place you can be. The entire time you’re singing you’re worried, nervous, unsure and doubting yourself. This can only lead to a disaster. Singing is all about confidence, relaxation, having fun and connecting with your audience. Being nervous and thinking the entire time, you’ll never be able to accomplish any of the attributes listed above. It may not seem like singing in your head has anything to do with your pitch and tone but it does. Due to your nervousness and lack of confidence you won’t be able to hit the notes accurately. Your notes will fall flat. You’ll stumble when attempting to become one with the music. Some of the biggest vocal tips to get out of your head and heal tone deafness are:
- Avoid negative talk or negative atmosphere
- Mediate or pray before singing
- Get with a vocal coach/ voice instructor
- Build a small yet strong support system
- Close your eyes when singing
- Start doing yoga/ deep breathing exercises
Practice, Practice, Practice
The most effective item on the list of vocal tips to cure tone deafness is to practice. Like with any talent or skills practicing is the best way to master it. As the old saying goes “practice makes perfect.” It’s very true. It’s not just a picker-upper cliche. Talk to any skilled professional and they will tell you consistent practice is the key. If you’re tone deaf or struggling with pitch then constantly practicing scales, intervals, music pitches and vocal exercises will not only improve your tone. It’ll completely heal your tone deafness. Constant practice also develops muscle memory for your voice, vocal cords, stomach muscles, etc. With great practice you’ll develop a powerful vocal technique and learn how to sing beautifully. After a while your new and improved voice will come natural to you.
These vocal tips will help any singer who’s struggling with tone deafness over it. Not only will utilizing these vocal tips cure tone deaf, they’ll also improve your overall voice. Your singing voice will become free, natural, beautiful and more developed. Next time someone mentions tone deafness or says it can’t be cure, be sure to send them these vocal tips and voice techniques.