Are You Too Old or Too Young to Learn?

Everyday, more and more people want to know how to sing for all kinds of reasons, but some people question if they are too old or too young to learn.  

The question of age and singing comes up a lot and this is my perspective on it. As a vocal coach, I know firsthand that our voices do change as we age.  However, it’s also true that our singing voices don’t fully mature until we’re in our 30s. That’s great news for singers wondering if they are too old to learn to sing.

How does it work? 

The voice is like a muscle: the more you use it correctly, the stronger it gets.  Learning how to sing is a lot like going to the gym and doing a workout to build muscle strength.

I love yoga and, amazingly, some of the most flexible bodies I see in class are in their 70s and 80s. I remember asking one supple 80 year old how she became so flexible and she said, “I wasn't always this flexible but the more I practice yoga over the years the more my body is able to flex and bend to all the tricky yoga postures!” Now here’s something really interesting: singing students who are still in their early twenties say they are afraid they have left it too late!  

“The voice is like a muscle: the more you use it correctly, the stronger it gets.”

All too often, we have a tendency to procrastinate on or - even worse - shelve our most cherished dreams.  It's easy to allow the pressures of life to take us down a path where our days are completely devoted to our careers and families.  Before we know it, we’re wondering where all the years went and if it's too late to learn to sing. Soon, the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” becomes our mantra. Does this sound a bit too familiar?  

If you can relate, then here’s some good news.

The latest brain research has uncovered a pleasant surprise.  In the past, it was a common belief that adult brains are “hard-wired,” that brain function worsened rather than improved, and that it was inevitable that neurological performance declined with age.  All that has recently been proven incorrect. The discovery of neuro-plasticity revealed the truth about the brain and is considered to be one of the most important and valuable scientific discoveries of the last hundred years. Remarkably, the brain can rewire itself throughout our lives. As we move, learn, and experience life, the brain forms new nerve cells and neural connections and all of this happens regardless of our age. 

“If you’ve been dreaming of learning to sing for a few years but fear you’ve left it too late, then do yourself a favor and start living the life you've always wanted.”

So what does this all mean for adults who want to learn to sing?

It means it's never too late to use the time you have now to do what you’ve always wanted to do.  If you’ve been dreaming of learning to sing for a few years but fear you’ve left it too late, then do yourself a favor and start living the life you've always wanted.  It's yours for the living!  There's one thing you can count on: you’re not going to get younger.  So seize the day!  

Book a Lesson Today and Start Learning at Any Age

Whatever your age, now is the perfect time to start learning to sing. Working with a voice teacher is one of the best ways to strengthen your skills and make the most of your practice time. At Love Your Voice, we work with students in all stages of life to help them achieve their singing goals, whether that’s learning to sing for the first time or preparing for a tour.

If you’re ready to finally follow your singing dreams, get in touch with Zelda to set up a lesson!

Mention this article for a 20% discount on your first lesson.