I'm not a singer on any account, but I sing in my university choir. I've noticed that my voice isn't strong at all - at choir sometimes I can barely hear myself sing, and even when I'm practising at home with the piano, the piano seems to drown me out! Is there any way of improving the 'strength' of your voice without straining it? Some people at my choir seem to be able to sing fairly loud - does this just take practise? I've never had any formal singing training, so my breathing is also terrible and I find it hard to sustain long notes.

On a similar note, roughly what range should an alto be able to sing comfortably? I find that even D (i.e. D on 4th line of stave) is a strain, and going much below middle C can also be tricky.

Apologies if ny questions are rather trivial, but any advice from those in the know would be greatly appreciated!

Well, you first need to see if your problem is truly a volume one or not. I suspect not. The fact that you've said your breathing is terrible suggests that there is a vocal chord adduction problem at play - does your tone sound breathy at times?

I may be wrong of course, but if you're having volume difficulties and yet you can speak loudly without any problem, something in your throat needs putting right (it's not more air or more 'support' that are going to fix this either - that will make things worse if you're already stuck for volume).

It's hard to help without hearing you - if you can record yourself, I'll happily have a listen and give you some advice.


Allan

I've just given a lesson to a lady in a similar position and it has taken a good few months to gether to sing anything other than piano. Her intonation is fantastic, but as Allan suggested about you, her support and breathing was virtually non existant.

She also had self-confidence issues singing in front of a teacher, but that was something different.

After a lot of work on her posture and breathing, the progress she has made is phenominal.


If your speaking voice is breathy do go to your GP and get your throat checked out. Otherwise get yourself a good singing teacher, particularly one who knows what they are talking about when it comes to posture and breathing technique.

I also suggest you either take up Pilates or Yoga.

I found pilates really helps, but also Alexander technique, which has been fantastic.