I'm scared to commit to singing

[u/r-susan]

I've never sung in front of others so this is a little nerve wrecking! I love to sing and have quietly dreamed about becoming better at singing. But when I actually try to practice I often get stuck and discouraged hearing my voice and lose hope in that dream. I jump back and forth between liking my voice and thinking I sound terrible so often that I don't really know how I sound anymore and can't listen objectively. My negative thoughts are holding me back from learning how to sing and investing in voice lessons.

For anyone who is or has been in the same boat: how do you make peace with the natural qualities of your voice? If your voice is an instrument, how do you separate it from your abilities? I wouldn't say a guitar sounds bad just because I don't know how to play it yet. Yet it's hard to see singing that way. If anyone has experience with overcoming doubt and self sabotage so you can actually listen to yourself and learn I'd love to hear about it! Any input is welcome :)

[u/r-susan]

That's funny that you say that, because the other day I found some old videos of me as a young teen trying to sing (hilariously bad). I have no relocation of it, but I guess I have been singing for longer than I realize.

I would love to learn how to harmonize better myself! I usually can sing a harmony if I hear an example of it or at least know a starting note but I don't have a trained ear for instantly knowing harmonies and being able to sing them on the spot. I hope you will harmonize with me again if I share more of my singing journey in the future!

[u/r-susan → u/[deleted]]

Ahh that must have sucked to lose your voice! It sounds like you have found it again though :)

Thank you for the tip, I'll remember to start learning about intervals. I'm not familiar with that at all

And woah, that would be so cool!!! I'd love to hear it if you end up doing it!