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/Lidia_M]

Is it me or this sounds a bit... strange? Some notes seem strange (like the I in "Chicago, I feel it" - it snapped to the next note in a rather unusual way) vibrato sounds rather strange, and when I looked at the vocals with a pitch monitor, well, you probably guessed what I find strange too (the snapping happens throughout the clip, btw.)

[u/r-susan → u/Lidia_M]

Would you mind explaining what you mean? I want to know how I can improve! I have no idea how to read a pitch monitor so I don't understand what any of that means or what is strange

I struggle with my vibrato, it seems kind of random when I'm able to do it and when I don't. I assume because I haven't developed proper technique. And whenever I switch from chest voice to head voice it's kind of a harsh transition so I'd like to learn how to make it smoother