How I started Learning Classical Music Vocal at 42

It has been a great learning experience since then.

Hindustani Classical Music Concert (I don’t own the copyright to this image. Taken from Wikimedia Commons)

One of the best things that happened after starting a YouTube channel is that it helped me to learn to sing.

As I mentioned in my previous posts, When I started the channel, I started with no formal education in music or singing. As the channel grew, some people liked my voice. Some people suggested singing with more feeling. Last October, I joined a group in our apartment that was preparing to sing a group song on stage.

As part of one casual discussion, one member suggested I join a class to learn and improve. She told me I sing well and that with education, it could even be better.

As the luck would have it, right at the same time, I observed that there was a free classical music learning session happening every week in our company. Since this thing was on my mind, I took an interest and joined the class.

Till then, I didn’t know the basics of classical music or any music as such. I just knew singing out of interest, just following the tune and the way others sing. That was all about it.

• I had the perception that classical music is boring. It doesn’t sound as entertaining as soft music or film songs.
• I did not know about Shruti (Sur), Raga, Taala, Laya, etc. Even very basic things I didn’t know.
• My understanding was that it requires immense practice to be able to sing well, and I didn’t have any interest in devoting time. I spend time, I would rather spend on learning how to sing soft music so I can sing movie songs that I like or other kinds of songs. Why should I learn classical music when not many would be interested in hearing it
• In the back of my mind, I had this notion that, if you know the fundamentals of classical music, it would help you in singing whatever form of songs you would like to. It is like a foundation.

That’s how my view was.

My only hope of joining this class was that I will gain fundamental knowledge and my overall singing skill would improve.

But, learning to sing at age 42?