Are Singing Lessons Worth it?

Now, I’m sure that there are a lot of us out there who enjoy singing out loud to our favourite pop songs in the shower. The decibels bouncing off the bathroom tiles as we serenade an imaginary concert of adoring fans, all in the safety of our own home. But aside from the fantasy of becoming the next Freddie Mercury, do singing lessons have any benefit?

“I first started private singing lessons when I was 9 years old. I had told my Mum that I wanted to go for a lead role in our local community theatre group, and she had said that singing lessons were a good place to start if I wanted to compete with the older children. It turned out she was right, as later that year I got my first lead part. I haven’t stopped since,” says Alex Wharram who teaches singing at Jigsaw Bexleyheath and manages Jigsaw Croydon and Sevenoaks.

“Group singing, such as in a choir, has its own positives. It has been proven that group singing improves mental health but it is also a great way to learn to work as part of a team, boost confidence in singing without having to sing on your own and is just plain fun! I have been a part of a choir since the age of 10 and can emphatically say there is no better way to feel great than to sing with people who also enjoy singing.

“I have always felt that when you sing you give the listener a piece of yourself. While this can be very daunting for first time singers, there is no better way to express emotion than through song.” 

It’s true, singing has many social, physical and neurological benefits. Studies have shown that it can help ease stress, increase lung capacity and strengthen your muscles. In the long term this can help improve your posture and can prove to be hugely beneficial for our emotional wellbeing.

“Singing a happy song can cheer you up when you’re feeling down” says Alex, “while a sad song can be very cathartic.”

There is the right song for every mood, time and place and even people who profess they cannot sing will join in with a resounding “Sweet Caroline” when it comes on at a wedding. Singing brings people together in a way that nothing else can and I thoroughly recommend everyone give it a go no matter your age! It’s never too early or too late!”

We couldn’t agree more! Acting through song brings children together encouraging a sense of community. Through Jigsaw’s singing lessons, children are introduced to a variety of musical styles. Song lyrics develop their articulation and broaden their expressive communication. There is even evidence that singing can help improve speech impediments, such as stuttering. This is believed to be due to the increased duration of phonation and continuous voicing helping to increase the connectedness between syllables and words. Through repetition, breaking down the words into simple sounds, singing engages the part of the brain involved in sound-motor mapping.

So before you reach for the ear defenders, it is well worth considering how singing can improve your child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Granted, we can’t guarantee the volume of sound your child may make, but we’re pretty sure there’s a lot of fun to be had when singing as a group.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page.