How to Learn to Sing in Tune

The biggest difficulty with learning to sing in tune is that if you do not have a good sense of pitch, you might not know when you aren't in tune. The solution is to start off slowly, singing one pitch at a time and trying to match a recorded pitch as perfectly as possible. Here are the steps to learning how to sing in tune.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Piano or synthesizer
• Computer
• Midi program
• CD player
• Microphone
• Sound recording program

1. Play a single note on a synthesizer or piano. Try to sing that pitch.

2. Listen for a beat frequency. If you are completely in tune with the note, your voice and the tone together will combine into one single tone. If you are slightly too high or too low in pitch, you will hear a beat frequency--a slight wavering in the pitch. Raise or lower your tone slightly until the beat frequency slows and stops.

3. Repeat the same step with scales. Use programmed midi scales (see Resources below), or recruit a friend who plays keyboards. Start by singing along with simple major scales.

4. Progress to singing along to more difficult things. Practice minor scales and arpeggios.

5. Record yourself singing along to songs you enjoy. By this point, you should have a decent sense of pitch, so you should be able to listen to your singing and see how close you are to correct pitch.

Tips & Warnings

• Singing along with an experienced singer is a good way to see if you are in pitch. Good vocalists have a great sense of pitch, and tend to be more than willing to correct you when you are off key.

Resources

• Scales and Arpeggios