5 Reasons why adults quit singing

Let’s face it – learning something new as an adult is not easy and keeping up singing alongside family and work responsibilities can seem like a lot to juggle at times. It can feel like an ‘either or’ choice and, as a result, adults decide to quit the things they enjoy the most, like singing.

This is a real shame to see, especially, as our favourite activities are actually what help us relax and take our mind off the everyday stress. It’s so important that we don’t discourage ourselves from pursuing them! If you’ve ever felt like you want to quit singing lessons or singing altogether, this blog is for you. We’ve compiled the most common reasons why adults quit singing lessons and the solutions to overcome them.

Reason #1: You’re stuck in a routine

You have developed a great practice schedule, you’ve found a style that you’re comfortable in and a setlist that complements your voice. Everything is going well! Until it isn’t. Doing the same things over and over again can leave you feeling unmotivated, as you are no longer challenging yourself. Whether that’s taking lessons, playing gigs or learning new songs, all those things were so exciting at the beginning because they were all new opportunities for you to challenge yourself and grow. It’s important that you find ways to do that, even when you feel comfortable with your voice, singing style and the gigs and recordings you do.

Solution:

Switch it up! If you’ve always sang upbeat pop songs, why not try jazz or rock singing? It will give you a new challenge and a whole new set of skills to learn. If you’re only used to singing your own songs, why not collab with someone else? This will give you a brand-new experience, a way to network and sing in a different style. Or, if you’re used to singing covers, you could try writing your own songs, or change the genre of the original song and turn it into something new.

Reason #2: You can’t see (hear) progress

Hitting a plateau can be one of the hardest things to overcome. Whether you’ve just started voice lessons for beginner adults or you’ve been singing for a while, this happens to many singers from time to time. If you don’t notice progress in your singing, it can be very difficult to stay motivated and you should try to find a reason why you’re not progressing.

Solution:

Lack of progress will come down to the individual, but these are some of the reasons. Firstly, it’s very hard to judge yourself objectively, so we would highly recommend recording your singing over time. It’s quite possible you are actually progressing, without even realising it. Maybe you’ve just got comfortable with the same style, same practice sessions and songs that no longer challenge you, so you should look for ways to develop your voice further. Establishing what you’d like to improve in your voice will help give you a sense of direction. A qualified vocal coach can introduce you to new methods, so you can achieve your goals. Chances are, you may not be practicing as often as you should, or you’ve developed some unhealthy singing habits. Analyse your practice routine and see whether this could cause an issue. Whatever the reason for your plateau, there is always room for progress and improvement, so you need to identify what’s stopping you from moving forward and how you can overcome it.

Reason #3: Lack of time and/or money

Our lives are busy and stressful and, 2020 in particular, has hit many of us financially. Voice lessons for beginner adults are not always cheap, so that can be the reason why some choose to quit singing lessons altogether. Lack of time is a huge factor, especially, if singing is your hobby, it can be harder to fit around studying, working or family time.

Solution:

The solution to this is two-fold – firstly, you need to evaluate the choices you make every day that cost time and money and, once you’ve done that, consider how you can fit singing into your lifestyle. As mentioned, it’s important we get to keep our hobbies, but everyone’s different and will have varying solutions to the problem. For example, if you can’t afford singing lessons, maybe there are other expenses you can sacrifice, or maybe you can have fewer lessons throughout the month but still keep doing them consistently? Online singing lessons can be a great solution as they are more cost-effective, and you won’t have to spend time and money to travel to your classes. If time is an issue, maybe there are other activities such as the extra hour of Netflix or scrolling through social media that you can substitute for singing? If not, remember that even 20 minutes of practice is better than none at all, so focus on doing the best you can. Establishing your priorities and focusing on what you can do rather than what you can’t do is key to finding time and money for singing.

Reason #4: Doing it alone

Being surrounded by likeminded people is often what makes our favourite activities so much more fun and motivating. If you’ve started voice lessons for beginner adults and you don’t know any other musicians or singers, it can be quite a lonely thing to do, but it really needn’t be!

Solution:

Find other musicians! They don’t have to be in your current circle, there are so many ways you can meet likeminded people and music is such a social activity. You can join a local choir, a band, meet producers that need a vocalist and simply chat to other singers and musicians in online forums. Open mic nights and local gigs can be a great way to meet people like you and build your network. Having someone who is on the same wavelength will keep you from falling off the bandwagon and ensure you pursue your singing career.

Reason #5: Poor quality training

Most of us have probably had bad experiences with teachers in some capacity, whether at school, university or online. A coach that is unsuitable for your needs can really put you off singing and stifle your progress. If you are learning from online videos, there could be some bad or simply unsuitable advice that is not personalised to you and may make you want to quit singing lessons altogether.

Solution:

If you have been struggling with online advice, we would highly suggest finding a knowledgeable coach instead! Or, if your current vocal coach isn’t a good match, there might be plenty more in your area and beyond. With today’s technology, you can take online singing lessons from anyone in the world. Don’t be afraid to try a few different teachers until you find the right one – it can take time to build up a good working relationship with someone, as each of us have a slightly different approach. Ideally, your instructor will be able to tailor the lessons to you, your unique sound and the goals you’re looking to achieve. They will work alongside you with a good understanding of your aims and the resources you have available.

If you would like to improve your singing in the New Year, why not give London Singing Institute a try! We have a knowledgeable and skilled team of expert vocal coaches with years of singing and teaching experience. We offer singing lessons in London for beginners, but we are also able to provide online singing lessons from wherever you are.