So you think you're tone deaf do you? Take the Test!

When we're out and about, performing at community events and talking to people, we are staggered at how many people claim they are tone deaf as some kind of defence against joining a choir.

It is estimated that between 2-5% of the population have Amusia (The Medical Term!) and of those, it has been proven that with comprehensive aural training, some of those can in fact learn to sing in tune and recognise the difference in pitches. You see, tone deafness is not about the ability to sing, it's about the ability to hear the difference in higher and lower notes. We found a really good test you can take if you think you are one of these people to find out once and for all!

TAKE THE TEST!

So now, you finally have the validation that you are or are not tone deaf, good for you, bravo! But seriously - have you ever wondered what it is about singing that floats so many people's boat?

Here's an article below with all the science - but don't take their word for it - come along to one of our sessions, give it a go, speak to our members about why they come and their own vocal journey because in the end, wherever you are starting from, Soul Choirs is here to support your journey. We can't wait to meet you!

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Body and mind

By Jacques Launay, Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford

The physiological benefits of singing, and music more generally, have long been explored. Music making exercises the brain as well as the body, but singing is particularly beneficial for improving breathing, posture and muscle tension. Listening to and participating in music has been shown to be effective in pain relief, too, probably due to the release of neurochemicals such as β-endorphin (a natural painkiller responsible for the “high” experienced after intense exercise).

There’s also some evidence to suggest that music can play a role in sustaining a healthy immune system, by reducing the stress hormone cortisol and boosting the Immunoglobin A antibody.

Music has been used in different cultures throughout history in many healing rituals, and is already used as a therapy in our own culture (for the relief of mental illness, breathing conditions and language impairment, for example). Everyone can sing – however much we might protest – meaning it is one of the most accessible forms of music making, too. Song is a powerful therapy indeed.

Regular choir members report that learning new songs is cognitively stimulating and helps their memory, and it has been shown that singing can help those suffering from dementia, too. The satisfaction of performing together, even without an audience, is likely to be associated with activation of the brain’s reward system, including the dopamine pathway, which keeps people coming back for more.

The psychology of singing

Singing has also been shown to improve our sense of happiness and wellbeing. Research has found, for example, that people feel more positive after actively singing than they do after passively listening to music or after chatting about positive life events. Improved mood probably in part comes directly from the release of positive neurochemicals such as β-endorphin, dopamine and serotonin. It is also likely to be influenced by changes in our sense of social closeness with others.

Increasing evidence suggests that our social connections can play a vital role in maintaining our health – a good social network, for example, can have more health benefits than giving up smoking. So it’s possible that singing can improve health by expanding our social group. Indeed, the rapid social bonding that choirs encourage could therefore be even more beneficial.

Even if we don’t necessarily talk to everyone in our choir, we might experience a general feeling of being connected with the group, leading to our sense of increased community and belonging.

Read the Research here..

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