Singing accuracy across the lifespan

Abstract

Although singing is a nearly universal human behavior, many adults consider themselves poor singers and avoid singing based on self-assessment of pitch matching accuracy during singing (here referred to as singing accuracy), in contrast to the uninhibited singing exhibited by children. In this article, I report results that shed light on how singing accuracy changes across the lifespan, using data from a large online sample, including participants ranging from 6 to 99 years old. Results suggest that singing accuracy improves dramatically from childhood to young adulthood, unperturbed by voice changes during adolescence, and remain at a similarly high level for the remainder of life, exhibiting no strong tendency toward age-related decline. Vocal or instrumental musical training has significant positive effects on singing accuracy, particularly in childhood, though there was no evidence for gender differences. Finally, pitch discrimination varied with age similarly to singing accuracy, in support of views that singing accuracy reflects sensorimotor learning. Taken together, these results are consistent with the view that singing accuracy is a learned motor skill that benefits from engagement and can remain a fruitful endeavor into old age.

How accurate are self‐evaluations of singing ability?

“…Most people in the general population can sing with a reasonable level of accuracy, particularly when singing familiar tunes. 13,15,[17][18][19] However, like other domains, people appear to misestimate their singing ability. 5,[19][20][21] While only 10%-15% of the population are considered "poor-pitch singers," 13,15,[17][18][19] a higher proportion may label themselves as "tone-deaf" singers.…”

“…13,15,[17][18][19] However, like other domains, people appear to misestimate their singing ability. 5,[19][20][21] While only 10%-15% of the population are considered "poor-pitch singers," 13,15,[17][18][19] a higher proportion may label themselves as "tone-deaf" singers. 19,20,22 For example, in a survey of undergraduate students, 59% reported an inability to reproduce sung melodies.…”

“…Most people in the general population can sing with a reasonable level of accuracy, particularly when singing familiar tunes 13,15,17–19 . However, like other domains, people appear to misestimate their singing ability 5,19–21 .…”