>Back in 90 when I first moved to CA I took some classes at the local CC for fun. For the 1st year I took gym classes (swimming, tennis) to help get aclimated to living in Southern California.
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>Then I decided, what the heck, let's take some real classes. The first one was kind of fun. The CC I was at offered a degree in fashion. They had one class you could take without being part of the program. "Clothing selection and appearance". I would reccomend it.
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>Then I really went for it. A voice class. Never again. The most amazing part, and something I still don't understand, is that when I would sign out loud to myself in the car, I sounded really good. But when I got up in front of the class to sing the same song, I hate to thing what Simon Crowell would have to say about me.
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>>Well, I've always believed I couldn't "carry a tune," but with the breathing, I can get some pretty decent sounds out. Not in the league with my boys or husband, but no longer stomach-turning.
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>>I tried the breathing trick, but it doesn't work for me. I am the world's worst singer. I can do great voices (ranging from Jimmy Carter to Eric Cartman), but have been asked by my family NEVER to sing.

When I was in music school, several friends threatened to form the "Dan Freeman Memorial Fund for Voice Lessons" if I ever sang in public. ;-)