Is age 22 too late to start voice lessons?
Starting age for voice lessons is a matter of much debate. Beginning the study of music early is always a good thing. For boys to learn serious vocal technique before puberty is permissible, as the breathing technique they learn will last their lifetimes, and is easier to learn young than later in life. What they learn as trebles about tone production will do them little good after their voices change, though. Girls, on the other hand should not start serious vocal training before the end of puberty. The breath support musculature surrounds the delicate, developing organs in their abdomens, and can affect that development adversly. For girls, 11 – 14 is a great starting age. Besides, starting too young at voice lessons is like going to expensive daycare. Starting later, around 35 – 40 is still fine, but one is far more enured in terms of bodily muscular actions at that age. In other words, learning to breat will be more difficult. To be honest, thinking in terms of a professional caree
Vocal and musical training should begin as early as possible (to an extent–before and/or during the changing of the voice is somewhat debateable), but we must take care in training young voices. Musicianship is especially important to learn early on. If one doesn’t learn rhythm and pitch early s/he will likely struggle A LOT later on. Also, vocalist-wannabes should be encouraged learn piano and/or guitar as well as learn to read music (and preferably get some theory down). I think it’s vital to begin early if one is considering a professional career, but if one simply wants to sing in the church choir, voice lessons are only a good idea–not really necessary, so 22 is definitely not “too late,” but the true answer lies in what you intend to do with your voice (as well as your natural talent level and any other musical experience you may have)!
