Can the tone deaf learn to sing?
Can the tone deaf learn to sing? By Megan Lane BBC News Magazine Can't sing, won't sing? As the BBC researches the musical abilities of the nation, are those convinced they are tone deaf really irredeemably non-musical? Can't carry a tune in a basket? Despite the term, most tone deaf people can hear music perfectly well - they just can't sing. And many aren't tone deaf at all - they simply lack confidence and practice, particularly if their tunelessness was criticised as a child. "A very small proportion of the population are truly tone deaf," says Dr Daniel Mullensiefen of Goldsmiths University of London, co-creator of the BBC's new musicality test , which explores whether enthusiasm for music - rather than formal training alone - helps confer ability. Continue reading the main story How musical are you? Takes 25 minutes on a computer with sound Covers listening habits and your emotional response to music Tests include tapping out beats, ...