Most of us have probably heard a beautiful song on the radio or at a live performance and wished that we too could sing with such a pleasing voice. Perhaps you were inspired at the moment to take singing lessons to learn how to sing, but then shelved the thought because you felt you did not truly have the potential to sing well.

But if you have a genuine desire to learn to sing, don't give up, and never think that you're a hopeless case! Contrary to what many people say, singing is not something you're born with-- it's something that must be developed, and something that anyone can learn.

Sure, some people are born with innately rich natural talent, but then again, not everyone aspires to be a professional Grammy-winning pop star! Normal, everyday people can learn to develop a pleasing and impressive singing voice with the proper training. Usually that's all most of us want--to not have to be afraid that we'll be asked to perform a karaoke song at a party, or to just be able to sing along with our favorite songs on the radio without straining.

Without question, the very best way to learn to sing is to hire a professional voice coach. You should be able to find a good instructor in your local area who will teach you the basics of vocal technique and breath control needed to be a good singer. But do make sure you get references before you hire a singing instructor, as it's all too easy to hire someone who really has no business teaching how to sing.

A good vocal coach will teach you the solid fundamentals of singing, such as the principle that singing should not be hard, and your voice should not experience stress or strain even when belting out notes or reaching high on your highest octave scale. Establishing a good foundation of singing fundamentals will ensure that you progress rapidly in your singing skills without danger of harming your voice.

Although utilizing a vocal coach is the best way to learn to sing, it's very expensive for most of us (usually around $50 to $200 an hour), and it's somewhat difficult to find a singing instructor who's truly good at teaching beginners how to sing.

A viable alternative these days is to learn how to sing online using your computer. You may be asking yourself if it's truly possible to learn to sing by using software and audio training courses. And the answer from thousands of satisfied students is a resounding YES!

With the advent of the Internet and the increasing sophistication of computers, you can learn how to sing from the very best voice teachers in the comfort of your own home. It's a much more affordable option than hiring a voice teacher, and, with many of today's downloadable training courses, you can get started right this very moment; you don't even have to wait for a package to be delivered to you.

There are literally dozens of products available on the market these days that can effectively get you started on your journey to becoming an excellent singer. Check the Internet and ask knowledgeable friends and colleagues to make some good recommendations for you.

Singing is definitely something that makes life much richer. If you truly have a desire to learn to sing, don't ever give up your dream. Why not get started toward achieving it instead? You just may be surprised by how quickly and by how much you can improve your singing with the proper training.