It's common for singers, even professionals, to feel conflicted about how their own voice sounds when they hear it recorded.
While a universal "yes" or "no" can't definitively answer whether all singers dislike their voice, the experience of feeling uncomfortable or even disliking the sound of one's own recorded voice is widespread and quite normal. This phenomenon arises from a combination of factors:
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How We Hear Ourselves: We typically hear our own voice both externally (through the air) and internally (through bone conduction). The internal component emphasizes lower frequencies, creating a richer, fuller sound in our perception. Recordings, however, only capture the external component, often sounding thinner and higher-pitched than we expect.
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The Novelty Effect: Hearing your voice as others hear it can be jarring. The discrepancy between your internal perception and the recorded reality can lead to feelings of self-consciousness and even dislike.
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Critical Self-Assessment: Singers, in particular, are often highly critical of their own performance. They may focus on perceived imperfections, such as pitch inaccuracies, breath control issues, or tonal inconsistencies, which can amplify any negative feelings about their recorded voice.
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Exposure and Adaptation: The more singers hear their own recordings, the more accustomed they often become to the sound. Familiarity can reduce the initial shock and discomfort, allowing them to objectively analyze their performance and identify areas for improvement.
Therefore, while not all singers dislike their own voice, the feeling is common due to differences in how we perceive our voice versus how it is recorded, combined with critical self-assessment. Many singers learn to accept and even appreciate their unique vocal qualities over time.
