Out of curiosity did your voice improve when you got older? My 3 year old's singing is awful -- good sense of rhythm, zero sense of pitch -- and I am afraid he's inherited the terrible tone-deafness that runs on DH's side of the family. Not the end of the world, of course, but my family is very musical and I'd hoped to share that with him. (He does love music so there is that.)

Different poster here. I am a classically trained singer. Went to LaGuardia (Fame) and everything. At 3, my DD sounded awful. She won't sing now, but every so often I catch her and her voice is pitch perfect.

The kids on talents shows often are just imitating adults and they get rewarded for their imitations/impersonations. I find this especially true with child singers. There is not a lot of artistry there which is understandable because they are just kids. But I worry that some of them are being molded to a very particular type and not being encouraged to find their own voice/style or to experiment or be creative.

Anonymous wrote:I don't watch talent shows, but from observing many child and youth recitals and concerts in our area, I know that it takes guts, intelligence and a TON of practice to deliver what many would think is a merely "good" performance. They're kids, it doesn't necessarily come easily for them in terms of hand-eye coordination, memorization, judgement calls, etc, not as easily as for adults.

I would be prepared to bet that these kids ARE talented, OP. You're just blase about it because you haven't sweated like them and don't know what it's like.

I think what it really takes is a set of parents to push, push, push and make sure the kid does nothing but their "talent," in hopes of getting their big break and thus, moneymonyemoney. I don't think anyone here is talking about a kid who truly loves singing and practices because they feel their own drive to get better and do what they enjoy, much like a kid who loves to draw would spend their free time doing that. A dance recital is a far cry from putting your kid in a televised "talent show."

Homework: Google "Lil Maxso," who made the talk show circuit years back as "the world's youngest rapper!!!" It was all his dad's doing. The kid is grown now and yet, still without that elusive fame. Or, probably, income.

Children aren't as aware of embarrassment, it's not all that nerve wracking

Nope, I can't sing very well. Your kid may improve, but at least you realize that her singing may be cute, but isn't "good".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't watch talent shows, but from observing many child and youth recitals and concerts in our area, I know that it takes guts, intelligence and a TON of practice to deliver what many would think is a merely "good" performance. They're kids, it doesn't necessarily come easily for them in terms of hand-eye coordination, memorization, judgement calls, etc, not as easily as for adults.

I would be prepared to bet that these kids ARE talented, OP. You're just blase about it because you haven't sweated like them and don't know what it's like.

Oh geez. Get over yourself. Somewhere in my parents basement is a home video of me singing at 3 years old. I sound absolutely terrible but my parents thought it was the cutest thing ever. Point is, a lot of kids are talented. A lot aren't, they are just doing things that parents find cute... doesn't mean they need to go on a national stage.

Out of curiosity did your voice improve when you got older? My 3 year old's singing is awful -- good sense of rhythm, zero sense of pitch -- and I am afraid he's inherited the terrible tone-deafness that runs on DH's side of the family. Not the end of the world, of course, but my family is very musical and I'd hoped to share that with him. (He does love music so there is that.)

Anonymous wrote:I don't watch talent shows, but from observing many child and youth recitals and concerts in our area, I know that it takes guts, intelligence and a TON of practice to deliver what many would think is a merely "good" performance. They're kids, it doesn't necessarily come easily for them in terms of hand-eye coordination, memorization, judgement calls, etc, not as easily as for adults.

I would be prepared to bet that these kids ARE talented, OP. You're just blase about it because you haven't sweated like them and don't know what it's like.

Oh geez. Get over yourself. Somewhere in my parents basement is a home video of me singing at 3 years old. I sound absolutely terrible but my parents thought it was the cutest thing ever. Point is, a lot of kids are talented. A lot aren't, they are just doing things that parents find cute... doesn't mean they need to go on a national stage.

I don't watch talent shows, but from observing many child and youth recitals and concerts in our area, I know that it takes guts, intelligence and a TON of practice to deliver what many would think is a merely "good" performance. They're kids, it doesn't necessarily come easily for them in terms of hand-eye coordination, memorization, judgement calls, etc, not as easily as for adults.

I would be prepared to bet that these kids ARE talented, OP. You're just blase about it because you haven't sweated like them and don't know what it's like.

Anonymous wrote:Charlotte Church was 11 when she got her big break on a talent show.

And she was talented. Many kids are not.

Anonymous wrote:A big part of it is being capable of showing off your "talent" in front of a huge crowd, on camera. I know grown adults who can't talk in front of a crowd of 30 people, but will go home and scoff at a kid performing (even if they do it badly) to a crowd of thousands.

I'm not scoffing. It's great that they are confident. However, a lot of their fame is due to the fact that they are cute.

Charlotte Church was 11 when she got her big break on a talent show.

A big part of it is being capable of showing off your "talent" in front of a huge crowd, on camera. I know grown adults who can't talk in front of a crowd of 30 people, but will go home and scoff at a kid performing (even if they do it badly) to a crowd of thousands.

you are most certainly not the only one.

Because if you do overlook them then you're an evil, evil person. Same reason why every dog you see, you better think is cute. Also, you better do CrossFit.

I get it, we are supposed to ooh and ahh but honestly most of these kids don't have talent beyond what a parent would find cute. A lot of adults on these shows have amazing talent and meanwhile kids who are not too talented, just cute enough to pass get to go to the next level. I have no problem giving credit where it's due though. I have seen a few kids who are amazing singers or dancers etc, but most of them aren't. Why are we supposed to overlook the fact that they aren't talented only because they are cute.