[Hanktheman]

I understand that it is less common to sing when being alone than when being with other people. Many parents sing for their kids but not when being alone. Monks sing in the church but not when being alone in their cells. People who sing work songs never do it alone in most cases. Why is it that singing when being alone is not that common? Is singing really only a social thing?

Hi, I'm not sure I have the answer to your question. For what its worth though, I do not like singing in public or with others, but am known to hum or sing along to music sometimes, when I'm alone.

[mote.of.soul]

Yes, it's a good question. You do have people who like to sing alone while in the shower too, like me sometimes.

But maybe also part of why you don't often hear people cranking out a song while alone might be because singing is, in a lot of ways, a form of art, a form of musical art meant mainly to be performed for others to appreciate. So it basically becomes a social thing at that stage, possibly(?)

Just a thought.

[lizardlady]

Hmm, I only sing when I'm alone. I enjoy singing, but can't carry a note in bucket. I got tired of people making fun of how poorly I sing so I only do it when alone.

I have a terrible voice, but in the car I am an opera singer!

To the OP, I also think for some people singing together is just fun. Like a social past time.