I have been singing trad songs with my husband for over twenty years - with the odd toilet break - and I find it easier to keep my eyes open but my husband John sings with his eyes closed tight.
He has sung the odd song with them open but he says that he can relax and concentrate on the feeling of the story within the ballad when his eyes are closed. I dont think it rude to sing with eyes closed and whether eyes are open or not does not reflect on how the song is sung and does not sound better if they are open.
WHAT A STUPID STATEMENT! Scrump you obviously havent been around very many singing sessions to make such a remark.
Thank God not everyone feels like you! So you think because you keep your eyes open and stare into space when you sing makes you a better singer than those who close their eyes when they sing?
Penny