There are many components to singing. Phrasing and emphasis is one. Vocal production is another. Vowel sounds. Breathing spaces. Dramatic sense. Diction. Musicianship (ie: staying on the beat or relating to the accompaniment)

In the final sense, if it moves you, it's good singing (for you). If you don't like it, it's bound to be "bad" singing.

So much subjectivity is here.

Gershwin admonished Ethel Merman not to go to a vocal teacher.


A lot depends upon whether you think Merman could sing. One thing for sure,
she could be heard over the orchestra.

A Bulgarian singer differs from an Operatic "bel canto" singer.

One thing about vocal training. It can help you keep your voice. There is such a thing
as vocal health.

There is such a thing as musicianship. The voice is after all an instrument. It can be played many different ways. If you study musicianship then perhaps you will be less
enthusiastic about the ways some people use their voices.

Then again, if you study singing you might be irritated with the sound of some voices.
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A great voice can be misused in improper styles. Eileen Farrell may not have the "Right To Sing The Blues". The lovely Renee Fleming landed a jazz album with a dull thud.

Subjectivity creeps in here too. Was Richard Dyer-Bennet's "John Henry" a joke?

The (who can't sing) part of this thread has to do with whether the singer has had
"legitimate" training such as bel canto.

The bottom line: You have to put on different ears to evaluate every singer you hear.