What happens when cutting-edge AI technology meets the age-old art of singing? In this conversation with Sergey Kuhne, founder of Singing Carrots, we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming vocal training, and what it means for singers, teachers, and the future of music education.
For many aspiring singers, the biggest obstacle isn't technique: it's the fear of being judged. Sergey Kuhne, founder of the voice training platform Singing Carrots, discovered this early in his journey. "The main blocker why people don't start singing is because there's a judge in front of them," he explains. "But if they're alone in the shower, they can try."
This insight became the foundation for Singing Carrots: creating a safe, judgment-free space where beginners can explore their voice without the pressure of human observation. But safety alone isn't enough: singers need guidance, feedback, and measurable progress.
What AI can (and can't) do
The latest innovation in vocal training is an AI coach that doesn't just listen—it actually generates music in real-time. Think of it as placing ChatGPT behind a piano.
"We taught the model to play the piano for you," Sergey explains. "It can give you a reference of what you should sing, just like a teacher would." The AI generates melodies on the spot, adapts to your performance, and provides feedback based on measurable vocal qualities: pitch accuracy, timing, and stability.
But here's the fascinating part about stability and vibrato. The AI calculates the standard deviation of your notes: if they're consistently fluctuating in a controlled way, it recognizes this as intentional vibrato rather than instability. It can't know if the vibrato was intended, but it can measure the difference.
The technical edge
For those curious about the data side: Singing Carrots currently tracks four success metrics:
- Pitch accuracy improvement (20% threshold)
- Vocal range extension (2+ semitones)
- Habit formation (consistent practice)
- User testimonials
The results? They've found that almost anyone who practices three days a week for three months shows measurable progress.
What AI can't replace (yet)
"AI cannot judge your posture, your mental state, or what's happening inside your body as you sing," Sergey points out. The technology has eyes (video analysis) and ears (audio processing), but integrating all these senses in real-time remains prohibitively expensive and slow.
More importantly, there's a human element that technology may never replicate. Just knowing another person is in the room triggers biological responses that affect performance. This is why group therapy works, why co-working sessions help with focus, and why some vocal challenges require a human coach.
For singers struggling with performance anxiety, those who can't reach notes on stage that they hit at home, or anyone dealing with the psychological aspects of performing—human coaching remains irreplaceable.
The teacher-AI partnership
"AI cannot judge your posture, your mental state, or what's happening inside your body as you sing," Sergey points out. The technology has eyes (video analysis) and ears (audio processing), but integrating all these senses in real-time remains prohibitively expensive and slow.
More importantly, there's a human element that technology may never replicate. Just knowing another person is in the room triggers biological responses that affect performance. This is why group therapy works, why co-working sessions help with focus, and why some vocal challenges require a human coach.
For singers struggling with performance anxiety, those who can't reach notes on stage that they hit at home, or anyone dealing with the psychological aspects of performing—human coaching remains irreplaceable.
Tip: find your vocal range
Singing Carrots: app to find your vocal range
Want to know which songs actually fit your voice? Try the Vocal Range Test from Singing Carrots. In a couple of minutes you’ll find your lowest and highest notes, what voice type you are, and even which famous singers share your range. Once you know your range, picking easy songs becomes a breeze.
You can also tell the Singing Carrots app to give you songs that are meant for other voice types, so you'll get a lot more options. These songs can then be too low or too high for you, but not too difficult in terms of range. In that case, there are ways to transpose a song to a key that fits your voice (see below).
The hallucination factor
Like all AI, vocal training bots can "hallucinate"—making up information or providing incorrect advice. How do you handle this?
Sergey's advice:
- If you feel any discomfort or pain, stop immediately and consult a human
- Ask yourself: do I have enough knowledge to judge if this advice makes sense?
- Remember that AI goals are set by companies—consider what the underlying objective might be (engagement? sales? education?)
- Verify critical information, just as you would with any source
The good news? As people become more familiar with AI in daily life, they're developing better instincts for when to trust and when to verify.
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Sergey: "I see the teacher as a guiding person doing high-level feedback on a strategy level—creating the master plan and doing checkpoints. Then in between, AI comes and sits there, spends time with the human, and does the heavy lifting with the exercises."
For singers: how to use AI training
Think of AI vocal training as your gym. You go there regularly to build technique and stamina. The AI provides:
- A safe, judgment-free practice space
- Measurable progress tracking over time
- Visual feedback on pitch, tempo, and stability
- Consistent availability (practice at 3 AM if you want!)
What it doesn't provide: - Performance coaching and stage presence development
- Solutions to physical tension or postural issues
- The human connection that helps some singers unlock their potential
For vocal coaches: the opportunity
AI isn't competition: it's an amplification tool. Your students can now practice fundamentals daily with immediate feedback, freeing your lesson time for higher-level coaching: interpretation, style, performance psychology, and those subtle adjustments that require human intuition.
The data can also inform your teaching. When a student arrives with weeks of tracked practice showing exactly where they struggle, you can dive deeper into solutions rather than spending time on assessment.
About the author
I’m Linor Oren, founder of SingWell. I have an opera background and in the past I've performed on stage. I've taught hundreds of students how to find their authentic voice. What I’ve learned is that singing isn’t about being “born with it” — it’s about unlocking what’s already inside you with the right tools and guidance. My passion is helping singers at every level grow in confidence, technique, and joy, so they can sing with freedom and expression.
Looking ahead
Where is this technology headed? According to Sergey, all the pieces already exist: video analysis, audio processing, real-time conversation. The limiting factors are cost and processing speed.
"Something like a full AI vocal coach is definitely within the horizon of 10-15 years," he estimates.
But perhaps the more interesting question isn't when AI will match human coaches, but how humans and AI will work together to make vocal training more accessible, measurable, and effective than ever before.
The bottom line
AI in vocal training is here, and it's genuinely useful: especially for building foundational skills and maintaining consistent practice.
But it's a tool, not a replacement for human expertise, connection, and intuition.
As with any new technology, approach it with curiosity and critical thinking. Try it. Test it. Verify it. And most importantly, use it as one part of your vocal journey, not the whole path.
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