I’ve missed playing music ever since I gave up the violin (too screechy) and the tuba (too heavy) several years ago.

A friend suggested singing would be more suitable, so I arranged to meet teacher Jamie Wilson for a lesson.

Wilson, a vivacious Australian, began singing aged eight and now tours the world as a singer-songwriter. Her musical tastes are eclectic – from dance and pop to opera. “Singing has always been in my blood,” she says.

In Wilson’s spacious warehouse flat in Bow, east London, we start by studying a diagram of the larynx as she explains the physiology. We then warm up by making “brrrrrr” noises and holding a “ying” sound as high and low as possible. I feel a little daft, but Wilson assures me it will help. She also instructs me to tense my arms, abdominals and back muscles when trying to hit the high notes.

Then the part I’ve been looking forward to: singing to a backing track. I choose The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You” from a list that also includes Amy Winehouse and LeAnn Rimes.

Singing in front of one other person feels different from belting out beer-fuelled tunes at a pub karaoke or warbling in the shower, and I am a little self-conscious at first. But I soon become engrossed, and although I’m not exactly Chrissie Hynde, Wilson is really encouraging.

She suggests I picture singing the lyrics to someone I know to inject a bit more feeling into lines such as “Oh, why you look so sad...” It’s amazing how quickly I improve under her tutelage. I’ve already arranged another lesson and have been practising with gusto, much to the chagrin of those around me.

..................

The details

Lessons £40 per hour and £25 per half hour; 07768 416612; jamieleewilson@hotmail.com