The terminal state of the loss of folk music can be seen in the United
States and a few similar societies, where except in isolated areas and
among hobbyists, traditional folk music no longer survives. In the absence
of folk music, many individuals do not sing. It is possible that
non-singers feel intimidated by widespread exposure in recordings and
broadcasting to the singing of skilled experts. Another possibility is
that they simply cannot sing, because they did not sing when they were
small children, when learning of skills takes place most naturally.

There is anecdotal evidence that the loss of singing ability is continuing
rapidly at the present time. As recently as the 1960s, audiences at
American sporting events collectively sang the American national anthem
before a game; the anthem is now generally assigned to a recording or to a
soloist.

Inability to sing is apparently unusual in a traditional society, where
the habit of singing folk song since early childhood gives everyone the
practice needed to able to sing at least reasonably well.