Brisbane opera singer Matt Hirst has recorded an album for charity while battling one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

"The motivation initially was to actually make something for my family," the 29-year-old told 7.30.

"And then it really came forward that the most important thing was to do a CD that could actually raise funds."

The album, Mighty Steps, has just gone on sale online and the proceeds will go towards further research into finding a brain cancer cure.

"Words can't really express how we feel," Cure Brain Cancer's Barrie Littlefield said.

"It's completely selfless, it's completely community focused."

Mum nagged him to see doctor

Joanne Price encouraged her son Matt Hirst to see a doctor when he became forgetful. ( ABC News )

Mr Hirst first noticed he was forgetting things about 15 months ago and his mother convinced him to get checked out.

"We went through the process of yes, he's working hard, he's got rehearsals, I don't have time," Joanne Price said.

"And, typical mum, I just nagged and said you need to get something done."

After a series of tests Mr Hirst was told he had a large tumour on the left side of his brain and only had months to live.

After surgery in December his prognosis was extended to 12 to 15 months.

Mr Hirst used this time to do something he had never done before — not only record an album, but also to sing in a different music genre.

"Initially the idea behind it was to do a classical CD, and then when I was thinking about it I thought I want to do something I really enjoy, so I chose jazz standards," he said.

He recorded several tracks with jazz pianist Tony Gould.

"However long he's on the earth, he's done something else, and he's done it beautifully," Mr Gould said.

'People want to leave a legacy'

Matt Hirst said some days in the studio were a struggle. ( ABC News )

Mr Hirst said he struggled to keep up his energy levels while recording.

"There would be days when I didn't feel that great," he said.

"I'd just pick myself up and keep on going, because if you didn't, for me, it's just a waste of time. I couldn't do that."

The album has special meaning for Mr Littlefield, who lost his own daughter to brain cancer when she was only 10.

"Each and every one of the people who have been affected just want to leave a legacy," Mr Littlefield said.

"They just don't want this to happen to anyone else."