Private lessons? Check. Big dreams? Check! But there’s more to the equation when it comes to singing professionally. Monclova, OH teacher Carrie A. shares her professional experience to inform your own singing journey.
You love to sing. You’re always singing around the house, in the car, in the shower—anywhere and everywhere. You have friends and family who tell you that you have a great voice and that you should pursue a career in singing. You want to be a singer, but you don’t know where to start.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to become a singer.
How Do I Start a Singing Career?
Many people dream of having a singing career, but don’t know where to start. Here are some tips to get you on your way:
- Start by taking some singing lessons to develop your skills. This will help you learn proper technique and improve your vocal range.
- Join a choir or other singing group. This is a great way to meet other singers and get experience performing in front of an audience.
- Enter competitions and talent shows. This can help you gain visibility and exposure to the music industry.
- Make a demo tape or CD of your best work and send it out to record labels, music producers, and booking agents.
- Attend open mics and other events where you can showcase your talents.
- Be persistent and never give up on your dreams!
Again, the best way to start your singing career is by taking lessons. You’ll learn all the basics you need to know, like what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDbAiaLR5Mw
Can Anyone Become a Good Singer?
If you love to sing but don’t think you have a good voice, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do to improve. The answer is yes! Just like any skill, singing takes practice and patience, but with the right guidance, anyone can learn to sing well and learn how to become a good singer.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Find a good singing teacher. A qualified vocal coach will be able to assess your unique strengths and weaknesses and help you develop a personalized practice routine.
- Be willing to put in the work. In order to improve, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort required to make progress. This means showing up for your singing lessons consistently and practicing at home on a regular basis.
- Be patient. Like anything else worth doing, learning to sing well takes time and perseverance. Trust your teacher, trust the process, and don’t give up – even when it feels like you’re not making any progress. With consistency and commitment, anyone can become a good singer!
How to Become a Singer: A Few Quick Tips
I can’t tell you how many students over the years have come to me asking, “How do you become a singer on TV or Broadway?” before they finish their first vocal lesson. While those are great aspirations to go after, the truth is that it’s better to focus on smaller, more achievable goals as you start out.
Now, I don’t say this to discourage aspiring stars from taking the stage – not at all. The point of managing expectations at the beginning of our singing journey is to 1) stay humble, and 2) recognize that there’s no substitute for hard work and practice.
What I have found is a great way to get started is to look for opportunities to perform right in your own community. It is a serious long shot to go from never performing at all, to being chosen for some sort of reality show. Though you may hear of people winning the vocal lottery on TV, the fact is that many of the singers we know and love had humble beginnings and put in countless hours of practice. No one becomes a singer overnight.
I have performed in front of thousands of people numerous times, including once at Carnegie Hall. I, however, did not start there. I participated in lots of community theater, performed at weddings, did gigs at coffee shops, and performed at other small-scale venues before I had more distinguished opportunities.
I understand the desire to perform in front of large audiences. Still, I strongly encourage my students to take advantage of every opportunity they have to perform, whether big or small. Every performance is an opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun. The following suggestions are ones that I give to my students to help them find opportunities.
Determine What Type of Singer You Want to Be
There are many different types of singers—pop, rock, country, gospel, R&B, and so many more. Think about what type of music you love to sing and what type of singer you would like to be. Do your research on different types of singers and find out which one speaks to you the most. There is no wrong answer here. The important thing is that you figure out what type of singer you want to be so that you can start honing your craft.
Put Together a Set List
Get a set list together. Whether you are a vocalist or instrumentalist, you need to have at least 10 songs that are performance-ready. Don’t be in a hurry with this step – look for songs that mean something to you and flow well together. Work with your music instructor to find what fits your singing style and go with that.
Plan for Rejection
Second, gear up for rejection. You will be told no, probably multiple times. Don’t stop until you get a yes! Every successful person has gone through their fair share of rejection. I’m a professional singer, and I’ve had to deal with the same thing. Don’t take it personally, just move on and get excited for when someone says yes.
Get Connected
Third, connect with area charity organizations and ask if they need music at their next fundraiser. It will be a chance to use music to strengthen the community and possibly create more connections for future performances.
Give Back
Fourth, think of places you can give back and get performance experience at the same time. For example, lots of nursing homes will jump at the chance to have you come and entertain their guests.
Opportunities like these are rewarding on many different levels. It feels good to use your talents for a positive and uplifting cause.
Be Open Minded
Finally, don’t look down on any opportunity that comes your way. Remember, in the beginning, it’s all about getting yourself out there and letting people know you are available. This will help you hone your skills and build your network. Vocal students wondering how to become a singer on the professional level need to understand that even the most ambitious goals happen one step at a time.
If that means you start by singing the national anthem at a local high school basketball game, so be it. One of my students did that very thing and now is invited by major car racing events to do the national anthem. She went from performing at the local high school to singing in front of 30,000 people during a televised event! The bottom line is this: in the beginning, nothing is too small if you really want to become a singer.
Whether you’re singing in the shower or Madison Square Garden, your love for music will propel you forward. Enjoy where you are today, pour your heart into each and every performance, and create a rewarding musical future!
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Become a Singer
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about how to hone your craft as a singer.
How to Become a Better Singer
If you’re serious about becoming a singer, then you’re going to want to put in the work to improve your craft. Here are a few tips on how to become a better singer:
- Take singing lessons from a qualified voice teacher. This is one of the best ways to improve your vocal technique and range.
- Practice regularly. The more you sing, the better you’ll become at using your voice correctly and hitting those tough notes.
- Get plenty of rest. Singing takes a lot of energy, so make sure you’re well-rested before belting out those high notes.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water helps keep your vocal cords healthy and moistened, which is essential for good singing.
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks prior to singing. Acidic foods and drinks can dry out your vocal cords, making it difficult to sing without straining your voice.
- Warm up before singing. Just as athletes warm up before playing their sport, singers should also warm up their voices before performing or recording. Warming up helps prevent vocal injuries and helps you hit those high notes with ease.
- Cool down after singing. Once you’re done singing, take some time to cool down your voice with some gentle exercises or by humming. This will help prevent any strain on your vocal cords.
How to Become a Famous Singer
The answer to this question depends on what you mean by “famous.” If you want to be a household name like Adele or Bruno Mars, you’re going to have to be prepared for years of hard work and dedication. There’s no shortcut to becoming an overnight success.
That said, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of making it big. First, make sure you’re taking care of your vocal health. That means drinking plenty of water, getting enough rest, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking. Second, practice, practice, practice! The more you sing, the better your voice will sound.
And finally, don’t forget the power of social media. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram can help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential fans from all over the world.
How to Become a Singer Songwriter
If you want to become a singer songwriter, the best thing you can do is start writing your own songs. It doesn’t matter if they’re good or bad—just start writing. The more songs you write, the better you’ll get at it. And who knows? One of those songs might just end up being your big hit!
In addition to writing your own songs, try co-writing with other singers and songwriters. This can help improve your skills and give you some insight into how professional songwriters work. Also be sure to attend as many concerts and festivals as possible—you never know when you’ll meet someone who could help further your career.
Can a Bad Singer Become Good?
The short answer is yes! With enough practice (and maybe a little bit of vocal coaching), even the worst singer can become good—or at least passable. If you’re serious about becoming a better singer, there are lots of resources out there to help you, including online singing lessons and how-to videos. Just remember that it takes time and patience to become a good singer—it doesn’t happen overnight.
How Much Money Does a Singer Make a Year?
This depends on factors like experience, genre, popularity, and whether or not they tour. Generally speaking, singers who are just starting out can expect to make between $10-15k per year; more experienced singers can make between $30-50k per year; and top-tier stars can make upwards of $100 million per year!
Obviously, there’s quite a range here—but it just goes to show that there’s great potential for earning power in this profession if you’re willing to put in the work.
Is it Hard to Become a Singer?
No. It’s not hard to become a singer, but you do need to put the work in.
Once you have an idea of the type of singer you want to be, it’s time to start taking singing lessons from a professional vocal coach. A good vocal coach will help you learn proper vocal techniques, expand your range, improve your tone, and eliminate bad habits. They will also give you tailored feedback on your strengths and weaknesses as a singer. Taking regular singing lessons is essential if you want to be a professional singer.
Performance experience is key if you want to be a professional singer because it helps build confidence on stage as well as gives you practice dealing with nerves.
And that’s it! By following these three steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the singer you’ve always dreamed of being. Just remember to never give up on your dreams and to always keep practicing!
Carrie A. teaches guitar and singing lessons in Monclova, OH. She has a BA in music and business, and has been teaching professionally for over 10 years. Learn more about Carrie here!
Suzy S.