As an aspiring singer, actor, musician or other kind of performer, getting comfortable with auditions is a big part of the process. Along with this comes rejection, which you might face a lot of before you make it big. Read on as Haddon Heights, NJ teacher Aaron K. shares his tips for moving on…
For those of you out there who dream of pursuing a career in singing, it can be an exciting but sometimes frightening journey. You may have no idea where to start or how to handle the ups and downs that come with chasing success in the music industry.
The one thing that all singers need to know before they begin their path is: rejection comes with the territory.
Rejection from agents, producers, record labels – it’s all part of striving for greatness as an artist and nobody should let these knockbacks put them down.
Fortunately, we’ve got three great tips on how you can use rejections positively and push forward your singing career aspirations!
Is Singing a Good Career?
Singing can be a great career choice for those with a passion for performance and vocal talent:
- It provides the opportunity to create something unique, inspiring, and entertaining for both the artist and audience alike.
- Unlike most other jobs, singing offers the chance to build an individual name and brand through hard work, practice, and creativity.
- Singing also presents ample chances around the world to tour and travel, giving artists a way to share their craft with numerous die-hard fans.
- Even in today’s digital age, singers remain integral parts of media culture in all genres of music.
- Finally, while a professional singer’s career path may be unpredictable at times and challenging in other ways, it ultimately rewards dedication with the satisfaction of mastering one’s craft at a high level.
Ready to start your career as a singer? If you’re wondering, “how can I start a singing career?” your next step is to sign up for singing lessons today! Not only will you receive expert advice tailored toward your needs and goals, but you’ll learn new skills like what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huqdwhVX9TI
How to Start a Singing Career and Learn to Deal With Rejection
I’m currently trying to become a professional opera singer. I know, it’s a dying art form, no one really understands the plots, and it’s only for snobby rich people who actually enjoy listening to Arnold Schoenberg (sorry if you do, I still can’t get into it). While I understand (yet contest for many reasons) all the previous points, I am choosing this path and have to deal with something that is common to all performers, whether you’re working toward a singing career or something else in the industry: rejection.
You’ve trained for years. You’ve read all the articles on auditioning. Heck, maybe you’ve even researched your audition panel to try to play to their tastes. But after all that effort, you didn’t get the part. You didn’t get on American Idol. You didn’t get into the college you had your heart set on. I’ve personally had to deal with rejection more times than I like to think about. Here’s a few steps to help you with this difficult outcome.
1) Separate yourself from your performing.
The initial impact of being told “no” can be quite hard. What really makes matters worse, though, is when you take rejection as a personal attack. You are not your voice. You are not your interpretation of Hamlet. You are not your piano, cello, flute, or anything else you have been studying. You are a complex human being with many attributes that are unique and wonderful. Your auditioners are not saying no to you as a person. It’s much easier to say my singing was rejected rather than I was rejected.
2) Shrug off the “je ne sais quoi” factor.
After getting over the initial emotional blow, your mind can start churning ceaselessly with thoughts like “Why didn’t they like me?”, “Did they not like my high Bb?”, or “I knew I should have taken it at a slower tempo.” While it will be important to reflect on what you need to improve (the next step), for now it is important to recollect yourself. Realize that there are any number of things (some of which may be out of your control) that might have lead to the rejection. Perhaps the panel wanted someone taller. Perhaps the college wanted a student who couldn’t play as well but had better grades. Or perhaps someone else took your spot because they knew someone in the selection process. It’s impossible to know exactly why your performance wasn’t chosen. Rather, accept that you didn’t have that certain “je ne sais quoi” and don’t give it another thought. Instead, try to shift your focus and…
3) Ask “What I can do better next time?”
With a strong emotional reaction, it’s important to take a step back and rationally evaluate your weak areas. Do you lack flexibility and accuracy in your training? Work on scales and arpeggios. Did you lose your support on the high notes? Do more lip burbles in higher keys. Did your monologue seem vague and uninteresting? Make more specific choices in your delivery. When faced with rejection, you can either let it eat away at you and destroy your resolve, or you can face it as a challenge for the next time.
At the end of the day, rejection won’t matter if you’re pursuing a performance or singing career for the right reason. It’s not just something fun for you. You’re driven by a need to express and create. You have something meaningful to say and you want people to listen. If this is the case, it won’t matter that this audition didn’t pan out, because you have 10 more lined up. You may get rejected for years and work jobs you hate for pennies that can barely sustain your lessons and audition fees. But dealing with rejection will never be an issue because it will be as normal to you now as your morning cup of coffee. If this is the case, you don’t have to worry about “making it” in the performance world. If this is the case, you are an artist, and the only thing that matters to you is your art.
How Do I Start a Singing Career?
Starting a singing career can seem intimidating, but luckily it is easier than ever to begin in today’s age of the internet.
With a YouTube channel and other streaming services you have countless opportunities to promote your music and share it with a global audience. It’s important to start by creating content that has emotional depth and an individualized style, so that people will be able to distinguish your sound.
When promoting your music online focus on creating relationships with fans and potential sponsors as this is key to success in the digital marketplace. You can also get noticed by connecting with other artists through messages, emails or social media engagement, which could lead to collaborations inside the industry.
All in all, taking initiative and staying motivated are both necessary components for beginning a successful singing career!
Most importantly, remember that rejection is a normal part of having a singing career. The best way to deal with it is to have a positive attitude, take lessons, be persistent, and never give up on your dreams. Keep these tips in mind the next time you face rejection and you’ll be one step closer to achieving your goals!
Aaron K. teaches acting, singing, and piano in Haddon Heights, NJ. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music from University of Miami and a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Texas Tech University. Learn more about Aaron here!
Photo by marc falardeau
Suzy S.