Love to sing? Ever wonder if you have what it takes to become a pro singer?
Justin Timberlake sang harmony to commercial jingles when he was just two years old. The rest of us, and even most professional singers, aren’t so lucky that we find out that early in life.
We all go through the motions: sometimes we want to try to pursue singing, and sometimes, we doubt our ability. And every so often, it just feels like you’re born to sing.
The answer isn’t always obvious, but there are (often subtle) signs we can all find to help us decide how far we’re willing to go to become a singer for life. Here are the 6 most powerful signs.
Singing makes you feel euphoric
Singing can be so emotionally and mentally elevating that it feels as though you’re on another plane of existence, or outside your body, as you sing. At other times, you can feel very much “in” your body, mindful of every sensation and movement. Sometimes, it can make the singer feel both. There will always be the occasional day when singing does not mean euphoria. You’ll be tired, or under the weather, or burned out. But if you feel pure joy when you sing 90% of the time, then you should chase that feeling.
Lessons and practice are really, really fun
A sure sign that perhaps you won’t become a pro singer is that singing bores you. If you daydream during most of your voice lessons or practice sessions about being, chances are it won’t motivate you for the long haul. It’s possible you’re bored because you’re not singing the repertoire that you enjoy, or that your teacher is not a good fit for you. Still, passionate singers find ways to enjoy and sing through dull songs or difficult routines.
All you ever want to do is sing
They say that you should choose singing as your life’s work, only if it’s the only thing that you want to do. It doesn’t mean you don’t pursue or enjoy any other hobbies or activities. It just means singing requires hard work, dedication, and an open heart. Often that means long hours and strenuous study, leaving very little time for other pursuits. Lifelong singers welcome and embrace spending almost all of their time and energy towards mastering their craft of singing.
Singing doesn’t feel like work
When you’re born to sing, then singing even in the crummiest of circumstances or settings never feels like a job. You’re happy to try balancing your singing time with school, work, and family. Getting paid for gigs keeps the pursuit alive and it makes you happy, but you realize that it’s not your primary purpose.
You can take constructive criticism
This is tough for most of us. And perhaps, being able to take constructive criticism (positive, encouraging diagnosis of vocal problems) about your singing is more accurately a sign of your maturity than it is of your singing ability. Natural singers who work hard to learn and improve also welcome and accept criticism from their teachers or mentors. Handling criticism gracefully is a surefire sign that lets you know you’re on the right track of improvement.
You have a student’s mindset during the start, middle, and end
As a student of voice, you must be willing and able to be open, honest, and vulnerable with your teacher or coach, presenting your raw, this-is-what-my-mama-gave-me voice. Being “teachable” is extremely important in mastering any craft. Like the famous saying goes, “hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”
Talented students who don’t remain receptive to teaching, and who believe they have signing all figured out hit a wall harder and earlier than students who don’t start out gifted, but stay focused on growing.
Born singers are those who know how utterly fun singing can be. They realize how long and tedious singing properly can take, and go for it anyway one day at a time. Attitude takes you a long way. If you haven’t perfected range and vibrato by the age of 10, but still work towards it, you’re on the right path!
Suzy S.