Can Anyone Really Become a Better Singer?

Learn to sing: beginner voice lessons, techniques, and tips to build confidence

Picture of Rose Park

Rose Park

updated 9/10/25 • 4 min read

Whether you’re singing in a choir, encouraging your child to try music, or simply enjoying singing around the house, you might wonder if it’s possible to take your voice further. The good news is that anyone — kids, teens, or adults — can become a better singer with the right guidance and practice.

This step-by-step guide will help you get started with singing lessons, build solid technique, and grow confidence in your voice.

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Table of Contents

What’s the best way to improve my singing?

One of the most effective ways to grow as a singer is through voice lessons. With the help of a singing teacher, you can discover your strengths, work on challenges, and learn healthy techniques that set you up for long-term success.

For beginners, live online or in-person lessons are usually the best fit, since they provide personalized plans and real-time feedback. Online lessons are especially convenient for busy families — often more affordable, time-saving, and hassle-free — while in-person lessons can be great for students who prefer face-to-face interaction.

Pre-recorded videos can still be fun to watch and seem easy to follow, but since they aren’t tailored to your voice, age, or level, progress may take much longer.

Another great option is joining a choir or singing group, such as a school or church choir. Singing with others builds listening skills, helps you blend your voice, and boosts confidence in front of an audience.

For those with more experience, competitions and talent shows can provide valuable performance opportunities. At that stage, working with professional instructors can also help expand your repertoire and prepare you for auditions.

Yes! Anyone can learn to sing — here’s how

Singing, like any skill, requires dedicated practice and patience. For young beginners, we suggest they start voice lessons at ages 6 to 7. With proper instruction, anyone can become a better singer. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Find the right singing instructor

A great voice teacher makes all the difference when starting out. They’ll help you build a healthy foundation, guide you step by step, and give practice tips that fit your voice and goals.

When choosing a singing teacher, look for someone with training in voice performance and a few years of teaching experience. Before your first lesson, it’s worth checking their bio, background, and even listening to a performance or two so you feel confident moving forward.

Practice singing regularly

As the saying goes, “practice makes progress” — and that’s true for singing too. A little regular practice at home, starting with simple breathing exercises, goes a long way. Stay consistent with your voice lessons, avoid long breaks, and you’ll see your voice grow stronger and more confident over time.
Can anyone really become a better singer?

Step 3: Set goals for your singing

Start by setting small, realistic goals and making a simple plan — whether that means regular practice, lessons, listening to music, or finding chances to perform.

For kids, parents and the instructor can help by keeping goals fun and encouraging steady progress. For adults, it’s about staying patient, and trusting instruction and the process. In every case, consistent effort over time is what helps singers grow with confidence.

Step 4: Explore the music you love

Exploring different musical genres is a great way to discover songs and styles that fit your voice and interests. Make a list of the genres you or your child already enjoy, and share it with your teacher so you can work on learning those songs comfortably.

4 essential vocal techniques every singer should know

Whether you’re just starting out or have been singing for years, certain vocal techniques are the foundation of healthy, confident singing. Here are four essentials to focus on — and remember, a good instructor can help you practice them safely and effectively.

1. Breath Control

Strong, clear singing starts with proper breath support. Keep an upright posture with your chest open and shoulders relaxed. Breathe smoothly and avoid unnecessary movement in your throat. Your teacher can show you simple breathing exercises to strengthen control.

2. Releasing Tension

Tension in the neck, jaw, tongue, or shoulders can hold your voice back. Pay attention to where tightness builds up and practice releasing it while you sing. Relaxed muscles mean less strain and a freer, more natural tone.

3. Caring for Your Vocal Cords

Healthy vocal cords are key to long-term progress. Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol, and avoid smoking. Don’t push your voice beyond its limits or practice for too long without breaks. If you’re not sure, ask your instructor about healthy practice habits.

4. Understanding Vocal Resonance

Resonance is what makes your voice sound full and vibrant. As your sound travels through your throat, mouth, and nose, it naturally gets amplified and colored. By learning to adjust how you shape your mouth and lift your soft palate, you can find a tone that feels richer and carries more easily. A teacher can guide you through simple exercises to hear and feel the difference.

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What are common challenges singers face?

For beginners

Pitch control, breath support, and performance nerves are the most common hurdles. Kids and adults alike may struggle with staying in tune, finding the right notes, or managing steady breathing. Performance anxiety is normal too, especially in lessons or recitals. With regular practice and supportive teachers, these challenges improve quickly and help build a strong vocal foundation.

For intermediate singers (2+ years of lessons)

Articulation, vocal tension, and range expansion become the next focus. It takes work to pronounce lyrics clearly while staying on pitch. Trying to reach higher or lower notes often brings tension, but targeted exercises and consistent effort can expand range safely without strain.

For advanced singers (5+ years of lessons)

For experienced singers, the focus shifts to artistry. This can mean adding new genres to your repertoire, polishing techniques, and digging into the details that bring a song to life. At this stage, singing isn’t just about hitting notes — it’s about expression and refining skills to sound more professional.
Can anyone become a better singer? Lesson With You Singing lessons article

What to expect in your first singing lesson

Anyone new to singing is welcome in voice lessons! In a typical live online or in-person session, you’ll begin with warm-ups and vocal exercises. Your teacher will listen carefully to your voice, assess your current strengths, and recommend exercises to prepare for songs. When you sing, they may guide you on posture, diction, breathing, and other technical skills to help you sound your best.

For beginners, the most important part is enjoying the process. Focus on exploring new songs, building a varied repertoire, and letting your love for singing motivate you to grow. With time and consistency, your skills and confidence will follow naturally.

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My child likes to sing. What’s the best age for them to start singing lessons?

Parents often wonder what the best age is for a child to start singing lessons. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it depends on each child’s interest, maturity, and ability to focus. In general, our teachers recommend beginning around age 7.

Some children show a love for singing very early, while others discover it later. Fun, informal singing activities can be a great introduction, with more structured lessons added as interest grows.

If you’re unsure about private lessons, group singing classes can be a good starting point before transitioning to one-on-one sessions. We encourage parents to choose a teacher with a degree in voice performance or music education to ensure professional instruction.

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Rose Park

Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.