Getting Started with Singing
Can Anyone Really Become a Better Singer?
Rose Park
2/2/24 • 4 min read
Ever wondered if you can upgrade your singing skills? If you love singing anywhere around the house, in the shower, and are curious about the next steps to become an even better singer, you’ve come to the right place.
In short, absolutely, anyone can become a better singer.
If you’re eager to expand your vocal range, sing in tune, learn proper vocal techniques, and build confidence in singing, follow this step-by-step guide on how to become a singer.
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What’s the best way to improve my singing?
The best way to improve your vocal skills is to start taking voice lessons. Voice lessons will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and learn proper techniques under the guidance of expert instructors.
The most ideal type of lesson is live online or in-person lessons, which provide personalized lesson plans and real time feedback from the instructor. Recorded videos for self learning aren’t ideal for beginners, as they are general and not customized for your age, level, and preferences.
Joining a choir or singing group, such as a school or church choir, is another great way to meet fellow singers, listen to different voices, and gain performance experience in front of an audience.
For those who already have some voice training or choir experience, entering competitions and talent shows can help take your singing to the next level and give you valuable exposure to the industry. Additionally, you can think about taking lessons from professionals who can help expand your repertoire and prepare you for auditions.
Can anyone learn to sing at any age?
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 competent singer. Here are some suggestions to get started:
A professional voice instructor can help you build a healthy, solid vocal foundation along with customized lesson plan and practice tips. We suggest choosing a teacher who has majored in voice performance with more than two years of teaching experience for best learning outcomes. Before scheduling your first lesson, take a moment to explore your teacher’s bio and background, and listen to their performances online to see if you like their style.
Practice regularly
As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” This applies to any musical skill, including singing. To make steady progress, you need to dedicate time and effort. Try practicing at home regularly, starting with breathing exercises. Attend your lessons consistently and avoid long breaks for more than a month. With regular, diligent practice, you will gradually improve your vocal skills over time.
Research what genres of music you like
Make a learning goal
Start with setting a goal and make an actionable plan to achieve them through regular practice, lessons, listening, and performance opportunities. What’s important for every student is to be patient and trust the consistent process for becoming a better singer.
Vocal techniques every singer should know
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned singer, there are key vocal techniques every singer should have in their repertoire. Check out this list of 4 must-know techniques to boost your skills. Be sure to read our guide “9 Vocal Techniques to Improve Your Voice” for more detailed tips.
1. Breath control
Proper breath support is important for strong, clear singing. Maintain good upright posture with your chest open and shoulders relaxed. Relax your throat and open your vocal folds and breath smoothly without moving too much.
2. Reduce tension
Be aware of tension building up in the body as you sing. Common areas of excess tension include the neck, jaw, tongue, lips, shoulders and legs. Consciously relax any tight muscles to prevent vocal strain.
3. Healthy vocal cords
Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake, which can dry out and irritate the vocal cords. Don’t overpractice or push your voice to extreme high or low ranges. Ask your instructor about ideal practice duration and methods.
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4. Understand how to use vocal resonance
As sound passes through your throat, mouth, nose it gets amplified. Move your soft palate up or down to direct sound outwards. Let some vocal resonance come through your nose to enrich your tone with extra harmonics. This will increase your vocal range and control.
What are common challenges singers face?
For Beginners
For beginners, common challenges include pitch control, breath control, and performance anxiety. Many struggle with maintaining consistent pitch and steady breathing, finding the right notes, and staying in tune. Every singer faces performance anxiety, especially during lessons and performances. The good news? It improves with dedicated practice and lessons from expert teachers who know how to handle nerves and help you build a solid vocal foundation.
For Intermediate Singers (2+ years of lessons)
Intermediate level singers face challenges such as articulation, vocal tension, and range expansion. Pronouncing lyrics distinctly while singing in tune is not easy. Vocal tension, common when expanding vocal range, can be challenging to reach higher or lower notes. Targeted exercises and consistent effort help singers gradually extend their vocal capabilities while not hurting their vocal cords.
For Advanced Singers (5+ years of lessons)
I’m new to singing. What can I expect out of voice lessons?
Anyone new to singing is welcome to join voice lessons! Let’s say you’re taking a live online lesson. In a single session, you’ll start with warm-ups and vocal exercises, and the instructor will assess your vocal condition and recommend exercises to prepare for the song part. When you sing the song, the teacher will correct your posture, diction, and other technical and musical elements for a great performance.
For beginners, we suggest finding joy in the learning process and concentrating on diversifying your repertoire. It’s important to maximize the benefits of your lessons while ensuring that your love for singing remains at the core, driving your ambition to improve as a better singer.
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My child wants to sing. What’s the best age for them to start singing lessons?
Parents often wonder about the best age for their child to start singing lessons. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It largely depends on the child’s individual interest, maturity, and ability to focus during lessons. In general, our teachers recommend starting voice lessons at the age of 7.
Some children show a great interest in singing from a very young age, while others may develop a passion a bit later. Starting with less formal, fun singing activities can be a great introduction, and as their interest grows, considering more structured lessons may be a natural next step.
If you’re unsure about one-on-one lessons, your child can start with group singing lessons and later transition to one-on-one sessions. However, we generally encourage parents to choose a voice teacher with a degree in voice performance or music education to ensure professional instruction.
Are you ready to get started?
You love to sing but are unsure about the next steps to improve your singing even further? Start your voice lessons at Lessons With You! We have a dedicated team of professional instructors with degrees from top music schools. The first lesson is complimentary, and no contracts are required.
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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.