Growing up in the church, singing in school choirs, and having a musically talented household really blessed me when starting to learn the ropes in the music world.
I was surrounded by many really gifted yet humble people who had been working on their gifts of singing for years.
I want to share some of the best advice I received from these good singers at the start of my singing journey. While some of these tips may seem obvious, a few of them might surprise you and help you in the ways you weren't looking for.
I say this often, and I won't hesitate to say it again, listen to your own voice! Not just when you're singing around the house or in the car, but listen to it played back on a device!
Recording yourself is one of the quickest ways to expand on the things you like about your voice and tweak or totally get rid of the things you don't like.
It will be very weird at first; most people don't even like the sound of their own talking voice. But the more you practice this, the more you will slowly craft your voice into a sound that is truly special.
Related Post: I Thought I Could Sing Until I Recorded Myself!
Thanks to Youtube, you can watch countless hours of stars singing, teachers giving tips, and everyday hidden musical geniuses providing you with musical gems.
Looking for ways to warm up your voice better? Go to Youtube! Looking for cool ornamental runs, riffs, and adlibs you can incorporate into your singing style? Go to Youtube!
Looking for exclusive tips from the best singers in your particular genre? Chances are, you will find all of this on Youtube!
Hell, just watching reruns of shows like The Voice can be a productive form of market research if you can really soak in some of the performances and take the time to mimic what you hear.
A lot of people learn how to sing without any formal training, but formal training can actually put you miles ahead of the game.
Whether you're considering a school course, getting voice lessons, or scouring the internet for as much free information you can find on the theory and technical side of music, you will be really doing yourself a favor by getting into the educational aspect of it all.
There are several really helpful music books on Amazon that can teach you the basics of singing!
Learning how to sing well is not something that can happen overnight. There will be hundreds, even thousands of moments where you will feel like you are not able to hit that note, sing that phrase, or stay in tune. Singing is really hard work!
When I was first learning the art of singing, there was at least a 5-year timespan where I felt like I got the gist of it all in theory, but I was still so far from being on the level of the professionals. Give yourself a realistic amount of time to become a great singer.
Related Post: Learn how long it takes to get good at singing.
Your vocal instrument can be a very sensitive thing. If you're spending hours a day perfecting your craft, that's great to hear, but don't overdo it!
Especially if you're unable to have a professional vocal coach to guide you along the way and help you use your vocal cords in the most healthy manner, don't be tempted to stress your voice out.
You can really wear your voice out if you sing too hard, too long, or without being warmed up enough. Take some time to get educated on what will and will not work well for your singing journey.
There will be some things you won't be able to hear and improve without some outside ears and outside opinions. Get a friend or family member to sit in on your practice sessions every once and a while and ask them for honest, constructive feedback.
The less likely they are to sugarcoat, the better. More obviously, the higher their music skill level is, the better. The more ears, the merrier.
Here's a little warning about this tip, though. Music is a very subjective thing, so don't get too confused if you hear very conflicting feedback from different people.
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As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
