Is becoming a singer right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to become a Singer
Becoming a singer is a process that requires dedication, hard work, and persistence. Here are some detailed steps that can help you become a singer:
- Develop your singing skills: The first step to becoming a singer is to develop your singing skills. You can do this by taking singing lessons from a vocal coach, practicing singing regularly, and listening to different types of music to expand your vocal range and style.
- Build a repertoire: As you develop your singing skills, start building a repertoire of songs that you can perform. Choose songs that showcase your vocal range and style and that you feel comfortable singing.
- Perform: Once you have built a repertoire, start performing in front of others. This could be in front of family and friends, at open mic nights, or at local venues. Performing regularly will help you gain confidence and improve your stage presence.
- Create a demo: Once you feel confident in your singing abilities, create a demo recording of yourself singing. This can be a professionally recorded demo or a recording that you make at home. Your demo should showcase your best singing and demonstrate your range and style.
- Market yourself: Once you have a demo, start marketing yourself as a singer. Create a website, social media accounts, and business cards to promote yourself. Attend music industry events and network with other musicians, producers, and music executives.
- Seek professional guidance: As you begin to gain traction as a singer, seek professional guidance from a music manager or agent. They can help you book gigs, negotiate contracts, and guide your career.
- Keep practicing and performing: Finally, keep practicing and performing regularly. The more you sing, the better you will become. Continue to develop your skills and expand your repertoire to stay relevant in the music industry.
Associations
There are several associations for singers that can provide support, resources, and networking opportunities for aspiring and professional singers. Here are some of the most prominent associations for singers:
- National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS): NATS is an organization that promotes excellence in the art of singing through education, training, and performance. It provides resources, workshops, and conferences for teachers of singing and their students.
- American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA): AGMA is a labor union that represents opera singers, chorus singers, and dancers. It negotiates contracts, provides legal assistance, and advocates for the rights of performers.
- American Federation of Musicians (AFM): AFM is a labor union that represents musicians, including singers. It negotiates contracts, provides legal assistance, and advocates for the rights of performers.
- The Recording Academy: The Recording Academy is a professional membership organization for musicians, producers, engineers, and other industry professionals. It hosts the annual Grammy Awards and provides resources and networking opportunities for members.
- Songwriters Guild of America (SGA): SGA is a non-profit organization that represents songwriters and composers in the USA. It provides advocacy, education, and networking opportunities for its members.
- Music Teachers National Association (MTNA): MTNA is a professional association for music teachers, including voice teachers. It provides resources, workshops, and networking opportunities for its members.
Online Resources
There are many online resources available for singers, including:
Vocal Workouts:
- Singing Success 360 by Brett Manning: Singing Success 360 is an online vocal training program created by renowned vocal coach Brett Manning. The program includes a range of vocal exercises, warm-ups, and techniques designed to improve your singing.
- VOCALIZEU Daily Vocal Workout App: This is a mobile app that provides daily vocal exercises for singers. It includes a range of warm-ups, breathing exercises, and other techniques to help improve your voice.
- The Singer's Corner Vocal Warmup App: Another mobile app that provides daily vocal warm-ups and exercises for singers. It includes a range of exercises for breath control, tone, and pitch.
- Vocalize! App by Vocal Masterclassics: This is an app that provides vocal warm-ups and exercises for singers. It includes exercises for breathing, pitch, tone, and other important aspects of singing.
YouTube Channels:
- Felicia Ricci: Felicia Ricci is a singer, songwriter, and vocal coach who offers singing tips, tutorials, and performances on her YouTube channel. Her videos cover a range of topics, from breathing and posture to performance tips.
- New York Vocal Coaching: This YouTube channel features videos from vocal coach Justin Stoney, who offers vocal tips, technique exercises, and performance advice for singers.
- Eric Arceneaux: Eric Arceneaux is a vocal coach who offers singing lessons and tutorials on his YouTube channel. He covers a range of topics, including vocal range, control, and techniques for specific genres of music.
- Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy: Ken Tamplin is a vocal coach who offers singing lessons, tutorials, and performances on his YouTube channel. His videos cover a range of topics, including breathing, posture, and vocal exercises.
Online Singing Lessons:
- MasterClass Singing Lessons with Christina Aguilera: This is an online course offered by MasterClass, which features lessons from Grammy-winning artist Christina Aguilera. The course covers a range of topics, from warm-ups and breathing techniques to stage presence and performance.
- Singing Lessons by Mark Baxter: Mark Baxter is a vocal coach who offers online singing lessons, which can be tailored to your individual needs and goals as a singer.
- Singing Lessons with Madeleine Harvey: Madeleine Harvey is a vocal coach who offers online singing lessons, which include a range of vocal exercises and techniques to improve your singing.
- The Vocalist Studio Online Singing Lessons: The Vocalist Studio is a vocal training program created by renowned vocal coach Robert Lunte. The program includes online singing lessons, as well as a range of vocal exercises and techniques to improve your singing.