You know the truth: you spend all your time singing and secretly dream of having overwhelming success as a performer. You probably know that becoming a professional singer is difficult and requires a lot of effort; but the good news is that it is achievable. Cultivate your voice and style, invest in the right tools and promote yourself to become a successful singer!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Developing Your Skills
Step 1. Take singing lessons
Whether you are convinced that you will become the next big star or you are just starting this path, you can always take advantage of some classes. By working with a singing instructor, you will not only learn to sing better, but also to control your voice to do it the way you want. Look for music schools or people who give private lessons in your area.
Step 2. Practice
If you are a singer, your voice will be your instrument and if you want to become a singing virtuoso, you have to practice, practice and practice. Practice whether it's in the shower, in the car, for your grandparents, in the church choir, or just in your bedroom.
- Practice your favorite songs, but also others of different styles. You can learn a lot if you try to perform different types of music.
- Singing is a very physical art. Apart from trying to get to the correct note, practice breathing well when singing, having your body in a good position, among other aspects.
- With a lot of practice, you will learn what your capacity and characteristics are as a singer; for example, your vocal range, your natural tone, and your preferred styles.
Step 3. Get a degree
While you don't need a specific degree or educational background to become the next idol, if you are serious about creating a singing career, an education will pay off. Many universities offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as music and vocal performance, which will deepen your knowledge and experience, making you a better singer overall.
- In addition to studying the fundamentals of music theory and vocal performance, it's a good idea to take classes or earn a second degree in an area like business or marketing. These options will diversify your education and give you valuable knowledge that you can take advantage of later when you want to promote yourself as a singer and establish yourself in the music market.
- Many institutions ask you to audition for an academic program in music.
Step 4. Learn to read sheet music
Even if you have a beautiful voice, if you can't read sheet music, you will be illiterate to achieve your dream career in music. Having this skill will help you communicate with other performers, write your own songs, and deepen your knowledge of this art. If you don't get formal music training, do some independent study in order to learn to read sheet music and understand the fundamentals of music theory (rhythm, harmony, etc.).
Step 5. Learn an instrument
Singing well is, in itself, a skill. However, if you have at least a basic understanding of another instrument, you will have an advantage. Being able to play one like the guitar, piano, or drums while singing will help you practice, write songs, and communicate your ideas to other musicians. Mastering various instruments could improve your chances of finding a job and other opportunities.
Part 2 of 3: Finding Opportunities
Step 1. Improve your confidence
To sing well in front of others, you have to be confident and charismatic. The only way to improve your confidence as a singer is to dare and sing as much as you can. Try the following activities:
- sing in karaoke;
- make presentations on the street;
- participate in a talent show;
- introduce you to a singing contest;
- offer to sing at parties, weddings and religious ceremonies or for your family on holidays, and for any other public celebration.
Step 2. Join a choir or some other singing group
When you're ready to come out and sing in public, you can look for groups that you could sing with. Some examples are a church or school choir, a singing club, a community choir, a vocal quartet, a group that sings Christmas carols, etc. Although you may not be the center of attention when singing with a group, you can still learn a lot and motivate yourself to improve.
If you are interested, you can ask the group director for an opportunity to sing a solo
Step 3. Find your style
Once you have gained a bit of singing skills, it would be good to focus on becoming unique. To get off to a good start, be flexible. Try to sing in as many styles as you can, then decide which ones you like best and play them well.
If you have any special qualities as a singer or performer, this is the time to start developing it. For example, you may be able to hit very high notes or have a “raspy” voice that is excellent for soul music
Step 4. Write your own songs
If you really want to excel as a singer and performer, you can also start writing your own music. Focus on writing songs in whatever style and form you enjoy the most, but always look for opportunities to expand and develop your art.
- You can write both the music and lyrics yourself, or work with a collaborator to create either.
- If you play an instrument, use it to compose your musical ideas, even if you plan to write a song that requires another instrument in the future.
- Have a notebook to jot down any music or lyric ideas you have when you feel inspired.
Step 5. Set goals and push yourself hard
Being successful as a singer will take a lot of effort and you are more than likely to encounter setbacks and rejections along the way. Therefore, being patient is very important. Although there are stories of some stars that seem to emerge overnight, most singers put in a lot of time and effort before they are successful.
Determine the success you want to achieve. You can create a five-year plan to define where you want to go as a singer, but be receptive to changes and accept that your plan will most likely have to change, at least a little
Part 3 of 3: Promote Yourself
Step 1. Get a job that pays you regularly
As soon as you can, look for a job that pays you to be a singer, as it will add professionalism to your experience. Even if the job isn't glamorous, it could open doors for you.
- Some examples of paid jobs as a singer are singing on a cruise ship, a theme park, a club, or at weddings or parties, or doing jingles for commercials, etc.
- Some singers manage to find a job as backup singers for a local or touring artist. This can be a good networking opportunity. Look for notices for auditions that you might be able to attend or contact the artists directly.
- You can start looking for paid jobs at a local club or other performance venue, although it would be nice if you have an agent, your own team, and a demo.
- While you are waiting for your “emergence”, you can give singing lessons to other people, teach music, manage reservations at a club or have some other job that is related to singing. This could give you an invaluable experience as you pursue your dreams.
- Finding singing jobs that pay you on a regular basis can be very difficult. If you can't earn enough to support yourself, look for a job in another area and work on your singing career in your spare time.
Step 2. Buy the equipment
You can increase your chances of landing a job if you have your own team to introduce yourself. This will allow you to search for jobs and venues that do not have a sound system or where you prefer to use yours. However, musical equipment can be expensive. When you're just starting out, you don't need to have the best equipment or all the new gadgets. However, if you are serious about your singing career, it will be good if you can barely get some specifics like:
- a microphone;
- a PA system (public address system);
- a vocal processor;
- any effects equipment you depend on.
Step 3. Make a demo
Once you've perfected a series of your own songs or covers, start recording them to create a demo. You can use the recordings to get jobs, contracts, and other opportunities. You can book some time in a professional studio (which could be expensive), but it is quite easy to do a respectable recording in a home studio with non-professional computers and software.
To perform a demo, most of the time you will only need 4 songs. However, you can always record more and choose the best ones
Step 4. Get an agent
This could help you find jobs, promote yourself, network, negotiate contracts, earn more money, and develop your career. You can search for professional agents in your area or even ask a friend or family member to help you.
Professional agents will charge you a fee, which could be a percentage of what you earn from your jobs and other sources of income. Make sure they come up with a written contract that the two of you agree to
Step 5. Submit your demo
Your agent can help you send it to clubs, radio stations, record labels, and other places to look for opportunities. Make sure your demo showcases your best work and presents the most accessible first. Also, consider including a cover letter or resume with it detailing your experience and accomplishments as a singer.
Modern demos may not be a CD or a physical object, but a series of songs online. Either way, the same considerations must be taken into account
Step 6. Connect
Nowadays, if you want to be successful as a singer, you will have to have some kind of presence on the Internet. Create professional profiles on different social networks, publish recordings and videos in which you are performing a song and look for your music to be on the lists of different services to listen to music online and download it.
It might be more difficult to make money outright if people listen to your songs online, but it could make your name known and encourage them to attend your performances
Step 7. Perfect your style
Personal image and appearance are important to singers. As a performer, you are going to project an image of yourself and the style of music in which you specialize. The clothes you wear, the way you move, and other physical aspects of the performance are important. Think carefully about how you want to use your style to engage with your audience as well as communicate what makes you unique.
- For example, if you want to play classical music, it usually makes sense to wear formal clothes. However, if you want to stand out from the rest, you could play Beethoven in a T-shirt and ripped jeans.
- Similarly, if you play gothic rock, your audience might find it strange that you show up in overalls and a cowboy hat. Again, this could get you noticed.
Step 8. Promote yourself, promote yourself and promote yourself
To "be successful," most singers have to be tireless in promoting themselves. Do not miss any opportunity. In addition to looking for opportunities to work and record, you could also carry out the activities listed below.
- Network at events like SXSW (South of the Southwest).
- Sell promotional products with your logo or your name (t-shirts, stickers, hats, CDs, etc.).
- Make a press kit to share your identity as a singer.