How to Become a Singer

Sing your heart out.

Anyone can sing, but to sing beautifully and make a successful career out of it calls for more than just innate talent. Your challenge depends not only on skill, but on your dedication to your craft and on whom you know in some cases.

Things You'll Need

• Audio and video on developing your singing voice
• Footage of successful singers performing
• Karaoke tracks of songs on your repertoire
• Recording equipment to further your singing career

Instructions

1. Get your voice ready. Avail of audio or video materials that instruct you on the effective and safe use of your singing voice. Rehearse on a daily basis and take care of your vocal cords. Avoid smoking, drinking hard liquor, and the ingestion of anything too cold or too hot, particularly before singing.

2. Observe those who have come before you. Watch videos and actual live performances of successful singers to take note of their techniques for vocal and stage performance. Singing after all is about more than just being a skilled vocalist. Adapt a combination of tried-and-true tactics that work well with your own style and strengths as a singer.

3. Record yourself singing along with instrumental or karaoke tracks and begin performing in front of caring yet honest audiences such as family and friends. Listen for constructive feedback and make adjustments accordingly.

4. Look for all opportune moments to perform in the public eye. Depending on your singing career goals, you could make appearances at open mic nights, get a license to sing on the boardwalk at the beach, sing at weddings and other special occasions, book yourself at cafés and even join singing competitions. Sing with confidence. If you are passionate about being recognized as a singer, you will put yourself out there and dust yourself off if ever you take a fall. So-called failure is a step towards greatness if you learn from it.

5. Invest in equipment and materials necessary for your growth as a singer. Examples of these are a microphone especially made for singing, and computer software for the purpose of recording and editing. These can help you create your own record album to sell or hand out at your public performances. The chances that you will be discovered or that other performers will find you and want to work with you are greater this way.

6. Build your image. The right clothes and makeup can make or break you. Ideally, they would be the perfect accessory to your talent. Select a look that you are comfortable with that goes with your singing style and is likely to click with the crowds you perform for.

7. Continue giving yourself publicity as a singer. Perform in public every chance you get. Set up profiles for yourself on social networking sites, where you can post demos of your songs for others to listen to at their convenience. Keep up the great work. Before you know it, you could be in demand as the next hot singer!

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to do your warm-up exercises always before singing to avoid injury.

• If your budget allows, enroll with a reputable vocal coach or school to polish your technique and receive the most possible assistance with your career.

• After a while, you may want to write and perform your own songs. Your repertoire should reflect the message you are sending to your audience.

• As a professional singer, your voice is your bread and butter. Think twice about abusing your vocal cords in any way, through shouting, for instance, or with the use of damaging substances. A quick general rule is: If it's not good for your body, it's not good for your voice.

Resources

• Taking care of your vocal cords.