How to Become a Professional Singer

A career in the music business as a singer can be very rewarding even if you never become a “star.” While many professional singers perform and record with bands, a studio musician (or “singer”) is used to singing from sheet music supplied by songwriters. Although many singers would not be content as a demo singer, they can make a good living singing exclusively in recording studios.Good demo singers are usually able to sing a song which they have never heard before solely by reading sheet music. If this seems like an appealing career choice, read on to learn how to become a professional singer.

Things You'll Need

• Great singing skills
• CD demo and copies
• Booking agency and/or manager (recommended)
• Press kit (including 8 x 10 photo(s))
• “Billboard Magazine” subscription (recommended)
• “Songwriter’s Market” book (recommended)

Instructions

1. Take singing lessons and participate in school band and vocal performances, and music classes. If you can afford to do so, locate and hire a singing tutor.

2. Prepare copies of your resumé.

3. Attend a recording session and produce a CD of your vocals and songs. Recording studios will charge you by the hour for studio time. You’ll need to record at least three songs for a good demo CD.

4. Make copies of an 8 x 10 photo featuring you (and your band, if applicable) singing. Professional photo duplicators such as ABC Pictures can produce great photos.

5. Audition for singing roles in local theater stage musicals and, if you desire, join your church choir. You can also audition in talent contests. Many clubs hold open microphone nights where amateur singers can compete in talent contests.

6. Prepare press kits. Kits should contain an 8 x 10 photo, news clippings, resumé, DVD of any of your performances, presentation folder, promotional materials and favorable reviews from print and video media.

7. Find a talent agent and submit your press kit by mail or via delivery. Although not required, you will be much busier with the assistance of a booking agency.

8. Locate record companies that you are interested in working with in the future. Call the record labels prior to submitting your demo package to make sure that they are accepting submissions. Most major record companies don’t accept outside submissions. “Songwriter’s Market” contains information about record labels and each company’s submission process as well as names of people with the record label who you should contact.

9. Submit your CDs and press kits to record producers and/or record labels. You should address your submission to the attention of the A & R Department of the record company.

10. Perform live as much as possible. Record company A & R representatives frequently go to clubs to scout and recruit new artists.

Tips & Warnings

• You will encounter many rejections in your career in the music business. You’ll need tough skin to survive in the music business.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Billboard magazine website