How to Become a Jazz Singer
Fulfilling your dream of becoming a jazz singer--or any type of professional musician--can seem daunting, but it’s important to remember that perseverance is a big part of the magic formula that brings artists to the limelight. Only you can decide what level you want to achieve. Maybe your dream is to be an international star singing to sold-out audiences every night. Or maybe you just want to ensure that performing the music you love is part of your life, even if it’s only in the local pubs. The most important thing to remember is that putting time, effort and work into your dream is the only way to make it come true.
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Instructions
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Attain knowledge and skill. If you have a desire to become a jazz singer, you’ve probably already spent hours listening to jazz and blues music. If you haven’t already had classical training or voice lessons, that can be a great place to start on the path to your dream. Look into the possibility of attending a performing arts high school or studying music in college. Find out if private voice instructors are available in your area. Sign up for the chorus at your public high school or join the church choir. Take advantage of every opportunity to be near others who love music and have knowledge to share. If none of these opportunities are available, find a book on voice training and start a practice of breathing exercises and scales on your own (see Resources below).
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Study music. This will provide you with a network of other musicians and music lovers. You may want to form a band with others as a way to make this a team effort and keep you accountable to regular practice time. Seek out a mentor who can guide you through the ropes of a musical career. This person should be someone who is encouraging, supportive and positive.
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Get out there. Look for opportunities to perform and showcase your abilities. Participate in open mic nights at local coffee shops and pubs. Enter contests. Create a MySpace music profile. Volunteer to sing at local charity events and rallies for special causes. You don’t have to wait for someone to ask you to perform--be proactive and ask if you can perform. If this is hard for you, take a deep breath and do it anyway–you will be honing the confidence you’ll need to perform on stage.
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Make a demo, even if you have to record it yourself. With current computer technology, you can produce a professional-quality recording in your bedroom.
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Use your demo to begin booking gigs. Take it to every restaurant, piano bar, pub, club and coffee shop in the area. Jazz music is a very versatile genre and suitable for all kinds of occasions. Find out if there are wedding coordinators in your area and take them your demo. Have an artistic friend help create a poster to promote any bookings you line up. Recruit a group of friends to plaster every phone pole and bulletin board in the area with the posters.
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Keep at it. Never give up. It takes years of behind the scenes work for every artist to “make it.” Every performance is a chance to build confidence, practice your stage presence, and develop your style.
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Tips & Warnings
If you live in an area that doesn’t have much to offer in the way of pubs, bars, coffee shops or performance halls, you may need to consider the possibility of moving to a more urban area. You don’t have to move to New York City or LA to make a go of your music career, but you do have to be in a place where live music is appreciated. And the added bonus of being inspired by others and surrounded by a network of like-minded people may be just what you need to keep going.
Keep at it. Never give up. It takes years of behind the scenes work for every artist to “make it.” Every performance is a chance to build confidence, practice your stage presence, and develop your style.
