The Journey to Becoming a Full-Time Singer: Personal Insights and Tips
Introduction
When I started my journey to become a full-time singer, I was far from gifted. However, through persistence, practice, and the right guidance, I managed to transform my voice and build the confidence needed to perform on stage. This article shares my personal insights and tips that might help aspiring singers navigate their path.
The First Steps
Like many aspiring singers, I was not naturally gifted. The process of improving my vocal technique took about a year. During this time, I took online classes, honed my confidence, and practiced regularly. My confidence in my voice skyrocketed when I decided to ignore what others thought of my singing abilities. It was a critical turning point that made a significant difference in my progress.
Online Classes and Resources
There are numerous online singing classes available, but they vary in quality. In my journey, I tried about five or six different classes, and I found one that stood out. This particular vocal coach teaches on Udemy, a platform known for affordable courses. You can often find these courses on sale for less than 10 dollars with lifetime access. His expertise in vocal pedagogy and anatomy has been invaluable. If you're serious about improving, investing in a quality online class could be extremely beneficial.
Key Elements of Voice Improvement
Several key elements are essential for singing improvement:
Confidence: Your belief in your voice is crucial. When you develop confidence, your performance naturally improves. Breathing: Proper breathing techniques allow you to control your voice and deliver powerful performances. Knowing the Song: Understanding the lyrics and melody is important, but so is the ability to express emotions through your voice. Practicing Regularly: Consistency is key in developing your vocal skills.Personal Transformation
It took me about two and a half years to perfect my technique. Initially, I was able to imitate melodies well and had a nice tone, but understanding vocal pedagogy and anatomy was more challenging.
One of the most significant hurdles was learning to drop my jaw and allow my mouth to create the right space. This took me 1.5 to 2 years to perfect. My motivation to gain control ultimately led to this improvement. Throughout this process, confidence played a huge role. Once I disregarded what others thought, my singing quality improved dramatically.
Listening and Learning to Listen
A key breakthrough in my vocal journey came from a renowned singer who advised me to 'listen' to songs before singing. I initially did not understand what he meant, but he explained that listening correctly involves accurately registering the sounds in the brain, which then directs the correct signals to the throat. This has been a major factor in my ability to reproduce songs faithfully.
Learning to listen properly took me almost three years before I felt ready to perform on a professional stage at the age of 15. For my students, it normally takes between six months to a year to train their ears, with some taking a few weeks and being considered 'naturals.' After mastering listening, the actual singing process, including breathing control, loudness, pitch correction, and voice projection, usually takes about a year or two for average students.
Conclusion
The path to becoming a full-time singer is not always easy, but with dedication, practice, and the right guidance, you can make significant progress. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills, the tips and insights shared here can help you on your journey.