Who do you think of when you think of the world’s greatest vocalists? Is it Whitney Houston?  Freddie Mercury? Luciano Pavarotti? Celine Dion? Every up and coming vocalist has their favourite. If you want to become a great singer too, you can get there – as long as you know what it takes. Here are some of the most important steps you’ll need to take if you want to become excellent at your craft.

Face your fears and cultivate courage

No-one has ever become a great singer without first facing their fears of putting themselves out there and singing for an audience. Cultivating the courage to do this is important because you’ll never be able to sing at your best unless you get rid of any fears that could be holding you back. It also takes courage to push yourself to belt out that note that’s a little bit past your usual range. It takes courage to experiment with new techniques and sounds. But those are the very things that will set you apart from the masses of singers who play it safe and are satisfied with merely being average.

Take the time to address your worries and remind yourself that they’re a normal part of any developing vocalist’s experience.

When it comes to performing in front of an audience, the phrase “go big or go home” definitely doesn’t apply. Start slowly by singing in front of an audience of one: your vocal instructor. This way you’ll have a supportive listener who’s on your side to help ease you into getting used to singing for an audience. Over the months that pass, as your skills improve and your confidence increases you can gradually work up to performing in front of larger groups. The courage to perform can be fragile, so ease into things little by little and you’ll see how much easier it gets.

Recognize the benefits of becoming a skilled vocalist

Anytime you’re working towards a goal, it’s important to remember your “why”. This provides the mental fuel you need to keep pushing yourself towards greatness. Here are some potential “why’s” to get you started:

  • it can a good way to get past any anxiety you feel about being in front of a crowd
  • it’s a fantastic outlet for creative expression
  • the rush of excitement and thrill of nailing a performance in front of a crowd is hard to beat
  • when you perform for an audience, you’re adding joy and happiness to their day
  • singing is a great way to release tension and lower the levels of stress hormones in your system

Record yourself

This is an important step for any aspiring singer because our voices sound so different when we play back a recording compared to what we hear from our own ears as we sing. Knowing how you sound to the ears of others (via the recording) is one of the keys to figuring out what you need to work on.

Get the right vocal instructor and practice

Very few people are able to learn to become a top notch singer on their own. If you want to become a great singer, it’ll be much easier if you have a good singing coach on your team. Look for someone with experience in the genre you want to sing. And be sure to set aside regular time for practice.

Becoming a great vocalist is worth it!

The pleasure and joy you’ll get from belting out a piece and nailing it is hard to match. Put in the time and effort now to cultivate the right mindset and improve your skills, and you’re sure to reap the benefits for years to come.

If you’re in Burlington visit Capstone Music and meet our vocalists or sign up for our singing lessons. Call today!