If you’re aspiring to be a great singer, there are lots of things you need to know. Singing is about much more than simply stringing notes together; it takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and technique. Here are 5 things you need to know to be a great singer:

Correct breathing is crucial

Sound cannot be produced without air, and in the same way, if there is too much air, then you could strain your vocal cords. Through correct breathing techniques, you will be able to not only produce sound in a healthy way, but also to sustain it better. To sing higher notes or longer phrases particularly, it is essential to know how to maintain the air in your lungs. By doing regular breathing exercises, you will improve this skill and learn how to control your breath.

Your tone is unique

Tone means the quality and sound of your own voice, and everyone’s voice is different. You might have a raspy tone, a clear and pure tone, or even a twangy one, but whatever you have, it is unique to you. When you recognise music artists in songs, it is because you are familiar with their tone. As tempted as you might be to try to imitate your favourite artists, learn to love and flaunt your own voice, and people will love your music because of it.

Learn to control your pitch

Pitch is basically getting the notes right without going sharp (a bit higher) or flat (a bit lower) than the notes you’re meant to be singing. The best way to learn to control your pitch is by practising and doing lots of vocal exercises. When performing, your pitch can easily be affected by emotions, but as long as you’re not constantly singing out of tune, don’t worry too much about it.

The ‘little things’ matter

There are certain aspects of singing that many don’t think about, such as vowel placement, phrasing, and dynamics. The way you pronounce the words you are singing and the way you string them together can make or break the song and the message you are trying to portray. When practising, record yourself, play it back, and see what you can change to improve the quality of the song – breathing in different places, elongating the vowel sounds, raising and lowering your volume – you’d be surprised at how different things sound in your head sometimes.

Never underestimate yourself

If there’s a note in a song that you’ve never tried before, try it. Never tell yourself that you can’t do something. Instead, believe that you can do anything you want, and try everything out and see what works. Feel free to keep trying, as long as you don’t strain your voice or feel any pain. When it comes to singing, it’s best to have a professional guiding you as it can be hard to realise when you’re causing damage.

If you’re looking to start singing lessons, get in touch with the School of Popular Music in Guernsey to find out about the classes and individual lessons we offer.

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