How to get started with singing

Many people would love to learn how to sing, but sadly, a lot of us assume we can’t do it or that it’s a talent rather than a skill. Sure, some people are more musically talented than others, but the truth is everyone can learn to sing! So, if you’ve always wanted to tap into your beautiful singing voice (which all of us have) but you don’t know where to start, this article is for you. Here we will explain exactly how to get started with singing, both mentally and physically.

How to Get Started with Singing: Your Mindset

A good mindset is so important for everything you do, and singing is no exception! It’s your mindset that will help you get started with singing lessons for adults and ensure you have the confidence to persevere and keep going. No one succeeds immediately when learning something new, so it’s crucial that you don’t put pressure on yourself and, instead, embrace the process.

Give yourself the freedom to fail, explore your voice and learn something new about yourself!

Avoid Comparison

As you continue your lessons, don’t forget to acknowledge and congratulate yourself for how far you’ve come. Remember that everyone’s voice and singing journey is unique, just like we are. Our bodies are our instruments, so singing needs a very personal approach to help bring out the best in you. It’s natural for us to compare our singing to someone else’s voice, but this is about you, not someone else. The distinct tone that makes us latch on to another singer’s voice is something that you have too. Embracing the qualities of your voice instead of trying to sound like others is exactly what will make you stand out!

Planning

You may choose to have singing lessons for adults to support your singing journey, but what you do in between your sessions is where the real progress happens. So, it’s important that you set aside some time to really develop your voice. We know from experience of working with adult singers that this can sometimes be tricky – there are so many other commitments like studying, work and family life, that adding something else to your day seems impossible. But there’s no need to put that pressure on yourself!

Try to fit in at least 30 minutes of practice every day, which can be easily substituted for that half hour of TV or browsing social media we often do without realising. This will ensure you are keeping your voice active consistently, without making your practice sessions a difficult and time-consuming task. In addition, finding a space where you feel comfortable enough to practice will ensure you stick to your practice routine.

How to Get Started with Singing: Using Your Voice

Now we get to the exciting part, which is developing your voice and musicality! While there are countless online tutorials and courses, we would recommend booking a lesson with a qualified vocal coach. Why is this important? Our bodies are our instruments, so learning to use them properly is crucial to avoid developing bad habits and even vocal injury. Your vocal coach will be able to properly assess your voice, identify your range, show you the correct breathing techniques and give you exercises to develop your tone, range and pitch in a healthy way.

How often you should have singing lessons for adults totally depends on you, your budget and preference. You may feel you need a little ‘check-in’ fortnightly and are quite confident in working on your singing on your own the rest of the time. Or, you may find you need that extra support from your singing teacher a couple times a week, especially as you get started with singing.

Your Posture

We are used to slouching at our office desks and laptops, but it’s time to ditch that as you are learning to sing! Some people feel more comfortable standing up and it is encouraged, but even if you do prefer to sit down, it’s important you are keeping your back straight and shoulders relaxed as you sing. If you’re standing, your knees should be shoulder-width apart and you should avoid locking them. Overall, aim for a confident, relaxed stance – not only will this help with concentration and airflow through your body, it will also increase your confidence too.

Your Breathing

Proper breathing is the foundation of a strong singing voice, so it’s one of the first things you will learn with your singing coach. As you breathe in, your belly should expand, and your chest should stay as still as possible. Many of us associate breathing in with sucking in our stomachs, but it’s actually the other way around. It’s when you breathe out that your stomach should flatten. Another important tip is to avoid raising your shoulders while you sing. Don’t worry if all of this feels weird at the start – your breathing will become second nature as you continue.

Your Pitch

Oh yes, the thing that makes most of us think we are tone deaf! Your pitch is important to ensure you sing in tune, but how do you develop it? Well, for those of us with a musical background this might come a bit easier, but everyone can learn to perfect their pitch. Some of the exercises you can try is singing through your range, focusing on getting every single note just right. You can also try pitch sweeps, where you start on one note and slide all the way to the same note an octave above or below. Singing scales is also a fantastic exercise for your pitch and also playing along the melody of the song you’re singing will help you find the pitch easier. This leads us nicely onto…

Your Musicality

The great thing about singing lessons for adults is that you don’t need to play an instrument to learn to sing! You already have everything you need to make music. Having said that, developing a bit of musicality will really help you on your journey. Specifically, learning some basic piano will help you practice your pitch and exercises at home, being able to alter them to suit you instead of relying on pre-recorded materials. Understanding a bit of music theory and learning to read sheet music will also make it easier for you to analyse musical pieces. If all of this seems like a lot to take in, don’t worry – you don’t have to do all of it right from the start.

A great way to develop your musicality is to simply listen critically to the pieces you enjoy or want to learn. How is the singer using their dynamic range, i.e., singing louder and softer? How does the arrangement and all other instruments fit into the piece? What techniques can you pick up on? Maybe some interesting nuances on timing and enunciation? Can you work out the harmonies? Starting to develop a critical ear will help you apply it to your own singing.

Want to Know More? Book Lessons with Us!

We hope you enjoyed this article on how to get started with singing. Of course, there is so much more to it and we can’t wait for you to discover it all when you start your singing journey!

At London Singing Institute, we offer a personalised approach to our singing lessons for adults, no matter the style of music you prefer. Our expert coaches will help you tap into your unique voice and develop it in the way you’ve always wanted to sing. Why not book your first lesson with us and see what we’re about!

We can teach in our beautiful central London premises in Fleet Street or online, from the comfort of your own home.