How to Sing Like a Pro

Have you always wanted to know how to sing? Are you always wondering how some people could belt out a tune while you can't? Or how tenors can wow a crowd with their powerful voices? Do your friends love teasing you during karaoke nights?

Like any talent, singing is a gift. However, it could also be learned through proper training and technique. In any kind of endeavor, it is first and foremost important for a person to have the will power for it.  Singing requires as much determination and want as well. Besides that, here are some other things that could help you become a singing sensation in no time:

The Mentor

To learn to sing, you need to look for mentors who could give feedback. Getting feedback is very important, especially for a performance art like singing. If you're serious about wanting to sing, then you gotta get yourself a voice coach. Simon Cowell is a good example of a coach who will tell you exactly where you are with your singing voice. While you gotta have faith in your talent, having a mentor is still important. Coaches have the expertise to tell you how much training you need based on your vocal range, the quality of your voice, and the accuracy of your tone.  The coach would guide you through as you formally start your singing training. Try looking for organizations or choirs with vocal trainings and practices. It would be great if you can sing with a group because it can make your learning more holistic.

Breathe

An important part of singing is breathing. Before a vocalizing exercise, you should do a bit of an exercise by putting your palm on your sternum—the bottom of the lungs; that area where the rib cages meet. For about a minute, observe how your lungs expand and contract as you breathe. Proper breathing is one of the most underrated yet most important skill that a singer should learn. That kind of training would help you learn to control your voice so you belt out properly and smoothly. Also, try holding your breath for as long as you could to check how you are with that skill. Remember, some songs would require you to pause or continously deliver the lines without abrupt pauses and taking in of breaths.

Know the notes

Doing your practices with the notes is best done with a group or a choir. It compels you to really listen to your voice and your tone. It can give feedback on areas of improvement. Because the mix of low notes to high notes require fast shifts and focus, there are drills dedicated to help the singer incorporate breathing while singing. You can also do it alone but it's more advisable to do it with a group of other people. Check your tones with a piano if you play one.  Press on the basic keys and imitate the piano's tone. To check how you're doing, increase and decrease your pitch every once in a while. You're on the right track if you hit the same notes that the piano produces with your voice.

Pronunciation

Singing is not only about rhythm and flow, but also about words.  Correct pronunciation of words on the lyrics enhance the craft of singing. Words are composed of successions of vowels between consonants so it's important that you practice vowel pronunciation at every pitch. We do have to take into account, though, that different peoples have different ways of pronouncing and singing.  But as much as possible, try to listen to how songs are sung, even in popular video websites and music videos. Modelling someone is one of the best ways to help you work on a song.

Knowing your voice, choosing songs

We have heard it a million times, and we will say it again here. Knowing what kind of song fits your voice means knowing what kind of voice you have. New singers usually choose songs that don't actually compliment their singing voice. Coaches or choirs can help you with this—trainings can give you an idea of the type of songs you coukd work on.  While fusion is the key nowadays, some songs just don't work on some voices.  Your voice might have improved but the song is just too bad. It's not only taste that matters in choosing a song. It's a way to display your vocal prowess. A voice has character too. A proper song would display your voice at its best.

Enjoy

A lot of guides tell you what to do and what not to do. People tend to forget to say, enjoy and don't be afraid to be passionate.  Singing is, first and foremost, expression. No matter how professional or amateur you sound, the important thing is that you enjoy what you do.  Practices need not be a chore and may be done in a million ways; like karaoke or singing in the shower.  Wherever you do it, you must enjoy singing since it is another way to free the soul. 

The key to learning how to sing is not just about knowing the technicalities of singing, breathing right, or reaching the right notes—it's about love and passion for expression, most of all.