How to Become a Singer
Four Steps to Becoming a Professional Singer and Living Your Dream
How do you ‘make it’ as a singer?
Ah this my friends is the million dollar question and one that I get asked frequently by singers from all over the globe. I’m constantly asked things like:
- I want to be a professional singer, where do I start?
- What does it take to become a full time singer?
- How do I make singing into my career?
- I want to be a famous singer, tell me how to do it!
Today I have three fun and easy strategies for you, to help you create a niche and stand out from other singers in your local market or within your musical genre.
Your niche can make the difference between being ‘just another jazz singer’ to becoming a sensation, so I know you’ll find this video useful.
Enjoy and let me know in the comments below, which of the three strategies you think you may try first!
Nicola x
Three strategies to finding your niche as a singer:
1. Specialise in one area of your genre
Rather that ‘just singing jazz’, specialise in one specific area of the genre instead. I get a lot of work for ‘Great Gatsby’ parties because I focus on 1920’s style music. You could do ‘New Orleans 1920’s Swing with a tuba rather than bass’ or Gritty Rock and Roll swing for example.
You could cater specifically for swing dancers and do swing dance tempo songs from the 1930’s/40’s. You could do electroswing, or be a bluesy/ jazz singer people would book for a sultry night of low key saucy songs. You could do more cabaret style jazz and sing songs with constumers or get together with a Burlesque act. There are loads of ways to dig deep and make one specific area of your musical genre into ‘the thing you’re known for’.
2. Go original
Do you love to write your own songs? Then do that instead! This is how I made a name for myself in my local area. I’m known more for my big 8 piece original band and our upbeat style of 1920’s fusion than anything else.
Sure I still do some ‘Great American Songbook’ style jazz cover gigs, but I get paid a LOT more to do the original stuff.
3. Use branding
The power of branding my friends! You could be different through your branding alone. For example, instead of being ‘another sultry jazz singer in a gown’, be a gothic eerie vampire-esque jazz singer and pick darker songs to sing or do cool arrangements of songs and change the lyrics to be darker/ add some distortion guitar instead of jazz guitar.
The ideas are limitless (and sooo fun!)
Did you like this video?
If you did, let me know in the comments below, which of the three strategies you think you may try first!
Nicola xx
Try these tutorials next!
Stage Performance Tips for Singers
10 killer stage performance tips for singers. How to look confident, interact with the audience and lead your band in a professional way.
Tone Deaf Test For Singers
How do you know if you are tone deaf? Take this quick test and find out! This is specifically for singers.
Nicola, thank you so much for ALL your video’s and emails. You are the essence of what music and musicians are all about…..sharing. That is why I love music, both playing and singing. My last mile stone and my first was to perform at a local Assisted living facility. Needless to say I was very nervous, but have been back there 4 more times. I really do need to work on my stage performance though. Any tips you can give would be greatly appreciated. I just started this singing part of my music when I retired back in 2012, and I just love it. I only wish I had started earlier, but better late than never right? Thanks again for all you do for us out here, and yes your right, the world has become much smaller and because it has we have been able to connect with beautiful people like yourself. Here’s to a great performance….. Billy
You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear you are still doing well with your performances. I remember you saying doing more shows at these facilities was a goal of yours so its awesome to see that you are sticking to it!
Thanks alot as i pass through your tips as much i get superior.this gives basis for my liberation in life.