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How to Become a Singer and What You Can Do Today to Make it Happen

So, here's the main problem

When people decide they want to become a singer is that they simply don't know what to do next. Even if you have the talent to be the next big star, getting noticed by a record company, or anyone in the music industry can be tough! Many wanna-be singers don't have the 'inside information', or contacts that are needed to 'make it big' in the music industry even though they know they have the talent to go all the way!

Don't let your dreams pass you by

Most people sadly let their dreams of stardom pass them by without ever doing anything positive or constructive in order to achieve their goals and end up regretting later in life! It's so easy to get caught up in the corporate '9 to 5' grind that dominates the modern world and miss out on doing what you really want to do. If you truly want to be a singer, believe in yourself and make that promise to yourself now that you will go for it. You will need to take positive steps, and the first positive step I want you to make is to read this entire article. I promise you won't regret it!

First, I want to examine the top 3 ways in which many talented (and some not so talented) people, try, and fail to get noticed every year...

American Idol / X-Factor...

There can be only one American Idol / X-factor winner every year, and there are only a few people who have ever had a career longer than 1 year even after winning the competition. The person who came second is instantly forgotten. So if you are serious about a career in the music industry then you won't want to rely on TV competitions to be your only way of getting noticed.

Demos that just get thrown away...

You can always send of stacks of demos to record companies and other people in the industry, but since everyone’s personal computer is capable of producing a 'demo' these days there is no real value in a demo these days. How is your demo going to stand out from the pile that these companies receive every single day? The reality is that most demos go straight in the bin when they haven't even been listened to! Is it really worth spending lots of money on recording your demo when very few people will listen to it?

Auditions where you don't get a chance to show your talent...

You could always go to auditions, however you are rarely given an opportunity to showcase your talent, as a judgement is made about your looks as soon as you walk in the door. Even if you are clearly the most talented singer on the day, if your look isn't exactly what they are looking then you will be unsuccessful. These endless chain of auditions can get pretty disheartening after a while, and if you don't live near a major city (and I mean New York, London or Los Angeles), it can get pretty costly to attend these auditions.

The thing is that record companies ARE always looking for the next big artist to come along, as this means lots of money for you and for them.

The problem is how do you get out there and get noticed...?

Imagine this...

You come off stage one evening, and one of the audience comes up to you and says, "Hi, my brother works as a manager for "some famous band" and he's always telling me to look out for new acts that he might be able to manage. When I heard you start singing I just knew I had to tell him about you, so I phoned him up and let him listen to you sing, and he's asked me to give you his number, can you call him tomorrow?"

So you gladly accept this number and call this guys brother up. You arrange to send off the demo you recorded a few weeks earlier when a couple of musicians who had seen you performing wrote some songs for you because they thought you were great! Your demo is now not getting thrown in the bin at the record company, but being passed around the bosses who want to see you perform.

You then get invited to perform for these record company bosses, and because you're an experienced and confident performer, you give the show of your life and before you know it you have a record contract.

It's all about making contacts...

Ok, so you're probably thinking 'that all sounds a bit too easy' or 'but surely it doesn't happen like that in the real world'. Well, I’m 24 years old, and I’ve been a professional solo singer since I was 20, and I’m currently in negotiations with a company regarding my first album release. I've been offered three record deals in the past however I've ultimately turned them down due to artistic differences. However, all the contacts I’ve made over the last 4 years have come from being out there performing. I've met other singers, songwriters, agents, managers and like in the example I’ve used above, family members of major recording industry managers.

Now you can choose one of three paths...

  1. You can do nothing about your dream, and look back in 20 years and ask yourself why you didn't go for it when you had the opportunity!

  2. You can take your chance applying for TV shows, attending auditions and sending off demos. But you know the reasons why these methods rarely work, even for the most talented singers.

  3. You can put yourself out there on stage and perform, get yourself noticed, build up your contacts in the industry and make things happen for yourself.

Get out there and people WILL listen to you!

So I really hope you've gone for 3. Now make the decision to make it happen! What is stopping you?

  • 'I can't just give up work, I need the money?' - Of course you shouldn't give up work. You can sing as much as your voice can handle or as little as you need to to fulfil other commitments you have! Oh, and you'll probably find the extra cash handy too!

  • I'm still at school, aren't I too young?' - No way! School is a great place to do musical stuff. It'll be really easy to get a band together and there will be plenty of places that you can play!

  • There are loads of ways to get yourself out there and work as a singer, I started out doing just a couple of gigs a month while I was working during the day, although after 3 months I was earning nearly twice as much from singing as I was from my day job, so I quit! Now, I spend my Monday mornings having a nice long lie in, rather than stuck in traffic!

People LOVE musical entertainment, here are just a few examples of place you can play!

  • Bars
  • Hotels
  • Casinos
  • Corporate Events
  • Weddings, Birthdays and other private parties
  • Live Entertainment Venues

The list goes on...

There are also endless possibilities when it comes to your act...

  • A Solo Singer
  • Part of a Duo
  • Vocal Group
  • Full Backing Band

You are really only limited by your imagination...

There is ALWAYS work out there for good singers!

The thing is that there are lots of people who are very average singers out there who earn a good amount of cash from singing like this...and the people who pay these people are fed up of paying for average singers and are willing and eager to pay great money to hire great singers like you!

There are loads of ways to get out there and make money but there is more to it than just going into your local live music venue and asking to sing! In the box below I'll be looking at some of the things you'll need to have thought about before you head out there on stage!

Here are some things you'll need to consider...

  • Will you be a solo singer or a band? - It can be easier starting out as part of a band, but being a soloist also has some major advantages? Of course you can always do both!!
  • What kind of music will you sing? - You can pretty much sing whatever type of music you want. But you'll need to think about what type of music your audience will want to hear!
  • Your first gig - an exciting and nerve-wracking occasion...and you'll want to make it go right, how will you go about this?
  • What kind of equipment will you need and how will you use it? - At a very basic level you need to know a bit about microphones and what is the right way to sing through a microphone...its very different to singing without one!!!
  • How will you put your set together? - You can just go out there and sing your songs in a random order, but you'll stun audiences if you take the time and put it together properly!
  • How will you find work? - You'll want to find an agent, and there are agents out there who will want you on their book, trust me!
  • What venues will you be working in? - As a singer you will need to approach different venues slightly differently.

So there you go...just a few things to think about. Of course there are other things, rehearsals, what to wear, promotional photographs etc...

Unfortunately, most people just go out there and don't even think about half the stuff that I've talked about, and end up giving pretty bad, poorly presented shows. Trust me, I often work with other singers and the vast majority of them are simply not very good! These singers quickly get themselves a bad reputation, get fewer gigs, and less money as a result. It's a real shame when people who have great voices and fantastic potential fail to think about these easy to avoid problems, and basically destroy their singing careers before they even start!

Of course this can all be avoided!

In my spare time I work as a vocal coach, and I often get asked by my students how to go about starting a career in singing. I decided to write a series of articles. These proved very popular, and so I decided to expand them, add some new chapters and turn them into a website. So check out www.becomeasinger.net

Thanks for reading,

Gemma King

Gemma King

Gemma King is a professional singer who writes about singing on her website becomeasinger.net

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1. Bria Perkins (23:40, 22.06.2009)
my name is bria elesia perkins.i am 16 years old from new orleans,louisiana.people tell me all the time that i wont ever become a superstar.but I WILL prove them wrong.i've faced plenty of tough obstacles in my life.i know i have what it take because im determined to do whatever it is that needs to be done.i dont just want money,i want the life.i want people to hear my story and see as long as YOU believe yu can achieve.i need this,i want this,and i believe this!i only want help.if your a good person,in your heart you'll help me.i deserve it;i deserve a chance just like you got a chance.
+1
2. dichelle dotson (23:16, 20.07.2008)
hi my name is dichelle, and i want to be a singer i am 14 yrs old and i really want to pursue my dream so can u help me i can really sing so plz... give me some feed back thanks...
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3. aerial 10 (23:13, 25.01.2009)
hi im aerial Ive always wanted to become a singer. sometimes i think to my self that i cant let my dream pass me by, but i think i am. Ive been singing since i was 1 and nothing happens. my class wants me to sing but i only sing in front of my family. i cant let this dream slip by. its my chance and i don't want to blow it away. please help me before time runs out i don't wanna be lost in my dream
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4. Nisa (23:00, 07.08.2008)
Hi! My name is Nisa... I'm 12 yars old but I'm turning 13 really soon. I've been singing ever since I was 6 years old! My family and friends think I can sing really good and they say that to me like everyday. One of my friends think that I should become a singer. So I've been thinking if I should or not so I asked my family and other friends if I should become a singer. And they all said "Yes". And of course I've always wanted to become a singer since 4 or 5 years old. So can you try to help me to become a singer or something? Its my dream to be a really good singer and I don't really now how to do become one. Plz e-mail me or something!
+1
5. Abney (22:22, 15.11.2008)
Hi my name is Abney and i am 15 years old and I love music. Well i write music and sing, just almost everything! Well anyways what people don't realize is that I'm in a wheelchair so it's kinda hard to dream about my music. This article has helped me so much over setting my goals! I just wanted to say thank you so much and that this has helped me so much! I hope anybody out there will realize to make their dreams come true and not sit there whem their 58 years old saying i wish i could be that person singing. I hope thats not going be me espicially! Well thanks again!bye!
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6. NANA (22:13, 10.03.2009)
What If your Like 14 ? I know my parents wouldn't let me go to a bar or club or hotel :(?????
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7. kay-k (21:52, 04.03.2009)
how can i be a singer, if my friends are alway talling me i am not going to be a singer but i belive i can be if only some one was there for me.
0
8. Hannah Deans (21:37, 11.05.2009)
Hey~!
my names Hannah
I'm 16 years old and i'v been singing since before i can remember i used to sing in the bathroom or stand on my bed pretending i had an audience ^^, Its all i'v wanted to do my whole entire life and i'm tired of just pretending~! i'v only been going to singing lessons for about 5 or 6 weeks and i have this problem where i sing to quiet~!! and i really want to try but i'm scared i'm going to fail~!, i start piano in about 3 weeks and i'm starting a drama and music group after the Summer~! to help me get used to performing on stage~! there are very few people who believe i can do it~! but those people don't understand that music is my first love and i'v never done anything about it before because i was to scared i was going to fail~!I'm fed up of thinking that its never going to happen because in my opinion if this doesn't happen for me life is worthless~! i really need your help~!
I'm so glad i found this article~!
thanks again~!!
i hope you can reply soon~!!!!
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9. dominique (20:39, 29.12.2008)
omg! i love to sing this is my dream to be big 1 day like my idol, this artical really inspire me alot and i hope it canhelp me too stay positive and go for my dreams! and be confident!!!!!!
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10. ceona (20:23, 10.02.2009)
hey my name is ceona marii allstine i love to sing i enjoy singing for my friends an family like on christmas an othere holidays i really really wants to be a singer my friends say i sound like rihanna alot of people tell me that an aint that a good thing lol but i will tell u a lil about me im 15 i love hangin out with my friend an i love to make new friends an i like goin to the movies an all kinds of places an its just the mane thing i love doin is singing an thats all i want to do is sing so plz get back at me an plz help me become a singer an make my dream an only dream come true
+1
11. sophie (20:17, 29.09.2008)
hey again i like to sing right but i dont have a band how do i become famouse now?:(:(:(:(:(
+1
12. sophie (20:04, 29.09.2008)
Hey Adding on to wht i said i sing in my bedroom wth my kareoke and microphone but want to improove my singing as well im fed up with singing in my bedroom to my posters just thinking tht they are my audience and i still get nervous i need your help more than anything if you could make ym dream come true i would love tht if there was a way id send a vid of me singing if you wish
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13. sophie (20:01, 29.09.2008)
hey im sophie and im 11 ive been singing for ages and i want to go sing in bars and stuff but i dont have a band ive only got myself and where do i find record companies plz help i need this soo much:( im still singing tho
0
14. arij (19:40, 20.02.2009)
if anyone can give me music-voice-singing-songwriting lessons, i'll be really thankfull. my email is: love_song2020@rocketmail.com
0
15. shetema bailey (18:51, 21.04.2009)
i would love to be a singer please contact me at my email shetema@hotmail.com thank u
0
16. Briana (18:16, 04.03.2009)
Thank You so much This article was great!!!!!!
0
17. sydney (17:35, 11.11.2008)
hi my name is sydney im 12 years old and apparintly im a really good singer but i dont have the curidge to go on x facter or brightns got talent but i sing in front off people i dont no (makes sence (not) iv always wanted to be 1 ) pleas help i right my own songes i have 8 songs iv done
0
18. michelle furru (17:31, 01.12.2008)
Hello my name is michelle. I'm 17 years old and well my dream in life is to become a singer but i am also interested in modeling so should I become a model first before a singer would that improve my chances in becoming a successful singer one day? I'm sorry I seem to be the oldest one here maybe I should check somewhere else.
0
19. monica webster (17:07, 19.02.2009)
i always wanted to become a singer when my family heard me singing in my room and they said that i need to become a singer and ever since then i been wanted to start singing so i need help in trying to get stated and what i need to start doing
0
20. Chan Vang (17:06, 05.03.2009)
I really want to became a singer since 10.,And now i wish i would have a chance to become one. thanks!
0
21. mckenna (16:58, 25.05.2009)
hi HELP ME achieve my goals i want to become a singer and i will sing for you ONLY if you email me (:
0
22. taron george (13:45, 17.03.2009)
hi there i am new in the room i also have a amazing vioce that need 2 be heard



regards taron george
+1
23. Vannah (13:05, 24.11.2008)
i am 14 and always wanted to be a singer! i have been in show choir 3 years now and i been in singing school since a was able to talk and in church choir. My desire is to be a singer and this acticle really inspired me to not get my hopes up! i hope to live that dream one day! i write songs and love to do that! i practice my singing 3 to 4 hours a day and sometimes all day! i sing where ever i go! and every saturday night they have a Sing up the road from my house and we go and sing for them. Please help me live my dream! i will work extra hard at it! The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus ,and Demi Lovato is some of my favorite singers and they are real role models to me and inpire me so much! and i hope to meet them one day! And Become A SINGER! HELP ME LIVE MY DREAM! PPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0
24. fatima (11:14, 23.06.2009)
hey my name is fatima n im total mad abut singin i strted to sing at the age of 7 every1 tels me to go on x-factor or brtan gt talent but i rather perfer bei prodcted by a producter i want to become a singer but dont know what to do help plz ...
0
25. Likhith (10:48, 22.03.2009)
Thanx man
u r really great
first i lost all my hope of singing coz when i sing my voice doesnt semm good at all but i do know my voice is way cooler.well like u said without a microphone it seems really different.I thank u again for raising my hopes for singing.
0
26. lil antea (09:26, 18.09.2008)
me i really wanna be a singer since am seven i sang in my bathroom so help me plzzzzzzzzz send me a message on my email adresse if you want plzzz help me i cry your help
-1
27. marian (06:26, 31.07.2008)
Hello. I would love to sing for some professional so I can start my singing career now. Please email me.
+1
28. ebony (04:26, 01.12.2008)
CAN BE A SINGER AT THE AGE 11
+2
29. heyoooo (03:33, 04.03.2009)
So i've always wanted to be a singer, yeah, and everybody tells me to try out for american idol but i am [only] 12!!! I REALLY want to become a singer, and my aunt knows a guy that has a recording studio, but my mom thinks that it is too "expensive" but I REALLY want to do it. I've always wanted this... it's all that I can think about doing... My teachers at school find me day-dreaming about being a singer, but they tell me to get my mind off of it... I CAN'T!!!!! How do I become noticed...??????? My goal in life is to become a singer, and if I don't fulfull my goal... well, let's just say... nvm. PLEASE HELP ME BECOME NOTICED!!!!!
+1
30. Deserae Thayer (01:56, 06.08.2008)
I am 13 years old and i havebeen singing since i was like 4 or 5 years old.I love to sing and i dont live in a very big city.I dont live by any close places that Will start you off to something.I was just wondering if there is a way that somone or something will help me make my dreams come true.
+1
31. Jessica (01:48, 10.02.2009)
Hello.
Im Jessica, I love to sing, Its my Favorite Thing to Do, I\'ve singed for shows, my school, churches, and many more.
I sing really good.
People say, i have talent, and it is amazing.
So, The main reason im here is because, i\'ve always been dreaming of becoming a singer, its my dream, and i\'d like to acheive it, and make things work out, and i believe you can help me. I\'ll put my trust in your hands.
Thanks for reading.
Love, Jess.
+1
32. Caitlyn (01:37, 19.01.2009)
i am 9 and i am almost 10 can i be a singer
0
33. vinny blankenship (01:37, 05.07.2009)
i wanna make music and become a big star because i wanna show the world what talent is and take it back to the basics i play a fender twelve string and sing like indie style music i know that i am good i just have trounle with the noteriety part. i can do it
mostly i want my girlfriend to know how much i care about her and have her know that the world knows. i am 18 and i will make it, but speaking of contacts how can i get a hold of you ?
you seem like you have alot of contacts and you seem to be the best place to start.
but anyways thank you for the speach you wrote
it was quite motivational. =]
get a hold of me on my gmail if you read this.
vinny23087@gmail.com
+1
34. Pamela Christine Magnaye (00:35, 05.02.2009)
I'm turning 14 in May...and i've always wanted to be a singer since i was a kid... but i cant just find any singing opportunities anywhere??? what do i do? should i just give up???
0
35. rejina (00:10, 18.11.2008)
i love your article
it really helps me noticing things that i didnt notice thanks alot i really appriciate

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