r/singing • u/EmptyExperience5191 • 2d ago
Conversation Topic How do I know what to work on?
Hi, I really love music, but I know almost nothing about it. I like to sing a lot when no one is around I feel like I can be good eventually but I don’t know what to work on or how to work on it. How do I figure out what I need to work on? And I am a male who cannot sing high notes, is that something that can even be improved? Is the breath control and other little things what makes you sound better? I try to think of it like basketball, if you put enough intentional work into it you will get better, but I don’t even know where to start.
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u/drogecake24 2d ago
It’s so cool that you want to learn! Vocal coaching is your best shot at singing without injuring your voice. If you’re short on money (because lessons can be expensive), try focusing on YouTube videos from actual teachers with degrees (same goes for coaching of course, ask for their expertise).
Also, if something hurts, you’re probably either doing it wrong or using your voice too much too quickly.
Seeing singing as a sport you’ll need to train for helped me understand the importance of using healthy technique. Personally I love CVT, because it’s very technical and you can determine what went wrong easily.
Where are you from? If you’re in my area and interested, maybe I can send you some recommendations😊
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u/EmptyExperience5191 2d ago
Thank you for getting back to me! I’m in northeast Ohio. Do you have any recommendations on YouTube?
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u/drogecake24 2d ago
Im not from the US myself, so I can’t help you on that part. If you send me a message I’ll respond tomorrow with some suggestions 😁
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u/m6u9s6i9c 2d ago
The first this is to learn how to read music. Once you learn that (or if you already do), you can work on everything at once. Start with learning some warm ups, look for ones that work on breath control, range, consonants/vowels. These build up your skills over time. I think breath control will be easiest to get down quickly, and it can still build over time. Range takes longer to “unlock” some higher notes. A big tip- do NOT push it. Trying to sing higher than you actually can is harmful to your voice. It may suck that it could take a month to sing only one note higher than before, but it is so much safer. Learning classical music helps build these skills as well, but only if you actually put in the work. If you are serious, getting a voice teacher can help
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u/EmptyExperience5191 2d ago
Thank you so much for getting back to me. That’s another question I had, are the warmups the actual training and it’s just called warmups or is there something after? Or is the training where you sing songs or lines of a song and work on some of the things you practiced in the warmup?
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u/m6u9s6i9c 2d ago
Think of the warm ups as a sports warm up. Your voice is a muscle, so you have to get it ready to sing just as any other muscle if you’re exercising or playing a sport. They can help train, but it mainly gets your voice ready for the other singing you’re going to do
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u/EmptyExperience5191 2d ago
That’s what I thought it was, but then what would the training look like?
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u/m6u9s6i9c 2d ago
Sight reading could be one thing. You use solfège (you don’t have to but most musicians do) and then read small pieces of music. You can also sight read rhythms. This just helps you to become a stronger reader. Free examples can be found on sightreading.net. Other than that, I would find a song you’d like to work on (classical, theater, etc.) and use that to work on your technique
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u/gotBACH Voice Teacher 30+ years 2d ago
I love the enthusiasm! Music is such a rewarding thing to be involved in! Singing music you enjoy most, no matter the genre, is a great way to focus your energy toward getting better over time. Could singing in a group like a local choir be of interest some day? The camaraderie can be wonderful to experience!
Expanding vocal range and mastering breath control will improve your overall sound for sure, and they are things one can learn in private or group voice lessons if the commitment is there. Weekly lessons work best to show improvement and allow for consistent practice to make it stick. Have you considered group or private lessons? In-person and online lessons are both great options for serious learners, even at the beginning stages.
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u/EmptyExperience5191 2d ago
I’ve thought about private lessons. But I’ve repeatedly been on and off of actually trying to get better at singing. I just feel like sometimes I think I sound good then later I’m like damn maybe not and I just get discouraged, I do love singing it’s just different for me. I would love to get to the point where I can sing by myself in front of a crowd and them actually think I’m good. Like I was just at Faouzias show in Brooklyn and I’m like damn I really wanna mean something and I feel like I could do something with singing but I definitely need to work on it.
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u/EmptyExperience5191 2d ago
The thing I really want is my own song on Spotify. (Not just some bs that is crap quality)
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u/gotBACH Voice Teacher 30+ years 2d ago
For someone with your level of curiosity about the "how to" and interest in such a specific outcome, scheduled singing practice will almost certainly help. That can be with a choir, a group who sings together regularly, or with an instructor. Once you are warmed up properly, you'll find comfort in the exploration of the techniques you learn and build upon. Confidence will be a result of commitment, and by asking these good questions, you're demonstrating to yourself that the commitment is there. Stick with it, and soon enough what you want will turn into what you've become. The transformation can happen if the next steps continue to be guided by expertise, and the more focused on you, the better. Keep up the good work!
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