Effective Singing Practice: Tips for Success and Enjoyment

I heard a story once about a virtuoso pianist with an illustrious career behind him who was asked why he continues to practise even in his 80th year, he responded with "because I think I'm improving". Everyone can get better at singing with practise. Yes, everyone. Here are some suggestions to the most out of your sessions.   

Set Clear Goals

 Decide what you want to achieve with your singing. I find it useful to have long term, short term goals, and specific goals for each practise session. It might be learning the melody of a new song, memorising the lyrics, or working on the articulation, pitch, rhythms or legato lines.  Having a goal keeps you focused and helps you take those baby steps to continue progressing. The right teacher can help guide your home practise, and assist you to intigrate practise and learning strategies. 

Consistency is key

Consistency is key when it comes to improving your singing, and the best part is, you don't need to dedicate hours each day to see progress! Singing for just 15-30 minutes every day is a great place to start, and you will soon see your singing improve.  It’s all about building a habit. By practicing regularly, you're reinforcing good technique and muscle memory, which makes it easier to improve over time. Plus, shorter, more consistent sessions help you catch any tricky spots early on.

Avoid distractions

Try to find a quiet space, and set aside time to focus on practise. You will be amazed by how much further you progress if you can maintain your attention on what you're doing.  Even if its just for fifteen minutes ,  close down your screens, put your phone in flight mode and tune in to your voice!

Record Your Practice

Recording your practice sessions can be very helpful. It allows you to hear your progress and identify areas for improvement. The sound we hear in our heads while we are singing is different to the sound we hear when we are not singing. That's because when we are singing we are getting many vibrations of muscle and bone which impacts the sound. You will get a better idea of how you sound if you listen to yourself when you're not singing. 

When you listen back to the recording. Focus on what you need to improve on but also on what you think you do well! It's important to understand our strengths and build on them!

Have fun!

Most importantly, enjoy your singing! When you’re having fun, you’re more likely to experiment, and push yourself without stressing over perfection. Plus, letting loose and having a good time helps you connect with your voice on a deeper level. If something you are trying to do isn't working, take a break  and come back to it later. 

Seek Guidance

Consider working with a voice coach. A coach can provide personalised feedback and help you reach your goals faster.

They can also introduce new techniques and exercises to keep your practice fresh and exciting.

With dedication and the right approach, singing practice can be both effective and enjoyable. Keep these tips in mind and let your voice shine.