Written by Molly Tengwall
I must say I agree with Ella, one of the greatest jazz singers of all time. I find myself singing at all times of day, whether it’s humming along to music while I study or belting at the top of my lungs while I drive to work. If you are a singer like me, chances are you do this as well. Those are casual settings for singing when the music is heard only by me and not an audience. However, I use that time, and designated practice time, to refine and improve my vocal instrument. Here are a couple of ways you can get better at singing and finding your voice.
Listen critically to artists. We listen to music all the time, for entertainment, therapy, fun, and a whole list of other reasons. We don’t often spend those times listening closely to each song. So what do I mean by critically? Listen to your favorite artists, as well as those you don’t like as much, and identify characteristics of their voice. What do you like? What don’t you like? What makes their voice interesting and unique? That information can help inform how you experiment with your own voice.
Imitate and experiment with those characteristics in your own music. Trying new techniques, sounds, and qualities in your voice can help you discover how flexible the human voice is. By expanding your idea of what the voice is capable of, you are opening up doors for new singing experiences and sensations. To be clear, everyone’s voice has a unique sound and quality. That’s what makes singing so fun! We want you to find your best voice, not duplicate someone else’s. Imitation and experimentation simply open our eyes to new possibilities; they should not replace our unique sound.
