Stormzy, Hannah Waddingham, Dua Lipa, and the loud man from the GoCompare adverts are all professional singers, and very successful in their different styles. The UK is known for its singing talent, and there are lots of opportunities for aspiring vocalists. So, how do you become a professional singer? Let’s take a look.
Singing is a talent that takes years of training and experience to perfect. Most of us can sing to some degree, but the majority of us who can hold a note won’t get paid for it. Top vocal coach Annabel Williams, who has helped train and discover many singers in her work on The X Factor and currently as the vocal coach on Britain’s Got Talent, offers this advice: “If people listen to your music and enjoy your singing, you’re doing something right! Keep going and never give up. Twenty years ago, you needed to look and act a certain way. That’s out the window now. Anyone can succeed with the right attitude, work ethic, and talent.”
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A professional singer gets paid to sing. That might mean singing onstage, in a bar, on a cruise ship, in a recording studio, or selling out the O2. There are many options for budding vocalists to consider.
To make a living as a singer, professionals need the ability to communicate emotions and ideas through song. This is something to think about, especially if you’re considering work in musical theatre, where you will simultaneously be expected to act and dance.
A passion for singing and the ability to hold a note will take you part of the way, but there are several other skills you’ll need in order to start a career as a professional singer. As with many creative careers, you need to be persistent, committed, and hard-working. Work isn’t always regular, so ask yourself if you’re ready for an unreliable income and a working pattern that typically falls outside of a conventional nine-to-five. To succeed, singing must be your purpose as well as your profession.
Williams adds, “You need to be reliable, nice, easy to get on with. It’s very competitive and also the best job in the world, so you’ve got to make sure you earn your place. If you’re good enough and work hard enough, you will get there. There’s space for everyone, and the best thing to do is be yourself and work hard.”
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1. Assess your natural singing ability
It’s a basic question but it’s important: Are you any good? Belting out a passable rendition of a karaoke classic in the local pub is very different to people paying to hear you. What do your friends and family really think of your voice? What do people who aren’t so close to you reckon? Record yourself and be brutally honest while listening back to your singing.
2. Take singing lessons
Williams argues that although you can succeed without it, training is important, and few professional singers make it big without putting in the hours. “Knowledge is power! It’s so easy to train these days. There are loads of free lessons on YouTube, even. You might as well!”
She suggests: “Study your craft. Even for six months [or] a year. Get a decent vocal coach and do everything they say.” Williams has her own app, aimed at pop and theatre singers, on which she offers her particular methodology of vocal training. She recommends singers lap up all things musical. “Learn everything, a bit of piano or guitar, too. It really helps. Learn the terminology so you can speak the language to other singers and musicians.”
3. Practise
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Dedicate time and effort to practising your repertoire, doing scales, and breathing exercises. A good vocal coach can guide you, but also check out advice available online.
4. Look after your voice
Looking after your voice is crucial for career longevity and success. Williams adds: “Learn good vocal health. It’s part of your job. We can’t buy new vocal cords like a guitarist can buy a new string. It’s not good enough to turn up to a job, rehearsal, session, [or] gig and complain about your voice being shot. That’s unprofessional. Do everything you can to be consistent. Be the singer that people go, ‘Oh, definitely book them, they never lose their voice. They’re always consistent!’ ”
5. Decide which type of singer you want to be
There are plenty of opportunities for talented vocalists, so it’s important to think about what kind of singer you want to be, both in terms of musical style and where you’d like to perform. To help you decide, study the industry, go to gigs, and listen to as much music of all types as you can.
Here are just some singing styles to consider:
- Pop singer
- Musical theatre
- Jazz/blues/lounge singer
- Classical and opera singer
- Singer-songwriter
- Hip-hop/rap singer
Some styles like opera, classical, and musical theatre require more formal training than others. Think about where your strengths lie. If a career in the West End is your dream, you’ll need a level of acting and dancing, too. Even in other genres, such as pop or jazz, performance skills are necessary.
Remember, selling out Wembley isn’t the only way to use your vocal talents. Where you end up using your singing skills may not be immediately obvious. Why not consider working as a wedding singer or on a cruise ship? Maybe you could sing ad jingles, perform in cabaret shows, or become a children’s entertainer? What about being a backing singer, a vocal coach, or teaching singing in schools? Part of being a successful creative is being flexible. Plus, you never know where your talents will be best applied until you try different areas.
6. Promote yourself
To be a professional singer, you need an audience, and to get an audience, people need to know you exist. It’s time to promote yourself and your talents.
Make a demo of your best performances at home using good domestic recording equipment or even hire a budget-friendly professional studio for an hour or two. Then upload your music to Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and start building your online presence and audience.
Video content is great for social media, so why not consider livestreaming a performance for your online fans? Once you’re an established professional, you probably won’t want to perform for free, but a gig to get your name out there could pay off if it increases your fanbase. Also think about creating a YouTube channel featuring songs and shows to reach a wider audience.
Use hashtags such as #music, #singer, #artist, #songwriter, #livemusic, and #instamusic. Also tag other musicians whose work you admire to get noticed. Check out the Instagram pages of successful singers such as Carrie Hope Fletcher, Jessie Ware, and Anne-Marie for inspiration on how to do it well.
7. Get experience
If you want to be a singer, you’ve got to sing. Ed Sheeran started his career as a busker, Florence Welch first sang at family funerals, and Eurovision star Sam Ryder made his name on TikTok during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Williams began her career as a teenager singing in pubs. “I had my own PA (speaker and mic, etc.) and would bring those so I could do gigs in pubs with bands and backing tracks, and was so self-sufficient. I definitely think that made me more bookable and got more work.”
She advises: “Say yes to every gig and session you’re offered. You can’t be taught experience, so you need to go get it. Do stuff you hate, too. All of it! It will help you in the long run.”
Get your voice out there. Join a choir or band in your local community, take part in singing competitions and open mic nights, or consider auditioning for reality TV competitions such as Britain’s Got Talent or The Voice. Check out social media for local music groups and keep an eye out for casting opportunities. In short, get yourself in front of an audience and show them what you’ve got!