How To Be A Professional Singer

So you want to become a professional singer. You have lofty dreams about becoming an internationally renowned pop star. But have you got what it takes to be one?

As with everything else, making a transition from an amateur singer to professional singer can be a rather daunting and frightening, it is even more so in the performing arts where you will have to perform to an audience. That is why in some surveys, many people said they fear public speaking more than death.

However, don't let me scare you just yet because hundreds, if not thousands of amateur singers turn professionals everyday all over the world and so you can be one of them. If you have prepared yourself sufficiently and have taken singing and performing lessons and have practiced diligently, chances are that your transition from an amateur status to a professional one should be rather smooth barring unforeseen circumstances.

Most people have the wrong impression that all you need is to have a good singing voice to be a successful professional singer. Although your voice is important, it is much more than that. It is a total package and that includes the X factor that your audience likes you.

It would be pointless to try to be a professional singer if you can't sing well and I am not just talking about your voice. Singing well means that you can hit the notes accurately have a good vocal range, your sense of rhythm is great, you can deliver the song with its message that can move your audience and so on and so forth. In other words, you need to be trained. Even the biggest stars take singing and performing lessons.

Now, the biggest mistake you can make is that you take the words of your friends or relatives saying that you are a great singer. Hey, how can they give you an honest appraisal if they don't want to hurt your feelings? Don't believe me? Look at the many American idol rejects during the audition phase. Almost everyone of them said that their friends and relatives often praised them about their singing abilities and yet when they were placed in front of the judges, you can see that many of them can't even sing at all, not to say having a chance to be crowned American Idol.

How about your presentation? The way you present yourself to your audience is crucial and that alone may make or break your career. Your road to superstardom is very much dependant on how you will be perceived and received by your audience. Like in anything else, if you don't look presentable you won't be taken seriously. So you must look and dress the part.

Always insist on sound checks with your band and the sound technician before any performances. You don't want the band to drown you or your voice overcoming the band and also to avoid any negative technicalities during your performance.

You must also be skillful in your audience interaction skills because often time, you need to speak to them and engage them with your personality. I personally know many good singers who can sing to an audience without any problems but when asked to talk they got lost for words. Therefore your entire act should be well rehearsed and this rehearsal should include introducing yourself and your band members, about the songs that you will be singing and the bantering with your audience.

How about finding work? If you are new, you may wish to contact booking agents who have a ready list of employers or you can go to music stores as many music venues and clubs put up their advertisements in these stores. If you can afford it, you can send your resume including a CD to the venue managers where you want to perform in.

So remember, having a good voice alone is not enough to make you a successful professional singer. So go polish up on your act before taking this career path.