The 3 steps to becoming a singer: bonus step — RELEVANT READS

I’ve now outlined all three steps to becoming a singer: 1: sing, 2: join a choir and 3: be self-aware.

image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

Now here is a bonus fourth step: relevant posts from the archives.

The 3 steps to becoming a singer: step 3 — SELF-AWARENESS

In the last two posts I’ve outlined step 1 and step 2 to becoming a singer.

Now it’s time for step 3 to help you grow and develop as a singer.

The 3 steps to becoming a singer: step 2 — JOIN A CHOIR

Last week I wrote about the first step to becoming a singer.

photo by Rex Pe

You need to actually start singing! Now here’s step 2.

The 3 steps to becoming a singer: step 1 — SING!

People often ask how they can become a singer.

Here are three simple steps to follow. Results guaranteed.

Why does it take me so long to learn a song? Everyone else seems to pick it up fast.

People often write to me asking me why it takes them ages to learn a song.

photo by matea2506

They think it might be due to age, dyslexia, or all manner of other ‘problems’. But it’s probably simpler than that.

Moving outside your comfort zone – comfortably

My partner is always sending me videos with ideas for singing warm ups, usually involving complex clapping or stepping.

I tell her that they will be too difficult for the singers I work with. But am I being too safe and under-estimating the singers’ abilities?

Choir leaders: are you being too nice to your singers?

Sometimes an individual choir member needs to be told that they’re getting it wrong. 

photo by Ondřej Lipár

In our attempt to not be unkind, we can sometimes end up being too nice, which is not helpful.

Why singing together is magical and unique

There is something special about a group of people singing together.

photo by Jason Paris

And it’s not just about sense of community and the health benefits. It really is a unique activity.

Looking after your own needs in a choir: don’t be a sheep

We went to the theatre the other day and we were the only people in the audience wearing masks.

photo by Nigel Mykura

But in all other ways, we were exactly the same as any other audience member. The same, but different.

My friend wants to be a professional, but can’t sing in tune — should I tell them?

Lots of people often tell me a similar story: someone they know is planning to go professional, but they can’t sing in tune.

Should they be told, or be allowed to make a fool of themselves in public?

When is a song ‘inappropriate’ to sing?

Not all songs are appropriate to sing in all circumstances.

But how do we know when a song is ‘inappropriate’? Here are some guidelines.

Looking for new warm up ideas? Don’t dismiss the old and familiar

I’m always looking for new ideas for the warm up start of my singing sessions.

But constant novelty is not necessarily a good thing. It can often lead to overlooking old, familiar, tried and tested exercises.

Changing your choir members’ payment system

I wrote an earlier post about different choir payment systems: Pay as you go or regular fee upfront – what is the best system for singers in your choir?

photo by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

What if you want to change from one system to another? How can you make it as pain-free and simple as possible?

Need some motivation? Create a deadline and let everyone know!

It was blue Monday this week: apparently the most depressing day of the year here in the UK.

The short days, bad weather, cold nights, all conspire to rob us of our motivation. Here’s an idea that might help.

What is ‘community singing’? — an attempted definition by Liz Rog: part 2

A couple of months ago I wrote a post entitled What is a ‘community choir’?

Now it’s the turn of Liz Rog to attempt a definition. Last week was part 1, now this is part 2.

What is ‘community singing’? — an attempted definition by Liz Rog: part 1

A couple of months ago I wrote a post entitled What is a ‘community choir’?

Now it’s the turn of Liz Rog to attempt a definition.

There is no ‘right’ time for taking stock, but it’s important to do so from time to time

Many people use the New Year as a trigger to set themselves goals for the future. And many people fail by being unrealistic.

Whether that’s you or not, it is vital to take stock from time to time, even if it’s not at New Year.

The Sheffield carols

What could be more true to the spirit of Christmas than standing in a crowded pub and singing Christmas carols?

photo by Delaina Haslam

Especially if the tunes are only to be heard in a few towns and villages near Sheffield, in South Yorkshire.

If you don’t know the songs that well, should you sing in your next concert?

We’ve all been there: a big concert is coming up and we feel under-prepared.

photo from depositphotos.com

Should we just duck out, or soldier on and busk it? Here’s what I think.

How to look after your voice (especially in the winter): 5 relevant reads

This is one of a series of summary posts around a specific topic, bringing together five relevant posts from the past. 

This summary is all about looking after your voice, especially in the winter months or when you have a busy concert season or if feasting is involved.