Unlocking the Mystery of Singing
Have you ever wondered how long it takes to learn to sing? Well, my friends, buckle up because I’m about to take you on a wild ride through the world of vocal development. As someone who’s had the honor, joy, struggle, challenge, privilege, and pleasure of coaching tens of thousands of singers for nearly three decades, I can tell you that there’s no simple answer to this question.
But before I dive in, let me share a little secret with you: I’ve come to believe that the less distorted the music you listen to, the easier it is to lock onto the notes. Your ear wants to hear pure, clean tones, and the best place to find them is in classical music. So, if you want to sharpen up your ear, start listening to some Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Trust me, it’ll do wonders for your singing.
Now, back to the big question: how long does it take to learn to sing? The answer, my friends, is simple: it depends. It depends on a number of factors, like whether you’re naturally gifted, how self-disciplined you are, if you have an effective vocal coach, and whether you’re healthy and patient. Ah, patience – that noble quality that will keep you from quitting, from self-frustration, and from judging yourself by your worst days. It’s what will keep you seeking the answers, just like a noble doctor keeps seeking the cure.
The Beginner’s Breakthrough
Let me take you back to the summer of 1991, when I had my first lesson with the great master vocal coach, Seth Riggs. In the first 10 minutes, I was dumbfounded. The first thought that came to me was, “So, this is how the voice works!” Seth had me sing on a 5-tone scale on the vowel “ah,” and as we approached the bridge or “break” area of my voice, I had three choices. I was instantly blown away.
He then gave me a series of vocal exercises to redirect me into my “mix” up to a high C. And let me tell you, I later became known as that guy with over 5 octaves of range. Now, I’m not bragging, but I just love that I was able to expand on the brilliant principles I learned and create a program that’s helped singers all over the world.
Mastering the Fundamentals
Here’s the thing, though: most commercial singers – pop, rock, indie, country, folk, blues, R&B – have little to no music theory lessons. How is this possible, you ask? Well, think of all the child prodigies who just open up and sing well at 8, 9, or 10 years old. They feel the music and let their ear guide them.
But here’s the catch: if you’re ignoring the knowledge and music theory behind the structure and function of chords, chord progressions, harmony, melodic motifs, themes, and rhythms, then you’re limiting yourself. Greatness and progress extend with greater knowledge. The Musical Theater Center is the perfect place to dive into this foundational knowledge and unlock your true potential as a singer.
The Power of Consistent Practice
Practice sessions go much smoother when you know the theory behind what you’re doing. Some of the greatest singers I’ve known have had their producers tell me that they had to work extra long on the rhythm of their best singers because they lacked the knowledge of how to count in a phrase or sing in-between beats.
Living in LA, Utah, and Nashville, and traveling all over the world, I can say categorically that nearly every great singer or professional singer I’ve met had a good teacher and possessed, at the bare minimum, a working knowledge of vocal technique. Music schools throughout the world have brought me out to give masterclasses to large groups of people at one time because they know I can hear the difference between singers with the right techniques and those who’ve had limited or no coaching.
The Three Phases of Singing Lessons
Singing lessons should typically move in three phases: weekly lessons, deliberate practice, and consistent repetition. And don’t forget about keeping a practice journal – that extra edge can really make a difference in becoming a professional singer.
Think about it like this: pro athletes execute drills for years and years, experience defeat, failure, bad days, injuries, limitations, and exhaustion before they break through. If you want to learn to sing well, you’ve got to take it just as seriously. Singing takes longer than any skill I can think of, but the right road gets exponentially faster.
Overcoming Vocal Hurdles
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Brett, what if I have vocal health issues, lack of chemistry with my coach, or the technique I’m learning isn’t effective?” Well, my friends, that’s why it’s so important to stop singing alone and seek out the guidance of a qualified coach.
Singing well takes years for most voices to develop a confident sound. Voices don’t automatically coordinate, which is why I’ve trained a great number of teachers around the world and formed a dream team of coaches in Nashville. We love walking through the artist’s journey with those who hunger and thirst for excellence.
So, if you’re still wondering how long it takes to sing well, let’s talk. Take advantage of our VIP Membership and grow 10 times faster than going it alone. Book with my coaches, and experience what so many before have acknowledged: “You can grow a year in a day or a day in a year.”
The Importance of Healthy Vibrato
Now, let’s talk about something that’s been bugging me: fake vibrato. I’ve heard it in about 12 singers on this subreddit, and many of them aren’t even aware that it’s an issue. So, let me break down the basics of healthy versus unhealthy vibrato.
Vibrato is natural – it’s not something you sing like a run. It should feel like it’s part of your voice, not something you’re pushing from your larynx. You definitely shouldn’t be moving your jaw to create it. Now, you do have some control over your vibrato, especially with practice, and you can choose when to use it and when not to.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to put vibrato on every note. It can become very jarring for the listener, and if your vibrato is slow or wide, it can make you sound, well, a little like a “drunken grandma in the kitchen yodeling along to her favorite hymns.” Yikes!
The root cause for many people’s fake vibrato is that they’re trying to emulate singers they admire, like Freddie Mercury, whose vibrato is notoriously uneven. Instead, I recommend listening to singers whose vibrato you truly admire and let it slowly creep into your own voice. Remember, healthy vibrato is even and natural, not something you have to force.
Embracing the Journey
As you can see, the journey from beginner to Broadway is a long and winding one, but it’s worth every step. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been singing for years, I encourage you to embrace the process, be patient with yourself, and never stop learning.
Remember, singing is a lifelong pursuit, and the rewards are endless. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a microphone, warm up your voice, and let’s get to work! The Musical Theater Center is here to support you every step of the way.
