Short answer: yes. According to vocal experts, anyone can learn to sing with enough practice and proper technique. Celebrity vocal coach Cari Cole even taught herself to sing before taking formal lessons. She suggests that you can pick up a lot by mimicking other singers and singing along to your favorite songs, though eventually you’ll want professional training to protect your voice’s health.

Recording artist and vocal coach Teri Danz agrees that eventually some guidance is necessary:

Voice teacher and performance coach Lis Lewis encourages young singers to explore what their voice can do on their own:

At the same time, expert Jan “Mama Jan” Smith emphasizes that while you can practice alone, getting feedback from others is crucial to truly improve your singing:

Ready to start improving your singing? Here are some expert-approved tips on how to sing better and get the most out of your voice:

When your body is energized and “activated,” your singing voice will respond more easily. Before you even sing a note, get your body moving: do some light cardio or physical exercise to raise your heart rate and maybe even break a sweat. Once you feel warmed up, then begin your vocal exercises.

Vocal coach Cari Cole emphasizes the importance of a proper warm-up for your voice:

Mama Jan points out that warming up is all about blood flow and oxygen:

In the same vein, coach Lis Lewis notes that singers often need “more sleep and more water” to perform their best. Good rest and hydration are also part of the warm-up process to get your voice ready to sing.
In that same vein, Lewis said you need “more sleep and more water” in order to sing as well as you can. These things are part of the warming up process.

Lisa – vocal warm-ups

Tari Danz – vocal warm-ups

Tension anywhere in your body will affect your singing voice. Incorporate practices like yoga, deep stretching, or even massages into your routine to help you stay loose. By relaxing your muscles, you’ll reduce strain when you sing. Also, pay special attention to your throat and jaw—they need to stay relaxed while you’re singing. Here’s how to release tension in those areas:

Sing a line of a song and watch yourself in the mirror. If you notice any tightness in your throat or face, you’re likely adding unnecessary tension. A quick check: place your thumb and forefinger gently on your larynx (voice box) as you sing. If you feel it rising or tightening, pause and try singing the phrase again while consciously keeping your larynx relaxed and low. Next, to check tongue tension, put your thumb under your chin to feel the muscles there as you sing. If those muscles between your chin and voice box feel hard or tense, work on relaxing your tongue and jaw as you vocalize.

Your jaw position has a big impact on your vocal tone and pitch. It should move freely and naturally with the vowels you’re singing. To help your jaw relax while singing, try this exercise:

• Pick a phrase in a song that feels tight or constricted when you sing it.
• In front of a mirror, speak the words of that phrase and notice how your jaw opens (it should drop down vertically and naturally as you speak).
• Now sing the phrase, letting your jaw open to the same height as when you spoke the words.
• Be careful not to force your jaw open more or less than it was while speaking—keep it natural.

This tip might sound counterintuitive. We’re often told to “take a deep breath” before singing, but consider this: you don’t typically run out of breath in the middle of a spoken sentence. Your body naturally takes in enough air for you to speak. The same concept applies to singing. Instead of gulping a huge breath before every line, just think about the phrase you’re about to sing—your body will automatically draw in the right amount of air. In short, let your breathing happen naturally, as it does when you speak, rather than forcing big breaths when you don’t need them.

As you read this article, you aren’t holding your breath—singing should feel just as natural. If you catch yourself holding your breath while singing, it means you’re introducing tension. Continuously holding back air is counterproductive and can strain your voice. The goal is to keep your breath flowing comfortably. Just breathe normally and sing; don’t clamp down or try to “save” your breath. Trust that your body will manage the airflow as you need it, just like it does during conversation.

You may have seen some artists sing with only a slight mouth opening as a stylistic choice, but in terms of technique, proper singing requires you to open your mouth. To project and form vowels correctly, your mouth and throat need to be open. A good guideline: go ahead and yawn. Feel how open your throat gets and how your mouth stretches? That’s the kind of openness you want when you sing. In fact, aim for about two fingers’ width of space between your teeth when singing. Opening up this way allows your voice to resonate fully and freely.

As you sing, keep an eye on the tension we addressed back in Step 2. Don’t let that tightness creep back into your body, throat, or jaw. Continue to keep your jaw slack, your tongue relaxed and resting comfortably, your lips loose, and your neck free of strain. One helpful visualization: imagine your head is floating above your body, balanced and buoyant. By maintaining this relaxed posture, you ensure that your vocal apparatus stays unrestricted, which makes your tone more resonant and your singing easier.

A huge part of singing well isn’t technical at all—it’s emotional. Remember that you’re a human communicating to other humans through music, so allow yourself to feel and convey the song’s emotions. In practice, this means really getting into the song’s story or mood. Relate the lyrics to something in your own life or conjure up the feelings the song is meant to express. If the song is sad, let yourself feel that sadness; if it’s joyful, sing with joy. The more authentically you emote, the more you’ll connect with your audience. Singing with genuine emotion can turn a technically good performance into a truly great and memorable one.

After you’re done singing, don’t forget to warm down your voice. Just as athletes cool down their muscles, singers should gently cool down their vocal cords. One simple warm-down exercise is to slide your voice from a comfortable high note down to a low note on a gentle “ah” or “hmm” sound. Start at the highest pitch you can easily sing and slide smoothly down to your lowest comfortable pitch. Do this a few times for a minute or two. This sliding action helps re-lubricate and relax your vocal folds after the work they’ve done. It’s a nice way to ease your voice back to a resting state and can help prevent stiffness or soreness the next day.

Now that you have the knowledge to start singing, it’s time to apply it. Practice is essential for becoming a better singer. Here are some tips to help you structure your singing practice effectively:

When you reach for a high note, resist the instinct to lift your chin or tilt your head up. Many singers unconsciously raise their chin and stretch their neck when trying to hit high pitches, but this can actually strain your vocal cords and make those notes harder to sing. Instead, keep your chin level or even slightly down when you sing high notes. By maintaining a neutral head position (“stay low” with your chin), you reduce neck tension and make it easier to hit the high note with proper support and placement.

Good singing should feel like an extension of speaking. One way to find a more natural singing tone is to practice “speaking” on pitch. Here’s an exercise: place your fingertips on your Adam’s apple (or where it would be on your throat). This is your larynx, where your vocal cords reside. Notice what happens when you swallow (it moves up) and when you yawn (it moves down). Now, when you speak normally, your larynx stays relatively still. The goal is to keep that same relaxed, stable larynx position when you sing. In other words, as you sing, try to maintain a feeling similar to speaking. If you keep your larynx steady and “speak” the lyrics on the correct pitches, your tone will be more natural and you’ll avoid unnecessary tension.

Remember that singing is a physical activity. In many ways, singers are vocal athletes. That means your overall health and wellness impact your voice. To sing your best, take care of your whole body. Eat a balanced diet to fuel your energy, stay well-hydrated by drinking water regularly, and get regular exercise to build stamina. Aerobic exercise (like walking, running, or dancing) can improve your breath control and lung capacity. Additionally, pay attention to your posture—standing or sitting up straight with relaxed shoulders can help you breathe more efficiently for singing (we’ll cover posture more below). The healthier and stronger you are, the better foundation you have for powerful, controlled singing.

Practice deep breathing exercises to develop proper breath support and control for singing. One fundamental technique is diaphragmatic breathing: instead of shallow breaths that make your chest rise, focus on breathing deeply into your lower abdomen. As you inhale, you should feel your belly expand (this means your diaphragm is lowering and your lungs are filling with air). Engage your core muscles to help support your breath as you sing. Consistent practice with breathing exercises—like slow deep breaths in for a count of 4, out for a count of 6 or 8—will train you to manage your breath during songs. By strengthening your breath control, you’ll be able to sustain notes longer and sing phrases more smoothly.

Just like an athlete stretches and drills specific skills, a singer should regularly practice vocal exercises. Incorporate a variety of vocal exercises into your routine. These can include scales (going up and down do-re-mi-fa-so-fa-mi-re-do sequences), arpeggios (jumping pitches in a chord pattern), interval training (practicing jumps between notes), and vocal runs. Work on different aspects of your voice: practice dynamics (singing softly, then loudly), articulation exercises (like tongue twisters on pitches), accuracy of pitch (maybe using a piano or app to stay in tune), and agility (quick note runs or trills). Each exercise targets different muscle coordinations and will help expand your range, improve your tone, and increase your overall vocal flexibility. Make sure to always start these exercises gently and within your comfortable range, then gradually challenge yourself as you improve.

Posture plays a crucial role in singing. If you want optimal breath support and vocal resonance, you need an open, aligned posture. Whether you’re standing or sitting, keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed (not hunched). Imagine a string gently pulling you up from the crown of your head—this helps lengthen your spine. A good posture creates more room for your lungs to expand and allows your diaphragm to move freely. It also prevents unnecessary tension in your neck and shoulders. When your body is aligned, your breath flows better and your voice can resonate without obstruction. So before you sing, do a quick posture check: feet shoulder-width apart (if standing), spine tall, shoulders down, and chin parallel to the floor.

Crisp articulation and clear diction make a huge difference in how well your lyrics are understood. To improve your enunciation, practice singing consonant-heavy phrases and vowel shapes deliberately. You can do simple diction exercises: for example, sing scales or short melodies on one vowel at a time (“la la la…,” then “me me me…,” etc.), which will help you focus on shaping each vowel clearly. Also, try tongue twisters on pitch to challenge your consonant articulation (like singing “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” on a single note or scale). The goal is to pronounce words cleanly without overly exaggerating or, on the flip side, getting lazy with them. Good diction in singing ensures that your audience understands the story you’re telling, and it also contributes to a more polished performance.

Choose songs that both fit your current vocal abilities and also challenge you a little. Practicing with the right repertoire is important. Start with songs that are in a comfortable range for you so you can apply proper technique without straining. As you build confidence and skill, gradually try more challenging songs (maybe ones with higher notes or trickier runs) to expand your capabilities. It’s also helpful to sing a variety of genres and styles—this versatility will make you a more well-rounded singer. For example, if you usually sing pop, try a classic rock song or a musical theater piece now and then; each style can teach you something new about your voice. Keep adding new songs to your repertoire over time, and revisit old ones to see how much easier they feel as you improve.

One of the best ways to gauge your progress is to record yourself singing. During your practice sessions, use your phone or any recording device to capture your voice (you can sing along to a karaoke track or an instrument if needed). Listening to these recordings can be eye-opening—you’ll hear things you might not notice while you’re in the act of singing. When you play it back, pay attention to areas that need improvement: are you on pitch? Can you understand the lyrics? Is your tone breathy or strained? At the same time, note what you did well. Use this as a tool to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Make a habit of recording yourself regularly and keep notes on what you want to work on. Over time, you’ll likely be able to hear your improvement from recording to recording, which can be very motivating.

In addition to self-evaluation, getting feedback from others—especially experienced singers or vocal coaches—can greatly accelerate your growth. Consider working with a vocal coach or taking voice lessons if you can. A good instructor will provide personalized guidance, spot issues you might not notice, and give you targeted exercises to overcome specific challenges. They can also keep you accountable and inspired. If formal lessons aren’t an option, even casual feedback helps: sing for friends or family members who have a good ear, or join a choir/community group where a director can offer pointers. The key is to get an outside perspective on your singing.

Consistency is more important than marathon practice sessions. It’s better to practice a little bit each day (or most days) than to only sing once in a while for a long time. Try to establish a regular practice schedule that fits your life—even 15 to 30 minutes of focused practice daily can lead to significant improvements. Treat it like working out a muscle; frequent exercise will strengthen your voice over time. On the other hand, avoid overworking your voice for hours in one go, as that can lead to fatigue or injury. Consistency and moderation are key.

Remember to keep singing fun as well. Regular practice will feel less like a chore if you’re enjoying the songs you sing and noticing progress. Celebrate the small victories—maybe you extended your range by a note, or your transition between chest voice and head voice got smoother. Those are signs your regular practice is paying off.

Your voice is part of your body, so keeping yourself vocally healthy is crucial. Here are several ways to maintain your vocal health:

• Stay hydrated – drink water consistently to keep your throat and vocal cords moist.
• Avoid excessive throat clearing or shouting, as these can irritate your vocal cords.
• Practice proper vocal hygiene – for example, always warm up before singing and warm down after, and don’t scream or force your voice in unhealthy ways.
• Give your voice rest when it’s tired; just like any muscle, it needs recovery time.
• Don’t strain or push your voice beyond its comfortable limits (if a note hurts or consistently causes tension, approach it differently or leave it for now).
• Cut back on excessive alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you and irritate your throat.
• Don’t smoke – smoking is extremely harmful to your vocal cords and lungs.
• Get plenty of sleep. Being well-rested helps your voice stay strong and recover from use.

By taking care of your physical and vocal health, you’ll ensure that your voice remains strong, clear, and reliable as you continue on your singing journey.

If you’re serious about learning how to sing and want some structured guidance, consider exploring online singing courses and tutorials. Here are a few of the best resources available, ranging from free YouTube channels to paid professional courses:

Jacob Vocal Academy is a YouTube channel that offers a treasure trove of over 600 videos covering all the basics of singing. The channel’s creator provides lessons on everything from warm-ups and breathing techniques to improving tone and expanding range. Although new videos haven’t been posted since 2022, the content is evergreen — the singing lessons and exercises are just as useful today as when they were first uploaded. If you’re looking for a free starting point to develop your voice, this channel is a fantastic resource and a great place to begin your training.

Madeline Harvey is a singing teacher and vocal coach based in Nashville, TN. She hosts nearly 400 free instructional videos on her YouTube channel, covering topics like vocal warm-ups, technique tips, and performance advice. These free videos are an excellent way to start learning and see improvement on your own. For those who want more personalized guidance, Madeline also offers paid options: one-on-one voice lessons (which can often be done via video call) and vocal evaluations. Through these, she provides tailored feedback and training plans specific to your voice. Whether you stick to her free videos or invest in personal coaching, Madeline Harvey’s resources can significantly help you grow as a singer.

The world-renowned Berklee College of Music offers a wide array of online singing courses for those willing to invest in a more formal education. Berklee’s online vocal courses are taught by experienced instructors and often allow you to earn a certificate upon completion. These courses can be very specific to your interests or needs—for example, you can find classes on vocal technique for different genres (pop, rock, jazz, etc.), stage performance skills, or even the physiology of singing. The curriculum is structured, and you’ll likely get assignments, assessments, and feedback just like in an in-person class. While these courses are paid, many singers find the comprehensive, in-depth training worth the cost, especially if you’re considering a professional career or want a college-level learning experience. All the coursework can be completed online, so you can study with Berklee instructors from anywhere in the world.