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Singing for Beginners: Improve Your Voice with Pro Techniques

Author: Tom Stein

Expert Sources: Matt Farnsworth • Kevin Richards • Justin Stoney • Judy Collins

Last updated: Jul 11, 2025

Almost anyone can learn to sing better with practice and good technique.
Always warm up, stay hydrated, and maintain good posture for safe singing.
Focus on breathing, relaxation, and releasing tension – these basics make a huge difference.
Get feedback: a teacher or recording can catch issues your own ear misses.
Avoid straining: don’t hold your breath or push high notes beyond your range.
Singing takes time and discipline, but the confidence and connection you gain makes it worth it.

Introduction
The Universal Joy of Singing
Can Anyone Learn to Sing?
How to Get Started: Warm Up & Build Good Habits
1. Always Warm Up
2. Release Tension
3. Breathe the Right Way
4. Keep Good Posture
5. Sing with Emotion
Common Singing Mistakes to Avoid
Should You Take Voice Lessons?
How Long Will It Take to Get Better?
The Hard Truths About Singing (And Why It’s Worth It)
Next Steps
Sources

The Universal Joy of Singing

Humans have been singing for thousands of years. Whether you’re belting in the shower or performing on stage, singing is one of the most joyful and personal ways to express yourself. It’s healthy, too — singing can boost your mood, reduce stress, and help you connect with people everywhere.

If you’ve always dreamed of being a singer — or you just want to finally feel good about your voice — you’re in the right place. We talked to three of the country’s top vocal coaches, who’ve trained singers for Broadway, TV, opera, and concert tours, to bring you the real, practical advice you need to get started and grow.

“Singing works best when it’s a joyful process. We want to go on that joyful path. …There’s…this freedom that we have to have one way or another where we accept our voice, we’re joyful about our voice, and we’re letting it come from the soul.” — Justin Stoney, New York Vocal Coaching

Can Anyone Learn to Sing?

Yes! Despite what you might have heard, almost everyone can learn to sing in tune. You’re not stuck with the voice you were born with — you can improve it with practice and good technique.

“Anyone can learn to sing with enough knowledge and practice… At a certain point, if you want to take it more seriously, you do need to train because you want to protect the health of your voice.” — Cari Cole, Vocal Coach & Artist Development Expert

Voice teacher Lis Lewis agrees that just singing is a valuable part of learning:

“Just singing teaches you about your voice, when it gets tired, and what sounds your voice makes that you love.” — Lis Lewis, Vocal Coach

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How to Get Started: Warm Up & Build Good Habits

Always Warm Up

Your voice is a muscle. Warming up reduces strain and helps you sing more freely. Humming, lip trills, and sirens are simple warm-ups you can do daily.

“It’s all about circulation. You get your body moving so that your voice responds.” — Mama Jan Smith (Usher, Justin Bieber, The Band Perry)

Release Tension

Many singers develop tension in the jaw, tongue, or neck without realizing it. This can hurt your tone and tire your voice out. Do gentle stretches and check in with your body as you sing. Keep your shoulders down, jaw loose, and throat open.

Breathe the Right Way

Learn to breathe low into your belly instead of shallow chest breathing. Proper breath support keeps your tone steady and prevents strain.

“If you sing through the back of your throat and push a lot of air, you lose resonance and tone. It’s harder to hit notes. Then your voice is probably going to get tired, and you can become hoarse more easily.” — Teri Danz, Vocal Coach

Keep Good Posture

Stand tall with your shoulders relaxed and your head level. Good alignment makes it easier to breathe and project your voice.

Sing with Emotion

Technique matters, but so does feeling. Don’t just sing the notes — tell the story. Connect to the lyrics and perform with honesty.

Common Singing Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping warm-ups — your voice needs a proper warm-up every time you sing seriously.
Practicing too much at once — more isn’t always better. One hour a day is plenty.
Straining for high notes — pushing too hard can damage your vocal cords.
Holding your breath — let your breath flow naturally with the sound.

“A lot of people think they have to take a huge breath, but we don’t run out of breath in the middle of talking. In the same way, let your breathing happen naturally when singing.” — Cari Cole

Should You Take Voice Lessons?

While you can learn a lot on your own, a great vocal coach can help you improve faster, spot bad habits, and protect your voice from damage.

“Feedback gives you information that you can’t get objectively on your own.” — Mama Jan Smith

“Students think they’re tone deaf when they’re not. They just have to learn how to listen, match pitch, and use their bodies properly.” — Justin Stoney

If you’re ready to take it seriously, look for a coach who understands your style and goals. Try a trial lesson before committing long term.

How Long Will It Take to Get Better?

Every singer’s journey is different. With regular practice, you’ll notice improvements within weeks. Big progress often takes a year or more, and reaching a professional level takes years. Stay patient — and celebrate every milestone along the way.

The Hard Truths About Singing (And Why It’s Worth It)

Singing is rewarding, but it’s not always easy. You’ll face nerves, setbacks, and criticism. It takes discipline to care for your voice and keep learning. And if you want to make it a career, the industry can be competitive and unpredictable.

But if you love it, these challenges are worth it. There’s nothing like the rush of connecting with an audience or the pride of seeing your progress. If you protect your voice, put in the work, and stay true to your sound, you can enjoy singing for life.

“Having confidence, even faking it until you believe in yourself, is so attractive when you walk into the audition room. People are watching how you carry yourself. Stay in your own space and don’t let them psych you out.” — Michael Orland (American Idol, Vocal Coach)

Next Steps

Try our guides on vocal warm-ups and finding your voice type.
Practice daily, record yourself, and don’t fear feedback.
Sing with confidence — your voice deserves to be heard.

Now take a deep breath, warm up, and start singing. You’ve got this.

Sources

Matt Farnsworth

Matt Farnsworth is an accomplished Voice Teacher and Pianist. He has been teaching voice since 1995 when he became the Consulting Coach on Broadway’s production of Rent. His students have been nominated and won Oscar, Tony and Grammy awards and can be seen performing in Film, Television, on Broadway, National Tours and Regional houses around the country.

Matt most recently worked on the Netflix films Jingle Jangle and The Prom (directed by Ryan Murphy). In addition to these, the Aretha Franklin movie Respect, Amazon’s Transparent Musical Finale as well as Orange is the New Black and comedy Central’s The Other Two. Matt and his three Associate Teachers are truly grateful to be able to serve the arts community and help others achieve their goals.

Kevin Richards

Hi, My name is Kevin Richards and I’m one of the most respected Vocal Teachers on the planet. With past & present students ranging from Broadway singers to Opera stars to music legends like Rod Stewart, I’ve carved out a unique niche among the world’s musicians.

With a career spanning over 30 years, I’ve sang to countless thousands of people while touring the world and worked with artists from all styles and genres.

I’ve learned a lot about being onstage, not only by toiling away on the local club circuit averaging 150 shows per year in the mid/late 1980s, but while touring the Far East and Europe in 1996 as lead singer in my original rock band. That tour that was highlighted by an appearance at an outdoor music festival in Seoul, Korea in front of 13,000 people. I learned what works and what doesn’t work pretty quickly with that many shows, in front of that many people; it ended up being a great classroom and proving ground for me.

With this multi-layered background under my feet, I definitely have something to offer other performers who simply want to be the best thery can be, not only vocally but professionally. I’ve learned by doing, and know the importance of connecting with an audience. If the audience doesn’t enjoy watching you, then what’s the point of them coming to see you perform?

I sum up my vocal teaching style this way; I want to help Singers and musicians of all types deliver the best performances they can by engaging, maintaining and delivering a great show night after night. I’ve learned a lot in my many years in this crazy business, and I’m excited about passing that on to any artist that wants to excel as a performer.

2010 saw the release of my groundbreaking 2 module vocal program geared for the Rock/Pop vocalist “Breaking the Chains”; now sold in over 90 countries. No other singing course out there was made specifically for the modern Rock and Pop Singer in a language that spoke to them directly. I feel I filled a wide gap in voice instruction with my flagship vocal course.

In 2017 I became the Vocal Coach for legendary Rock icon Sir Rod Stewart, helping him maintain his voice to deliver a great show night after night.

Justin Stoney

Justin Stoney is the Founder of New York Vocal Coaching, an internationally-recognized Voice Teacher and Vocal Coach, developer of the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program, and author of the book Sing Like Never Before. He has taught over 20,000 voice lessons to Singers of diverse backgrounds, levels, styles, ethnicities, nationalities, and ages. His clients also include Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award-winning artists.

Mr. Stoney has been invited as a Keynote Speaker and Presenter both nationally and internationally for conferences and workshops including PAVA (Pan American Vocology Association), Vocology in Practice, and NYSTA (New York Singing Teachers Association) Professional Development Program. He has appeared on numerous media outlets including NBC, CBS, and ABC, and been featured in multiple publications including The New York Times, Esquire, and SELF. He is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), Vocology in Practice, VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association), The Voice Foundation, Actors Equity, and SAG-AFTRA. Justin also collaborates with leading Voice Doctors and Laryngologists to help bridge the gap between vocal pedagogy and voice medicine, and participates in cutting edge research on vocal science, pedagogy, and technology.

Mr. Stoney studied classical vocal technique with veterans of the Metropolitan Opera, Musical Theatre vocal technique with veterans of Broadway, and contemporary vocal technique with industry-leading Pop/Rock/R&B instructors. He also holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance and a BA in English from the University of Michigan, where he graduated at the top of his class and was elected University Commencement Speaker. Justin is also certified in Yoga with a strong background in anatomy, Alexander Technique, and physical fitness.

Justin is also the creator and host of the popular singing shows Voice Lessons To The World and Quick Singing Tips.

He has featured in articles by Jezebel, SELF, and The New York Times.

Judy Collins

Judy Collins is an award-winning singer-songwriter whose career dates back to the 1960s. Renowned for her unique interpretations of both traditional and contemporary folk classics, as well as her own deeply moving original works, she has earned widespread admiration.

Her iconic version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” from her groundbreaking 1967 album Wildflowers was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s hauntingly beautiful and intimate take on Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” from the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, earned her the “Song of the Year” award at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She has enjoyed numerous top-ten hits and has released several gold- and platinum-selling albums.

More recently, artists like Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen have paid tribute to her legacy on the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.

Judy Collins remains as creatively active as ever, continuing to write, tour worldwide, and support emerging talent. A true Renaissance woman, she also serves as a filmmaker, record label executive, musical mentor, and a sought-after keynote speaker on topics like mental health and suicide prevention. Through her music, she continues to offer hope and healing, touching hearts and lighting the way for others.