The term “vocalist” is defined as “a person who sings, especially with a group who play popular music,” according to the Cambridge Dictionary.

This succinct definition encapsulates the essence of a vocalist as an individual who possesses the skill and artistry of singing, often collaborating with a musical ensemble engaged in the performance of popular genres.

A vocalist is not merely a singer but a storyteller, using their voice as an instrument to convey emotions, narratives, and melodies. The role of a vocalist extends beyond technical proficiency to encompass the ability to connect with an audience, infuse meaning into lyrics, and contribute to the overall sonic tapestry of a musical composition.

This definition doesn’t fully dive into what else a vocalist can do beyond singing, but that’s covered elsewhere in this article as well.

Singing can be a lucrative profession for a select few, particularly for those who achieve widespread fame and success. The highest-earning singers can amass fortunes in the millions–and in the case of Taylor Swift and a few others, billions–with income streams stemming from album sales, concert tours, merchandise, endorsements, and other ventures.

Renowned artists often command hefty performance fees and royalties, allowing them to accumulate substantial wealth over their careers. That said, these top earners represent a tiny fraction of the overall singer population. While they may enjoy immense financial success, the vast majority of singers earn modest incomes–if they are fortunate enough to establish sustainable careers in the industry.

For many singers, especially those starting out or working in smaller venues, earnings are more modest and sporadic. Session singers, for instance, typically charge rates ranging from $100 to $500 per song, depending on their experience and the scope of the project. These fees do not always include royalties, which can vary greatly depending on the success of the song and the vocalist.

Similarly, performing singers may receive varying compensation based on the venue and event. While some gigs may offer decent pay, such as weddings, where singers might command fees upwards of $500, others, like bar performances and open mics, may yield more modest earnings, often around $50 per gig. This unpredictability and variability in income highlight the challenges that many singers face in establishing stable financial foundations within the industry.

Despite the allure of fame and fortune, the reality for most singers is a far cry from the extravagant lifestyles portrayed by celebrity culture. According to Salary.com, the average salary for singers in the United States hovers around $54,718, falling within a range of $46,429 to $63,295. This figure underscores the fact that while a select few may reach the upper echelons of wealth and recognition, the majority of singers must navigate a landscape where financial stability is elusive and success is measured not only by monetary gain, but also by artistic fulfillment and longevity in the ever-evolving music industry.

Becoming a vocalist doesn’t always require formal education, but it can certainly be beneficial for those aspiring to excel in the field. Many singers choose to pursue college degrees in music or vocal performance to develop their skills and knowledge under the guidance of experienced instructors. These teachers and environments can be hugely beneficial, and not just when it comes to learning. The connections made and relationships forged can help fledgling performers find work later on.

Institutions such as Berklee College of Music in Boston, Juilliard School in New York City, and the Royal Academy of Music in London are renowned for their exceptional vocal programs, offering rigorous training in technique, repertoire, music theory, and performance. These programs provide students with invaluable opportunities to refine their craft, collaborate with peers, and receive mentorship from industry professionals, laying a solid foundation for a career in singing.

Thankfully for those who might not be able to afford a four-year program, formal education is not the only path to success for aspiring vocalists. Many accomplished singers have honed their talents through self-study, private lessons, and practical experience. Without pursuing a college degree, individuals can still seek guidance from vocal coaches, music instructors, and seasoned professionals to improve their technique, expand their repertoire, and refine their artistry.

In today’s digital age, aspiring singers have access to a wealth of resources online, including instructional videos, tutorials, and virtual lessons on platforms like YouTube. While self-directed learning may lack the structure and depth of a formal education, it can be a flexible and cost-effective option for those with a strong passion for singing and a willingness to invest time and effort into their development.

A singer is defined as “a person who sings” by the same outlet, the Cambridge Dictionary. The two words–singer and vocalist–are synonyms, but not exactly the same.

Beyond this concise description, a singer is an artist who uses their vocal abilities to convey emotion, tell stories, and connect with listeners. They are not just technical performers, but expressive communicators, wielding their voices as powerful instruments to create a lasting impact on the musical landscape.

Beyond traditional singing, there exists a diverse array of vocalists who employ their voices in unique and unconventional ways, showcasing the vast range of human vocal expression. Throat singers, for instance, engage in a mesmerizing technique where they manipulate their vocal folds to produce multiple pitches simultaneously, creating rich and harmonically complex soundscapes. This ancient form of vocalization, often associated with cultures like those of Central Asia, transcends Western conventional notions of singing, offering a distinctive and captivating auditory experience.

Beatboxers, on the other hand, utilize their vocal apparatus to emulate the sounds of drum machines and other musical instruments, crafting intricate rhythms and beats through a combination of vocal percussion and mouth-generated sound effects. In hip-hop, rappers sometimes employ their voices as a dynamic tool for rapid, rhythmic delivery of lyrics, emphasizing wordplay and poetic expression. Beatboxing isn’t as popular as it once was, but there is still a rich tradition in some cultures for these talents to thrive.

Yodelers, with their characteristic alternation between chest and head voice, create a unique melodic style that is distinct from traditional singing. These non-singing vocalists, though diverging from the conventional definition of a singer, undeniably contribute to the rich tapestry of vocal artistry, showcasing the versatility and creativity inherent in the human voice.

Embarking on a career as a vocalist requires more than just a love for singing—it demands a diverse set of skills to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the music industry successfully. From mastering vocal technique to cultivating stage presence, networking, and marketing prowess, vocalists must possess a multifaceted skill set to thrive in this competitive field.

While formal education and training can provide a solid foundation, many singers also acquire essential skills through self-study, mentorship, and real-world experience. Whether pursuing a college degree in music or honing their craft independently, aspiring vocalists must develop a range of talents to make their mark and forge a sustainable career in the world of singing. Here are just a few of those skills that will be incredibly important to anyone trying to make it in this business.

Developing proper vocal technique is essential for singers to produce clear, resonant, and sustainable sounds while minimizing strain and preventing injury. This skill involves understanding breath control, vocal resonance, pitch accuracy, and vocal range. Vocalists can acquire this skill through regular practice, vocal exercises, and working with a qualified vocal coach. A solid foundation in vocal technique is crucial for singers to deliver captivating performances consistently and maintain vocal health throughout their careers.

Musicality encompasses a range of skills, including rhythm, pitch perception, phrasing, and interpretation. Singers with strong musicality can effectively convey emotion and nuance in their performances, enhancing their connection with audiences. Developing musicality involves active listening, studying various musical styles, analyzing melodies and harmonies, and practicing sight-reading and ear training exercises. A keen sense of musicality enables vocalists to express themselves creatively and adapt to diverse musical contexts.

Stage presence refers to a singer’s ability to engage and captivate audiences through their demeanor, charisma, and confidence onstage. This skill involves effective communication, body language, facial expressions, and audience interaction. Vocalists can cultivate stage presence by rehearsing performance techniques, exploring movement and expression, and gaining stage experience via years of live performances. Strong stage presence not only enhances the impact of a singer’s performance, but also fosters a memorable and compelling presence that resonates with audiences, contributing to their ongoing success as performers.

Authentic emotional expression is a hallmark of compelling vocal performances. When done correctly, it allows singers to connect with listeners on a deeper level and convey the intended mood or message of a song. This skill involves tapping into one’s own emotions, empathy, and vulnerability to infuse songs with genuine feeling and sincerity.

Vocalists can develop emotional expression through introspection, character study, improvisation, and connecting personal experiences to the lyrics of a song. Emotional authenticity resonates with audiences, creating memorable and impactful performances. Success with this skill differentiates talented vocalists from great, unforgettable singers.

Adaptability is the ability to adjust and thrive in various musical settings, genres, and performance environments. Singers with this skill can easily transition between different styles, tempos, keys, and arrangements while maintaining musical integrity and versatility. A versatile vocalist can seize a wide range of performance opportunities, expand their audience base, and remain relevant and resilient in an ever-changing music industry.

Professionalism encompasses reliability, punctuality, preparedness, and respect for colleagues, audiences, and industry professionals. Who wants to work with someone who is constantly late, or never ready?

Singers with strong professional skills can navigate the demands of the music industry with integrity, accountability, and a positive attitude. Demonstrating professionalism builds trust, credibility, and positive relationships within the industry, opening doors to new opportunities and fostering long-term success as a vocalist.

Recording skills are essential for singers to effectively capture their performances in studio environments, whether for albums, singles, demos, or other projects. Whether a vocalist wants to be the star in front, or a backup singer, the ability to sing correctly in the studio is a must for everyone.

This skill involves understanding microphone technique, studio etiquette, vocal layering, and the recording process. Vocalists will develop these recording skills as they work with experienced producers, engineers, and session musicians, as well as through independent study and practice.

Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from setbacks, rejection, and challenges inherent in the pursuit of a career in singing. All of these things are, sadly, very common in the music industry.

Singers with resilience can persevere through adversity, criticism, and the ups and downs of the business while maintaining focus, motivation, and mental well-being. Resilient vocalists can navigate the highs and lows of the music industry–of which there will be many–with grace and determination.

Singing isn’t like a regular desk job where you can simply show up and do what you’re supposed to and you’ll earn a paycheck — it takes an incredible amount of time, work, and dedication, and you’ll only be able to invest the resources necessary to learn how to be a vocalist if you are truly in love with the act of singing.

You must have a love not just for actually opening your mouth and singing, but for working on your craft. It’s the same for anyone who wants to be a top-notch guitarist or piano player. If they are aiming to be the best, they have to enjoy becoming better, and all the commitment that comes with that goal.

Sure, there will be times when your passion wanes, as is the case with everything in life, but at your core, you have to love singing to not only make it work but to be fantastic.

Making it big as a vocalist — or even just making it to a point where singing is a full-time job that pays the bills — is very tough, and chances for even the best are slim. If you are one of the lucky few who is able to get to this point in your singing career, it doesn’t mean you can rest on your success and simply coast, performing the same way you always have. You need to not only continuously improve, but you need to want to improve.

The best of the best in any field are always learning, reading, listening, and trying to become the greatest version of themselves possible. Whether they’re athletes, Writers, Actors, or vocalists, the drive to become great and gain new skills and further hone old ones is key to becoming one of the greats.

This ties back in with having a real love for what you do. If you truly do love being a vocalist, practicing and working on being better all the time won’t feel like work, it will feel like fun. You should always want to improve, no matter how fantastic you are. Even those who sell out stadiums are often wondering what they can do to rise to even greater heights.

As a vocalist, you’ll be spending a fair amount of time on stage or in the studio actually singing, which is obvious…but that will only be a fraction of the time you must devote to your job and your craft to be a great vocalist.

This is something many people who think they want to get into music (especially as performers) might not realize when they start down this path: the amount of time and hard work required to be the best is astounding, and it’s one of the many reasons why some end up leaving this profession.

You must be committed to what you’re doing. If you’re not all the way in, you’ll find it easier and easier to make excuses as to why you couldn’t practice, rehearse, or do all the little things that a vocalist must do in order to be at the top of their game.

In addition to both performing on stage and recording songs in a studio for albums, a million and one other things will take up your time, and you can’t skip any of them. You must learn your songs backward and sideways, making sure you understand everything from your breathing to your timing and so on (but more on this later).

You then have to practice, practice, practice. Even when you feel you have a good hold on the tune, more practice is always a good idea. You must then warm up and rehearse before every performance, even if it’s only in front of a few people or in a studio, where things can be corrected.

Add to this the need to travel while on tour, do promotional appearances and publicity from time to time, greet fans, and meetings with everyone and anyone who may be connected to the work you do, and it’s easy to see how much time must be devoted to being a fantastic vocalist.

To become a truly great vocalist, one must possess a steadfast commitment to putting in the hours and persevering through any obstacles that may arise. Distractions must be avoided at all costs, and work should always come first. It takes years of practice, dedication, and hard work to develop a strong and powerful voice that can truly move an audience. One must be willing to push themselves beyond their limits and take on new challenges to continue growing and improving as a singer.

All creative ventures involve a lot of hard work, but becoming a vocalist may be one of the toughest. So many people can sing, and millions wish they could rise to the top. In order to do so, there are many qualities you must possess, and you must be willing to work harder than them all.

Rising to the level of a truly great vocalist requires the ability to be open to critique and suggestions. Constructive feedback from vocal coaches, peers, critics, and even audiences can provide invaluable insight into areas of improvement and help a singer refine their technique and performance.

It is important to approach critique with an open mind. Too many people become defensive or take feedback personally. Instead, thank someone when they give you their input, even if you decide not to follow it or give it a second thought. A great vocalist must be willing to listen–in fact, eager to do so–as well as learn and make necessary adjustments to continue growing and improving. Embracing only the most constructive feedback can help a vocalist to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, ultimately leading to a stronger and more dynamic performance on stage.

Confidence is one more crucial element all great vocalists must possess. They must have confidence in their abilities, talent, and unique identity as a performer. They have to be able to project that confidence, even when it is difficult to summon. Even some of the biggest stars in the world talk about how they can be shy or even scared to step out on stage, but they do so anyway, and it’s rare that anyone can tell.

To build confidence, a great vocalist must continually challenge themselves, take risks, and push past their comfort zone. They must also have a strong sense of self-awareness and be able to accept and celebrate their individuality and unique voice. They must not only listen to applause or positive critiques, but also know deep down inside that they are great. This can’t always be taught in a classroom, but must be learned throughout life.

Another essential trait that a great vocalist must possess is determination. The road to becoming a successful vocalist is often long and challenging, and setbacks and rejection are common along the way. In fact, they’re the only sure thing.

A great vocalist must be determined enough to push through these obstacles, maintain their focus and motivation, and keep working towards their goals. A determined person will find a way to use rejections and negative feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. To fuel them, some have said.

Patience is another must-have virtue that every aspiring vocalist should develop on their journey to greatness. Learning to sing well takes time, and progress can be slow, which can be discouraging for some. In fact, it forces many out of the game, as they don’t reach their goals or reap the fruits of their labor fast enough.

The best vocalists understand that becoming great at their craft is a marathon, not a sprint. They know that there are no shortcuts to success and that consistent, dedicated practice over an extended period is the only way to achieve their goals. They understand that success in the music industry is rarely instantaneous, and building a career as a vocalist takes time, hard work, and perhaps most of all, patience.

To become a great vocalist, one must be willing to make sacrifices in their personal life. These don’t come up right away, but when they do, sometimes they’re too much for some people.

Succeeding as a vocalist often means giving up time with friends and family, as well as other opportunities and activities that may distract from the pursuit of vocal excellence. Late nights partying, drinking alcohol, and indulging in unhealthy foods can all have a negative impact on a singer’s performance, and thus must be avoided.

A great vocalist must prioritize their craft above all else and be willing to make sacrifices to achieve their goals.

Control refers to the vocalist’s ability to manipulate and regulate their vocal instrument to achieve the desired sound and expression. Control encompasses various elements, such as pitch, tone, volume, and breath support, all of which contribute to the overall quality of the performance–and some of which are discussed in greater detail below.

Achieving control requires dedicated practice and training to strengthen the vocal muscles and develop muscle memory, allowing the singer to execute precise and nuanced vocal techniques effortlessly.

Speaking of control… Breath control is a fundamental component of vocal performance, and it plays a crucial role in creating a great singing experience. To control their breathing, vocalists must develop a strong diaphragm and learn to breathe deeply and efficiently. This requires time and consistent practice, as well as an understanding of how to regulate their breathing while singing.

Without proper breath control, a singer may experience issues such as vocal strain, pitch problems, and overall vocal fatigue, ultimately leading to a less-than-stellar performance. It might not sound like a major issue to someone who doesn’t know just yet, but understanding exactly when to take a breath, as well as what kind and how large of a breath, is key to singing beautifully.

Enunciation is another important technical aspect of being a great vocalist, and it’s tougher than it sounds (joke intended). Enunciation refers to the clarity and precision with which a singer pronounces their words, allowing the audience to understand the lyrics, and therefore connect with the message of the song.

Proper enunciation involves a variety of factors, such as articulating each syllable clearly, emphasizing the appropriate consonants and vowels, and modulating the tone and pace of the delivery to match the mood of the song.

Having a good tone is an incredibly important aspect of being a great vocalist, as it directly impacts the overall quality of the performance. The tone of a singer’s voice refers to the overall sound, color, and texture of their vocals. A good tone is characterized by a smooth, clear, and resonant sound, with a balanced mix of brightness, warmth, and richness. Achieving a good tone requires a combination of natural talent, proper vocal training, and consistent practice.

In some ways, having a beautiful tone is simply something one is born with. In others, it can be learned. Some is given, but much can be earned!

Restraint is an often-overlooked aspect of being a great vocalist, but it can make a significant difference in the end. Restraint describes a singer’s ability to exercise control over the intensity and volume of their vocals, and to use silence and pauses strategically to convey emotion and expression.

Restraint also involves being able to recognize the appropriate moments to pull back and allow other instruments or voices to take the lead. A great singer must have the self-awareness and discipline to exercise restraint when necessary, ensuring that their vocals are not overpowering or distracting from the overall experience of the performance.

The best singers understand that not every moment of a song requires maximum vocal power and that sometimes, the most impactful moments can be conveyed through a softer, more subdued delivery. This seems counterintuitive to some, but while they may be talented, they’re not yet the greatest of vocalists if they don’t understand this truth.

Vocalists who have become fantastic at what they do understand the delicate balance between being loud enough to reach the back of the room and not being too loud or overpowering.

A great vocalist must have the ability to modulate their volume appropriately, depending on the dynamics of the song and the size of the venue. This involves understanding how to use proper breath support and vocal techniques to project their voice while maintaining clarity and precision in their delivery. Being loud is no good if you’re not clear!

Vocalists who know what they’re doing also understand that volume is not always about being the loudest. It’s often about finding the right level of intensity and emotion that matches the song and connects with the crowd.

As you’re learning to become a vocalist, you’ll spend a lot of time listening critically to those who have come before you. Learning by listening to the best Singers of all time is a wonderful idea, but you need to make sure you’re focusing on their technique, breathing, enunciation, timing, pacing, pronunciation and so on.

These are tips and tricks you can pick up on…but you shouldn’t copy them. Being able to mimic someone else is fun, and it can be part of a learning exercise, but if all you do when you perform is attempt to sound exactly like someone else, you’ll never become a great vocalist on your own.

As you’re learning and practicing, find out who you are as a vocalist. What does your voice really sound like, and what makes it stand out from the crowd? Some of the most successful Singers have gotten to where they are by holding true to what some might call a distinct (or, in other words, potentially odd) sound — but they made it their own and they weren’t afraid to be different.