Are singers born or made? | Sydney Vocal Academy (2024)

July 25, 2019

The saying, “maybe she’s born with it?” is often thrown around when discussing talented people. However, here at SVA we ask the question are singers really born, or can they be made? Is singing something you just happen to be good at, or can it be worked on as a skill over time? We are convinced it is the latter and we have attached a step by step practice to transform yourself into an even better singer!

Deep practice can refine your singing abilities

It can be very annoying when we as singers attempt to hit show-stopping high notes, yet fail dismally. However, in order to refine our skills, hit the high notes and become an all-round better singer. We must work hard and engage in ‘deep practice’. It is not enough just to rely on genetic luck or natural talent, as it is often referred to. Instead, if an individual practices, and works up to something difficult over time, this will help to refine our singing skills. Eventually, these positive practice techniques will become habits which form into smooth skills and singing abilities… so next time you try to hit a high note or try something difficult, just remember to engage in deep practice and this will help you to transform into the singer you have always wished to be!

Are singers born or made? | Sydney Vocal Academy (1)

Know what suits your voice

Whilst anyone can be made into an amazing singer, it is important that singers choose songs that are well suited to their voice. In order to sing well, it’s important to sing in a style that you are comfortable with and suits your voice. If you are unsure, trial a few different genres – musical theatre, jazz, ballads… Why not try perform to your family and get their opinion on what best suits you!

To become a better singer, you need to become a better performer

Often some of the most amazing singers are equally as good at performing. A simple way to become a better performer is not only just to perform to your friends and family as possible but to really immerse yourself into the character who sings the song. It may feel and seem silly, but this will help to connect with the audience. Some good ways to get into the character is to understand the whole experience of the character. Before singing the song were they happy or sad? Were they angry or annoyed? It is important that you know the context of the song so you can sing with the right type of emotion. Another fun way to get into the role of the character is to perhaps wear or bring something they would have! Do they have a prop as they sang the song? Do they happen to be wearing an extravagant costume? It’s important to consider all these factors as this can make the performance that little bit more exciting for the audience!

So there you have it – the theory of being “born with it” has been debunked! Amazing singers aren’t necessarily born but can be created over time with hours of dedication and practice.

Are singers born or made? | Sydney Vocal Academy (2024)

FAQs

Are singers born or trained? ›

Singing can come more naturally to some, but having a good voice isn't something that's determined from the moment you're born. Singing is something that can be learnt, taught, and developed.

Are you born with singing talent? ›

Singing falls into the same category. Some people are born with a natural ability due to genetics and seem to find a perfect pitch easily. But broadly speaking, singing is more of a learned skill than a natural one. Most people who can sing well learn how to do so at some point in their lives.

Can you become good at singing or are you born with it? ›

A person's voice can almost always be improved with effort. Though we often think of singing as a talent, it is also a skill. In the same way that you can build muscle by exercising in a gym or master cooking by learning the right recipes, you can become a good singer by practicing and learning the right techniques.

Is singing genetic or learned? ›

The data showed that genes play a big role. About 40 per cent of singing ability is heritable – shared between the twins with identical DNA. But there is also a correlation in singing ability in twins who do not have identical DNA, and it is almost as strong.

Is singing a gift or talent? ›

“This person is so gifted”. “He has a rare gift”. Singing is widely thought to be a talent. Something you are born with.

Are most singers self taught? ›

While it helps to have a voice teacher, not everyone can afford voice lessons and there might also not be a good teacher in your area who is available. Of course, there are many well-known singers who were self-taught. Elton John, David Bowie, Prince, Louis Armstrong, The Beatles, the list goes on.

At what age is your singing voice fully developed? ›

The biggest changes to your voice will happen during puberty and will usually end by the age of 18. Your adult pitch is then reached 2 or 3 years later. But your voice won't completely stabilise until early adulthood. Your voice can carry on changing through your 20's, and even into your 30's.

Can someone with a bad voice learn to sing? ›

Even if you have a “bad” singing voice in the beginning, the truth is that once you understand the basics and establish good practice routines, you'll become a much better singer. You'll also come to appreciate the uniqueness of your voice! Here are 3 tips to remember when deciding whether you should pursue singing.

Is it true everyone can sing? ›

Of course, the short answer is “yes” and this applies to about 98.5% of the general population. Voice is considered an instrument, and most people have the ability to learn an instrument, so the same holds true for voice. This means there are very few people who couldn't learn to sing if they tried.

What percentage of people can sing? ›

Did you know that research has showed that only 4 percent of people are tone deaf, meaning they cannot listen to a note and sing the same note back? This means that for the other 96 percent of us, singing is a skill we can learn.

How do you know if you can sing? ›

To know if you can sing, try taking an online tone-deaf test to see if you struggle with pitch, tone, and rhythm. You can also try asking a friend or family member you trust to listen to your singing voice and give you their honest opinion.

Is it rare to have a good singing voice? ›

While some rare individuals seem born to sing, it's not common. Most professional singers have worked hard to learn to use their instrument. Not all styles of singing require the same type of vocal production, but you can learn to develop your voice and understand what is needed to sing the music you want to learn.

Is a good singing voice attractive? ›

This evidence suggests that singing can play a role in human mate attraction. Research on singing attractiveness is important because there are both similarities and differences between human speaking and singing. Thus, we are largely unaware of how people may react to singing voices.

What are the odds of being able to sing? ›

You and about 98.5% of the population absolutely can be taught how to sing. And the rest? Well, according to a recent Canadian study, about 1.5% of the population suffer from a condition called “congenital amusia.” They have real difficulty discriminating between different pitches, tone, and sometimes rhythm.

Is my voice suitable for singing? ›

How do you know if your singing voice is good enough? Good enough is pretty subjective, but as a musician there are a few things I listen for: 1) Intonation - whether you're on pitch or sharp/flat. 2) Timbre - the quality of your voice.

Can you become a good singer or is it natural? ›

Singing is a natural gift, but it also takes work to improve. An individual with a little bit of talent can go much further than someone with a lot of talent who doesn't work to develop it. No matter where you fall on the talent spectrum, rest assured that your hard work and practice will pay off in the end.

Are all singers professionally trained? ›

Maybe some do, and consistently, but they are a small percentage. A majority of singers benefit enormously from vocal training. Learning to balance a good singing technique, with expression and emotion is imperative to increase the range and power of your voice.

Can anyone train to be a singer? ›

Yes, with practice and the right training, any regular person can hone their singing skills to become proficient.

How are singers trained? ›

The simplest answer is to practice. Just like learning an instrument, a language, a skill, or anything else in life, the best way to become better is to continue training. Study vocal exercises, work with a teacher, sing on your own or for others…all of it helps, as long as you're doing things correctly.

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