The #1 Question About Singing
The number one question we get asked as voice teachers is, “How can I find my voice?” Well, the good news is that it’s already found! Only you sound like you, and we believe that is one of the best reasons to share your voice with the world. That’s why, at Arabella’s Voice Studio, we don’t just help you “find” your voice—we celebrate the one that’s already within you.
Different Vibes
Everyone has a unique timbre to their voice, meaning everyone has a distinct tone or way of producing sound. This uniqueness comes from the individual shape and size of your head, lungs, and vocal tract, which essentially acts as a vocal fingerprint for each singer. In fact, when you say “Hey Siri!” or “Hey Alexa,” this is how your device knows how to respond to you.
“Imitation is the Best Form of Flattery”
Often, singers say, “I sing a lot of [insert favorite artist’s name] songs, but I don’t know how to make them my own.” To that we say, you’re doing exactly the right thing! Imitating is a great step to finding your own voice.
We learn to talk by listening, copying, and trying—singing is no different! Find your top three artists and listen, copy, and sing. Here are our top suggestions on how to develop your active listening skills:
- Find your favorite song.
- Listen: The trickiest part of this step is not to sing along! To actively listen, avoid singing along, as it can lead to unnecessary multitasking. We want you focused solely on the song.
- Analyze: Ask yourself, what is unique about this voice? What do you like about it? Would there be anything in your own performance you would change?
- Start singing: Finally, try singing the song exactly as it’s performed, note by note, measure by measure. This will help build your musical vocabulary, adding tools to your musical toolbox. Before you know it, you’ll be styling your top riffs and runs in no time.
To Err is Human
Finally, we’re going to contradict ourselves a little. In the previous step, we told you to copy exactly, but as the saying goes, “To err is human,” and chances are you won’t copy everything perfectly—and that’s okay! If you make a mistake, go with it. Instead of viewing mistakes as errors, we can see them as “just a different take.” What may have started as a change in the melody could turn into a very cool solo moment. Part of finding your voice is letting go and exploring.
Work with a Coach
One of the best things you can do if you’re trying to “find your voice” is to collaborate with another singer or work with a vocal coach. A good coach will not only guide you technically—helping you with pitch, breath control, and vocal range—but will also support you in discovering the uniqueness of your voice. The right feedback can challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and experiment, allowing you to uncover hidden talents you didn’t know you had. This journey of exploration and discovery can be one of the most exciting parts of developing your own artistic identity as a vocalist.