Copying Your Favorite Singer Won't Help You Grow as a Vocalist

Many singers tend to listen to their favorite artist and copy their sound when learning how to sing. In today's episode, you'll discover why that isn't the best approach to develop yourself as a vocalist and what to do instead!

As a vocal coach, I work with passionate singers like you who love to sing but might feel they need to be better or struggle with certain aspects of their voice. If you've ever found yourself imitating Adele or Sam Smith in hopes of achieving their magical vocal prowess, stick around because we're about to explore why there might be better approaches to your singing journey.

Mirroring syndrome

Now, I understand the instinct to copy. From our early days as children, we learn by mirroring – copying our parents, teachers, and society. It's how we know to walk, talk, and, in a singer's case, perhaps mimic our favorite artists. However, when it comes to singing, mirroring might not be the most efficient way to unlock your true potential.

Why? Well, your voice is as unique as a snowflake, and what works for Adele might not work for you. While there are some universal principles in singing, such as vocal cord vibrations producing sound, the techniques to achieve those sounds can vary significantly from person to person.

Let's take Amy Winehouse as an example. Her soulful voice is iconic, and if you're trying to sing one of her songs, you might notice she often uses the "twang" technique. Now, while you could mimic her, twang might not be the technique that fits you personally. Your unique voice could benefit more from a different approach to get to the same sound, for example: using your mixed voice.

In a nutshell...

Here's the key: the result – singing the song you love – might be the same, but the journey there will be different for each singer. It's about finding the techniques that work for YOU, considering how your voice sounds, the emotions you want to convey, and what feels comfortable and authentic.

A "backpack" full of vocal techniques

So, instead of copying your favorite artists endlessly, let's build your "vocal technique backpack".

Imagine we're climbing a mountain together, and in our metaphorical backpack, we have tools like twang, mixed voice, and various vocal techniques. When you encounter a roadblock in your singing journey, it's time to open up that backpack and experiment with different tools.

For instance, try reaching for twang if you're struggling with high notes in a song. If it doesn't quite fit, put it back and explore your mixed voice. Tailoring your technique to your unique voice and singing goals is key.

And guess what? I have a free training coming up to help you kickstart this journey. This training will give you the most important vocal technique to sing freely. Click here to register for this free training.

Up for a challenge?

Your homework for today: pick a song, sing it in your way, and use your vocal technique backpack to overcome any challenges you face – be it high notes, low notes, riffs, or vibrato. And if you're eager to dive deeper into the world of singing, consider joining The Singing Insiders, our vibrant community where you can learn, get feedback, and grow as a singer.

Thanks for hanging out with me today! I hope this perspective shift has sparked something within you. Remember, it's your unique voice that makes you special.

See you next week!