Step #5: Build Your Skills

BUILD ANY OTHER SKILL SETS YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

Just like learning to sing and perform in front of people is its own skill set, there are other skills that might useful to learn that will help you on your singing journey.

Figure out what other skills you need to learn to move forward with your goals, and start working on them!

IF YOU WANT TO DO MUSICAL THEATER...

For example, if you want to perform musical theater you need to do more then sing well. You also need to act well, and dance with some proficiency. See if you can find an acting class or an acting coach to help you figure out your castability because of your look, voice, and energy. They can also help you find good monologues.

Also, take some dance classes to improve your dance technique and help you to pick choreography faster.  This will also help your ability to sing after intense dance movement which can leave you out of breath.

IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ARTIST...

If you want to become a recording artist, you need to be able to write original songs and collaborate with other artists, writers, musicians and producers.

You need to start learning how to write songs, and you may even want to pick up basics on an instrument like guitar or piano and learn some basic music theory and chords. Studying the course Music Theory for Songwriters: The Fundamentals on LinkedIn Learning is a great place to start!

A great way to meet fellow artists and songwriters is an organization called the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

It helps aspiring artists and writers to learn the craft of writing better songs, and the business of songwriting.

With it's membership you have monthly meetings where you can meet with fellow artists and writers, and get some feedback on your original songs in the group. You can also get feedback from professional writers in Nashville.

It's a great way to start writing better songs and meeting like-minded artists and writers!

IF YOU WANT TO MASTER YOUR MUSIC THEORY...

If you to need to hone your music theory or sight singing skills, here is a great resource! Gerald White is a professional studio session singer in LA with an unbelievable resume! He has created a great program where you can take a deep dive on music theory, train your ear, and master your sight singing skills.

These are great skills for anybody singing in choirs, casts or ensembles, anyone interested in studio session work, and anyone interested in music literacy.

ACTIONS STEPS - TIPS AND HACKS

STEP #5: BUILD YOUR SKILLS

• Figure out your ultimate goal!
• If you're in musical theater, make sure your studying singing, and also studying acting and dance.
• If you're an artist, figure what your next step needs to be to create original music, like finding a cowriter, finding a music producer, going to open mics or attending NSAI .
• Take guitar, piano or sightsinging lessons.
• In today’s day and age, it’s helpful for everyone to pick up some basic video and music recording skills. LinkedIn Learning has some great courses. 

Let's support each other as we make this journey together! No one has to do this journey alone.

- Anjanette