How to Become a Professional Singer: Training & Career Guide
Are you an aspiring singer looking for the right ways to approach the career path?
Despite what social media might be telling you, artists and their creativity are not going anywhere, and the rapid innovations are, in fact, opening up whole new possibilities for musicians to explore the craft in their own ways.
This article will take you through a comprehensive guide on how to become a professional singer and provide all the information you need to pursue your dream career.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Become A Professional Singer
Follow this beginner-friendly guide to start your career on the right note!
- Learn How to Improve Your Singing Skills
- Vocal Exercises and Warming Up
Do you want free career counseling?
Ignite Your Ambitions- Seize the Opportunity for a Free Career Counseling Session.
- 30+ Years in Education
- 250+ Faculties
- 30K+ Alumni Network
- 10th in World Ranking
- 1000+ Celebrity
- 120+ Countries Students Enrolled
Warming up for a good 10-20 minutes with vocal and breathing exercises prepares your voice for more versatile singing.
This will ensure your voice doesn’t break while reaching higher notes and help you expand your vocal range, avoid injuries, and maintain your vocal health.
- Train Your Ears
Learning to listen critically is an important skill that every singer needs to master. It helps improve pronunciation and develop a sense of pitch.
Book Now →
Listening to a variety of music will let you learn songs easily, improvise proficiently, accurately follow tunes, and precisely control your vocal range.
- Regular Practice
Singing requires discipline, tenacity, and regular practice.
Regular practice will allow you to develop musical maturity, build confidence, refine vocal techniques, and improve pitch accuracy and listening skills.
Do you want free career counseling?
Ignite Your Ambitions- Seize the Opportunity for a Free Career Counseling Session.- Take Formal Training
Formal training can include enrolling in music conservatories, learning from a mentor, or taking music classes to develop foundational skills.
As an aspiring singer, this will help you hone the basic skills, understand the nuances of different types of music, learn relevant instruments, and explore your interests freely.
It’s the first step towards building a thriving professional career in singing!
- Enroll in Music Courses to Start Your Singing Career
While professional courses are not a mandatory requirement to become a singer in India, these are designed to refine your skills, provide the right knowledge and industry access, helping you build a portfolio.
Want to pursue a music course professionally after 12th? Here are some popular courses you can check out –
- BA in Indian Classical Music – Vocal (3 Years)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts or BFA in Music (3-4 Years)
- Bachelor’s in Performing Arts – Music (3-4 Years)
- B.Mus or Bachelor of Music (3-4 Years)
The contents of these courses might vary based on specializations and duration; however, some of the key areas you will explore include –
- History and Evolution of Music
- Indian and Western Classical Music
- Ragas and Gharanas in Indian Music
- Singing for a Live Audience
- Playback Singing
- Basics of Music Composition and Production
- Analyzing Tonal Music
- Get Some Hands-on Experience
Practical experiences are important to develop confidence, overcome stage fright, and enhance presence during performances.
Attending workshops, participating in competitions, and working with industry experts will help you understand how the industry functions, develop applied skills, and get familiar with recording studios and equipment.
You can also work with fellow musicians, composers, vocalists, and sound designers to create unique songs that reflect your style and explorations with different forms and genres.
- Portfolio For Singers – What to Include and How to Present
Your portfolio needs to precisely represent what you, as a singer, will bring to the table.
We have shortlisted some tips to build the perfect, foolproof portfolio you need in 2025 –
- Create a demo reel that includes videos of your performances, BTS of making a song, and very brief clips of how you prepare for it.
- Include 2-3 lines about yourself and attach concept notes to each project for better understanding.
- Attach high-quality audio and videos, recordings of live performances, and any original compositions that you might have.
- Don’t forget to include the link to your website and official social media account to highlight your online presence.
- Network for Expansive Career Opportunities
As a creative professional, networking will allow you to build meaningful connections and be a part of the larger music community.
Attend events, online sessions, and workshops to network with industry experts.
Follow professionals you look up to on social media and interact with their posts and online work, and collaborate with peers to share industry insights.
- Build A Personal Brand
Use social media to post snippets of your work, optimize the algorithm to increase your reach and visibility, and interact with people to get feedback.
An official Instagram account, for instance, can not only act as a medium to connect with music lovers but can also help you get discovered and expand your creative horizons.
How long does it take to become a professional singer?
While there is no set timeline, it can take you anywhere between 3-5 years or more to establish yourself as a professional singer after you have completed formal training. Staying focused and practicing your skills under coaches and mentors is key to enhancing your qualities and get a breakthrough in your career!
How much does a music course cost?
In India, a bachelor’s degree in music will cost you about ₹1,00,000 – ₹15,00,000, while diplomas might cost between ₹15,000 and ₹7,50,000.
How do I earn money as a new singer?
You can start with singing at local diners, pubs, cafes, and open mics, or at weddings and other functions to increase visibility and create an initial listener base.
Launch A Successful Singing Career in 2025
With new streaming platforms and indie artists getting more mainstream traction, singing is a lucrative career with lots of new opportunities.
To start your singing career, join a music school and explore different genres, forms, styles, and techniques dominating the industry.
Start your professional journey by enrolling at AAFT and learn music production, composition, classical singing, and more with expert faculty members and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Read Also:
AAFT has been providing the world with limitless creativity and expression since 1993! Through a dynamic and industry-driven curriculum, AAFT provides engaging and captivating articles to persuasive blogs and empowers its readers to explore diverse avenues of creative media education-related content.
