How to Sing Like Your Favorite Singer: 12 Tips for Beginners

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Have you ever watched your favorite singer on stage and wondered how to sing like them? Maybe you want to join a choir, perform at an open mic night, or simply feel confident singing Happy Birthday at parties. These dreams are completely normal, and the best part is that they can become reality.

The truth is that learning how to sing is possible for almost everyone. Unlike what many people believe, singing is not just a natural gift. It is a skill you can develop through practice, just like learning to play sports or cook. Research shows that most people can learn to match pitch and improve their voice quality.

If you want to know how to sing well like a singer, you are in the right place. In this article, we will share some guides and tips you need to know to improve your voice at home. We gathered the information from various sources, Wednesday (3/9/2025).

Learning how to sing starts with understanding the basics. These essential tips will give you a solid foundation and help you develop good habits from the beginning.

1. Focus on Your Posture

Your body position affects how well you can sing. Stand tall with your feet flat on the floor, about as wide as your shoulders. Let your arms hang naturally at your sides. Keep your chin parallel to the ground and imagine a balloon lifting the top of your head. This position helps your breathing and gives your voice more power.

2. Master Diaphragm Breathing

Learning to breathe correctly is the most important part of singing. Place one hand on your chest and another on your belly. When you breathe in, your belly should expand while your chest stays still. This type of breathing gives you better control and a stronger sound when you sing.

3. Work on Pitch Accuracy

Pitch is how high or low a note sounds. To improve your pitch, start by humming simple melodies you know well. You can use a piano app or online tool to check if you are singing the right notes. Practice matching single notes before trying to sing entire songs.

4. Discover Your Voice Type

Every person has a different vocal range - the notes they can sing from lowest to highest. Find your comfortable range by starting with a middle note and going slowly up and down until you reach your limits. This knowledge helps you pick suitable songs and avoid straining your voice.

5. Pay Attention to Mouth Position

Your mouth shape affects the quality of your sound. Open your mouth wider than normal, about the width of two fingers between your teeth. Keep your lips relaxed and avoid making your mouth too tight. This creates more space for your voice to resonate properly.

6. Keep Your Body Relaxed

Tension anywhere in your body can make singing more difficult. Check that your shoulders are not raised, your jaw is loose, and your tongue is resting comfortably. If you feel tightness, take a moment to stretch and relax before continuing.

7. Pick Appropriate Songs

Choose songs that fit your current abilities. Avoid picking music that is too challenging or outside your vocal range. Start with simple melodies and lyrics you can sing comfortably. As you improve, you can gradually try more difficult pieces.

8. Practice Clear Pronunciation

Good singers pronounce their words clearly so listeners can understand the lyrics. Practice speaking the words of a song before singing it. Focus on making clean consonant sounds and well-shaped vowels. This makes your performance more professional and engaging.

9. Use Technology to Help

Record yourself singing using your phone or computer. Listening to recordings helps you hear your voice objectively and identify areas for improvement. You can also use apps that help with pitch training and vocal exercises.

10. Connect Speaking and Singing

Your singing voice should feel natural, like an extension of your speaking voice. Practice saying song lyrics with expression and emotion, then gradually add melody. This approach helps you avoid artificial-sounding vocals.

11. Understand Voice Registers

Your voice has different parts called registers. Chest voice produces lower, fuller sounds, while head voice creates higher, lighter tones. Practice using both registers separately, then work on blending them smoothly for a complete sound.

12. Set Realistic Expectations

Developing your singing voice takes time and regular practice. Do not expect to sound perfect immediately. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate your progress along the way. Remember that even professional singers spent years developing their skills.

Your vocal cords are delicate and need proper care to stay healthy. Following these voice care tips will help you maintain your singing ability for many years.

1. Stay Well Hydrated

Water is essential for healthy vocal cords. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, not just when you are singing. Your vocal cords work best when they are properly moistened. Avoid excessive amounts of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, as these can dry out your voice.

2. Get Quality Sleep

Rest is crucial for vocal recovery. When you are tired, your voice is more likely to get strained or injured. Make sure you get enough sleep, especially before important singing activities. Your vocal cords need time to recover after use.

3. Control Your Environment

Dry air can irritate your vocal cords and make singing more difficult. Use a humidifier in your home, especially during the winter months or in air-conditioned spaces. Try to avoid environments with excessive dust, smoke, or strong chemicals.

4. Limit Throat Clearing

Constantly clearing your throat can irritate your vocal cords. Instead, try swallowing or taking small sips of water. If you feel the need to cough, do it as gently as possible. Frequent throat clearing can cause inflammation and affect your voice quality.

5. Protect Against Harmful Substances

Never smoke or use tobacco products, as these cause serious damage to your vocal cords. Also, avoid breathing in secondhand smoke when possible. These substances can cause permanent harm to your voice and significantly reduce your singing ability.

Just like athletes stretch before exercise, singers need to prepare their voices before performing. These warm-up exercises will help you sing better and prevent vocal injury.

1. Begin with Gentle Humming

Start your warm-up with soft humming sounds. Keep your mouth closed and make a comfortable "mmm" sound. Gradually move up and down through your vocal range. This exercise gently activates your vocal cords without putting too much pressure on them.

2. Try Lip Vibration Exercises

Press your lips together lightly and blow air through them to create a vibrating sound, like a horse snorting. You can add different pitches to this exercise. Lip vibrations help improve breath control and relax tension in your face and throat.

3. Practice Gentle Stretching

Stretch your neck, shoulders, and face muscles before singing. Roll your shoulders backward and forward, gently move your head from side to side, and massage your jaw muscles. This physical preparation helps your entire body work together for better singing.

4. Use Sliding Sounds

Make smooth "oo" or "ah" sounds that slide from low to high pitches and back down, like a siren. This exercise helps your voice move smoothly between different notes and prepares your vocal cords for more complex melodies.

5. Work on Articulation

Practice tongue twisters or speak clearly through different syllable combinations. This prepares your mouth and tongue for clear pronunciation during singing. Good articulation warm-ups help you pronounce words clearly and avoid mumbling.

Avoiding bad habits is just as important as developing good ones. These common mistakes can damage your voice or slow down your improvement as a singer.

1. Never Push Through Pain

If your throat hurts or feels uncomfortable while singing, stop immediately. Pain is your body's warning signal that something is wrong. Continuing to sing through pain can cause serious and sometimes permanent damage to your vocal cords.

2. Don't Strain for High Notes

Avoid forcing your voice to reach notes that feel uncomfortable. Straining can damage your vocal cords and actually make high notes harder to achieve. Instead, work gradually to expand your range through proper technique and regular practice.

3. Avoid Singing Without Preparation

Never start singing difficult songs without warming up your voice first. Cold muscles are more likely to get injured, and this includes your vocal muscles. Always spend at least 10-15 minutes preparing your voice before serious singing practice.

4. Don't Tense Your Neck and Chin

Many singers lift their chins up when trying to reach high notes, but this actually makes singing more difficult. Keep your head in a neutral position and avoid creating tension in your neck muscles. Relaxation leads to better sound production.

5. Avoid Improper Breathing Habits

Don't hold your breath while singing or take shallow breaths from your chest only. These habits limit your vocal power and create unnecessary tension. Focus on maintaining steady, deep breathing throughout your singing.

6. Never Ignore Your Voice's Limits

Do not try to sing like someone with a completely different voice type from yours. Respect your natural vocal range and characteristics. Pushing your voice to sound exactly like another singer can lead to strain and prevent you from developing your own unique sound.