4 Mistakes Beginner Singers Make (And How to Fix Them)
Let’s be clear: great singing takes time and practice. But don’t let that discourage you! In fact, there are four common mistakes beginner singers make that you can correct right away — if you know about them.
1. Not Breathing in Time
Good singing starts before you even sing the first note. Make sure you take a deep, relaxed breath (don’t suck the air in!) before singing. Also, think of the starting note in your head to avoid surprises. This will help you begin with control and confidence.
2. Choosing Songs That Are Too Difficult
You need to be able to walk before you can run. Attempting difficult songs before developing a solid singing technique can backfire. Songs that are too challenging won’t just sound questionable — they may also slow your progress.
We all have different vocal habits. If you repeatedly practice a difficult song with bad habits, those habits will become even harder to break.
It’s generally better to start with songs that feel manageable — ones with a few challenging spots but where you can sing most of the song with good technique. So what makes a song too difficult for a beginner? Watch out for:
Heavy belting (like the powerful sound Adele makes!)
Fast-moving melodies that require a lot of vocal agility
Notes outside your vocal range (too low or too high)
3. Singing Sloppily
Many beginners — often without realizing it — are a bit careless with pitch and melody. It’s not necessarily that they can’t sing in tune, but they might alter notes, slide into pitches, or add extra embellishments that aren’t in the original song.
Experienced singers do this too, but with precision. As a beginner, it’s best to focus on singing the song exactly as written before adding your own stylistic choices. Prioritize accuracy in pitch, tone quality, and rhythm first.
4. Using the Wrong Vocal Exercises
If you're a beginner, you might not know which exercises will help your unique voice. Yet, many people turn to random YouTube videos full of exercises without understanding their purpose.
This is like doing a random gym workout without knowing which muscles need strengthening. With physical fitness, you can often tell what needs work — if your biceps are weak, bicep curls will help. But with singing, it’s different. Vocal exercises activate muscles you can’t see, and doing the wrong ones can make your challenges even worse. You could even increase the frequency of voice cracks, instead of smoothing out your voice.
So, what’s the solution?
The fastest way to find the right exercises for your voice is to join the Singable Toolbox membership. As a member, you can record voice samples that a qualified vocal coach will analyze to create a personalized vocal warm-up and workout tailored to your needs. Most singers spend years figuring out how to train their voices — this is your chance to get a head start!
“Applying Singable Toolbox methods has improved my singing in just a few weeks.”
