How long does it take to sing better? (with examples)

This is a super common question when it comes to learning how to sing.

I mean why wouldn’t we want to know?

If we knew how long it would take, maybe this could help us decide if learning to singing is even worth our time.

So in today’s episode, let’s break this down. I’ll share some general timelines based of my experience coaching singers and then also some perspective that may help you COMPLETELY see this question from a different angle.

So make sure to stay to the end.

Real quick! For those of you who don’t know me. My name is Ivan, I love making music and also teaching singing to students all around the world. On this newsletter my goal is to make learning to sing simple. If that’s up your lane, consider subscribing. If you want to improve your voice faster, check out the links down below for ways to work with me

If you want to inspire our next episode! Drop in the comments below what you want me to talk about next.

Let’s talk about it

So first of all, asking this question is a bit like asking

How long is a string?

It’s kinda hard to answer. There are so many variables that can affect this.

1. What’s your work ethic like?

2. What you define as better singing?

3. What are you doing to get better? Are you watching Youtube videos, are you taking lessons?

However this is the boring answer and probably not what you want.

So what I can do for you all today is share some general timelines based of students I’ve worked with around the world, and some examples from specific students to give you a better ideas. Since you know where you’re at.

General timeline

Let’s say for the average beginner. Someone who’s just getting started.

How long does it take to sound better OR at least feel like you know what you’re doing?

On average, it takes about 3 months of weekly lessons to see this change. It’s also the reason why I structure my lessons in 3 months blocks. What might help you picture this better is breaking down a typical 3 month plan for my students.

Month 1: Introducing and developing the fundamentals.

During this first month, we’ll dive into fundamentals like

1. Being on pitch

2. Time

3. Stretching your voice

4. Building control over cord closure

5. Learning to keep the vowel steady

We’ll run through scales to really help you understand what they feel like. And apply to some songs at the end.

Now for more advanced students, I’ve found that it’s still useful to revisit these fundamentals because if you’re running into the same recurring issue. I.e. high notes feel harder, not consistent with your singing. Then usually it points to these deeper fundamentals.

Month 2: Apply fundamentals throughout their range/other areas of our voice

Now that you have a good idea of what the fundamentals are. We start finding it parts of your voice where your fundamentals aren’t as strong. Higher notes, adding variations like sustains, repeating notes, different sounds.

Here we also tend to incorporate even more song-work

For my advanced students, we’ll often be using much harder variations.

Month 3: Usually we’ll focus on sounding good. Having good technique makes your voice feel easier. But it doesn’t mean you automatically sound good.

This happens through training my students to sing into the pocket. Which is learning the correct colours/stylistically choices to make to sound good in their songs.

For my advanced students, we’ll simply be choosing harder songs

Specific examples

So this is a very loose timeline! But every student is different. Let’s dive into some more specific and actual before/afters to give you a better timeline. Since you might know where you are at.

1) Justin

• This transformation took about 1 month

• Was already a great singer before we worked together

• Just had some trouble/bad habits with his higher range

• Literally took us a few lessons to get it down

2) Jon

• Had more trouble with the fundamentals

• Understanding what pitch was

• At this point was about 4-5 months

Shifting your focus

Okay so now that I’ve given you some rough timelines and some specific examples.

Last point I want to make is shifting your focus.

Whilst I get this question and it is super common. I want to encourage you to think a bit deeper.

Why is it actually important for you to know the answer to this question?

Also why not change your focus. I mean the real goal here is you want to get better at singing.

Whether it takes 3 months, 5 months, 6 years. It’s hard to say.

What you can control though is 2 things

1) Your input

Sure the outcome is to sing well in X amount of weeks, months year.

But the only real thing you can control is your input.

Are you practising consistently?

When you’re practising, are you doing it mindlessly or deliberately?

Are you getting guidance from the right people.

These are things you actually have control of.

2) Keeping perspective.

Learning to sing takes time. That’s why it’s so important for us to take perspective.

For examples here’s a question for you.

If it took twice as long to sing at the level you want. Would this still be worth for you?

If something is really important to you. The answer should still be yes.

Also consider this, if you just consistently practiced and got good guidance for the next 5-10 years. Where do you think your voice could be?

Anyway, just some food for thought.

Anyway that’s a wrap team! Hope you’ve found value out of this episode. If you did, please share this with a friend or on your social media. It really helps this channel grow and would mean the world to me.

Also if you’re looking for some tailored/specific help. I’ve got ways to study with me down in the description. Apart from that, my name is Ivan - I’m your voice teacher and I’ll see you next Thursday/Friday for our weekly episodes.

Take care!

Extra Links/Resources

🌍 Book Private Singing Lessons here: https://calendly.com/singingsimply 

🌍 Step By Step Singing Course: https://www.singingsimply.com/courses/singing-fundamentals 

🌍 Stream my music: https://linktr.ee/singingsimply

🌍 Business/other inquiries: [email protected]