Building Your Career as a Professional Singer from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Building Your Career as a Professional Singer!

Welcome to the course! In this first module, we will cover all of the details about this course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Lesson 1: What is a Professional Vocalist?

In our first lesson, we will start by defining what is the difference between an amateur and professional vocalist. This will help us identify the goals you want to pursue as a singer in the music industry. We will also look at the basics of becoming an entrepreneur and building a resume for vocalist jobs. By the end of this lesson, you will have a list of possible job opportunities, and assessment of your current skill level, and a rough draft of a vocalist resume.

Lesson 2: Getting into the Music

For our second lesson, we will begin to look at the musical knowledge you need to know in order to be a reliable and essential vocalist. We will start by learning about common song forms before analyzing song elements to discover how to change a song style to better fit our musical preferences. Finally, we will identify the best keys for your voice and practice writing our own chord charts. At the end of this lesson you will practice taking existing chord charts and change them to a different musical style.

Lesson 3: Leading a Band

If you want to be a professional vocalist, it is essential to understand how to lead a band. Your instrumentalists will be looking to you to provide insight on how the music should be played and for someone to lead the rehearsals effectively. In this lesson we will focus on different aspects of leading a band, from conducting to score study to rehearsal scheduling. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify your leadership strengths and weaknesses, practice giving specific feedback to your band, and organize the logistics necessary to have an effective rehearsal.

Lesson 4: Essentials of a Successful Professional Career

Now that we have covered the basics of starting a professional career as a vocalist, our final lesson will focus on how to maintain and grow your career. In this lesson, we will discuss vocal health, performance skills, gigging, and management. By the end of this lesson, you will know several vocal warm-ups, how to practice your stage presence, how to book a gig, and understand the pros and cons of hiring an outside manager.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills in leading a band and booking gigs

Taught by Ashlee Varner, who is recognized for their experience as a vocalist

Examines the core skills for professional singers, such as musicianship, song arrangement, and financial management

Offers a roadmap for building a career as a professional singer, including steps and milestones

Provides insight on how to secure gigs and manage finances

May require additional resources or materials to take this course

Career center

Learners who complete Building Your Career as a Professional Singer will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Director

Music Directors lead and conduct musical groups, such as orchestras, bands, and choirs. They are responsible for interpreting musical scores, rehearsing musicians, and ensuring that performances are of the highest quality. This course can help Music Directors develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to lead a band, arrange songs, and manage finances.

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Musician

Musicians perform music on a variety of instruments. They may work as soloists, in bands, or in orchestras. This course can help Musicians develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to arrange songs, record demos, and manage their finances.

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Producer

Producers oversee the production of music recordings. They work with musicians, engineers, and other professionals to ensure that the final product meets the artist's vision. This course can help Producers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to arrange songs, manage finances, and lead a band.

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Artist Manager

Artist Managers represent and support musicians. They help artists book gigs, negotiate contracts, and develop their careers. This course can help Artist Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to manage finances, book gigs, and lead a band.

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Vocal Coach

Vocal Coaches provide instruction and guidance to singers. They help singers develop their vocal technique, improve their range, and prepare for performances. This course can help Vocal Coaches develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to teach vocal technique, assess vocal health, and manage a studio.

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Booking Agent

Booking Agents arrange live performances for musicians. They work with venues, promoters, and artists to ensure that artists have a successful tour. This course can help Booking Agents develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to book gigs, manage finances, and lead a band.

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Music Publisher

Music Publishers acquire and license copyrights to musical compositions. They work with songwriters, composers, and artists to ensure that their music is properly protected and promoted. This course can help Music Publishers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to manage finances, arrange songs, and understand the music industry.

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Music Journalist

Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They interview artists, review concerts, and provide commentary on the latest trends in the music industry. This course can help Music Journalists develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to conduct interviews, write reviews, and understand the music industry.

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Music Educator

Music Educators teach music in schools, colleges, and universities. They develop and implement lesson plans, teach students about music theory and history, and lead ensembles. This course can help Music Educators develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to teach music theory, lead a band, and manage a classroom.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They work with patients in hospitals, clinics, and schools. This course can help Music Therapists develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to assess vocal health, lead a group, and understand the music therapy process.

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Composer

Composers write music for a variety of purposes, such as film, television, and video games. They may work independently or collaborate with other musicians. This course can help Composers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to write music, arrange songs, and understand the music industry.

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Songwriter

Songwriters write the lyrics and music for songs. They may work independently or collaborate with other musicians. This course can help Songwriters develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to write songs, arrange songs, and understand the music industry.

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Arranger

Arrangers take existing music and adapt it for a different ensemble or instrument. They may also write new music for a specific purpose. This course can help Arrangers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to arrange songs, write music, and understand the music industry.

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Sound Engineer

Sound Engineers record, mix, and master audio. They work in a variety of settings, such as recording studios, live music venues, and film and television production companies. This course may be useful for Sound Engineers who want to learn more about the music industry and how to work with musicians.

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Music Librarian

Music Librarians organize and maintain music collections in libraries and archives. They may also provide reference services to researchers and the general public. This course may be useful for Music Librarians who want to learn more about the music industry and how to work with musicians.

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