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

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Building Your Career as a Professional Singer with these activities:

Conduct Vocal Warm-ups

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Strengthen your vocal muscles and improve your vocal range by practicing vocal warm-ups before class.

Browse courses on Vocal Techniques

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Engage in breathing exercises to strengthen your diaphragm and lungs.
Practice scales to improve your pitch and intonation.
Hum and sing vowel sounds to warm up your vocal cords.

Review essential music theory concepts

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Reviewing music theory will provide a solid foundation for understanding advanced concepts covered in this course.

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Review the basics of scales, intervals, and chords.
Practice identifying different types of scales and chords by ear.
Analyze simple melodies and chord progressions.

Watch tutorials on vocal techniques

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There are many great online tutorials on vocal techniques. Watching these tutorials will help you improve your singing skills and prepare you for live performances.

Browse courses on Vocal Health

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Find a reputable vocal coach or instructor
Watch tutorials on different vocal techniques
Practice the techniques you learn
Record yourself singing and listen back to identify areas for improvement

Nine other activities

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Practice vocal exercises daily

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Regular vocal exercises will strengthen your voice and improve your vocal range.

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Perform basic vocal exercises to warm up your voice.
Practice scales and arpeggios to improve your vocal control.
Sing along to your favorite songs to improve your pitch and timing.

Record Yourself Singing

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Evaluate your vocal abilities and identify areas for improvement by recording yourself singing.

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Choose a song that showcases your vocal range and style.
Record yourself singing the song using a high-quality microphone or recording device.
Listen back to your recording and analyze your vocal performance.

Watch tutorials on songwriting and arranging

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Watching tutorials will provide you with valuable tips and techniques for writing and arranging your own songs.

Browse courses on Songwriting

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Search for tutorials on songwriting and arranging.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key concepts.
Apply what you've learned by writing and arranging your own songs.

Start a band

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Working together with a group of musicians will help you refine your leadership skills, hone your musicality, and learn what it takes to book shows and promote your band.

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Recruit band members
Find a practice space
Write some original songs
Start gigging

Create a demo of your music

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Creating a demo of your music will help you showcase your talent and get your music heard by potential fans and industry professionals.

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Write and record a few songs
Mix and master your tracks
Create album art
Upload your demo to streaming platforms

Attend open mics and industry events

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Attending open mics and industry events will help you connect with other musicians and professionals in the music industry.

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Find open mics and industry events in your area.
Attend the events and introduce yourself to other musicians and professionals.
Exchange contact information and follow up with the people you meet.

Start a personal music project

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Working on a personal music project will give you hands-on experience in all aspects of music production.

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Choose a genre and theme for your project.
Write and record your own songs.
Produce and mix your songs using a digital audio workstation (DAW).

Attend workshops on music business and marketing

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Attending workshops on music business and marketing will help you learn the essential skills for promoting your music and building your career.

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Find workshops on music business and marketing in your area.
Attend the workshops and take notes on key concepts.
Apply what you've learned to your own music career.

Create a portfolio of your music

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Creating a portfolio will help you showcase your skills and experience as a professional singer.

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Gather your best songs and performances.
Create a website or online portfolio to showcase your work.
Include a resume and biography that highlights your skills and experience.

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Producer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artist Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vocal Coach

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Booking Agent

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Publisher

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arranger

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian