The Cambridge Dictionary defines a “vocalist” as “a person who sings, especially with a group who play popular music.”
A vocalist is more than just a singer, and a vocalist can include other types of artists than just singers. A vocalist can include throat singers, beatboxers, yodelers, and more.
The goal of a vocalist is to evoke emotion in their audience through their skillset, their performance, and telling a story within the music.
The terms “vocalist” and “singer” are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between the two. Let’s talk about them.
A vocalist is often seen as a more specialized singer. While all vocalists are singers, not all singers are necessarily vocalists.
The term “vocalist” implies a higher level of technical proficiency and professional training. Vocalists are typically trained in vocal techniques specific to their genre and style of singing, and they may have a deeper understanding of music theory, vocal control, and performance than someone who’s not considered a vocalist.
They often perform in more complex musical settings, like jazz ensembles, opera, or in a choir.
A singer is someone who uses their voice to sing a melody, usually with lyrics. That sounds like a vocalist, but the difference is that “singer” can refer to anyone who sings, whether they’re technically trained or not.
For example, a singer–songwriter is someone whose voice isn’t trained – but singing isn’t their main thing, being an artist who makes original music is.
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First, let’s talk about the different types of vocalists classified by their vocal range. A vocal range refers to the span of pitches they can comfortably sing within.
Here are the main types of vocalists, in order from highest to lowest:
*On a standard 88-key piano, middle C is the fourth C note from the left
There are even more types of vocalists who don’t put singing at the forefront of their craft…
Beatboxers use their vocal apparatus to mimic the sounds of drum machines and other musical instruments. By combining vocal percussion with mouth-generated sound effects, they craft intricate rhythms and beats.
In hip-hop, rappers use their voices as dynamic tools for rapid, rhythmic delivery of lyrics, emphasizing wordplay and poetic expression.
And finally, yodelers, known for their characteristic alternation between chest and head voice, create a melodic style distinct from traditional singing.
Yolanda Adams is one of the best-selling gospel singers of all time. And she was generous enough to share some singing tips, which we’ll be quoting below along with her list of things you need to learn to succeed as a vocalist.
People need to know what you’re saying. When it comes to evoking emotion in the audience, the lyrics are just as important as the melody and music.
“Please pronounce your words,” Adams says.
You have to believe in what you’re singing and convey that to your audience.
“Be inspired by what you’re singing, because if you’re not inspired by what you’re singing, you cannot inspire others,” Adams says.
Adams says you need to sing with good posture. Good posture releases muscle tension, helps with breath control, and makes it easier to use your singing techniques.
Adams says all great singers know how to properly breathe while singing.
“…I try to teach young people how to circular breathe,” she explains. “…It’s learning to take…the breath around and around and around. And you go through your nose and try to bring it out through your mouth.”
This is a technique used by musicians who play wind and brass instruments. It allows you to sing for longer and with more power.
Great singers learn how to speak lower when not singing, Adams says. She explains that doing so “does not tax the voice” as much as speaking loudly.
Rest – full-body rest, not just vocal rest – is so important for singers.
“You can have the most beautiful voice in the world,” Adams says. “But if you’ve only gotten 30 minutes of sleep and you think you’re going to do a four hour show, you are kidding yourself.”
What separates great singers from good singers is being able to adlibs lyrics and also do vocal runs.
“Adlibs are what you sing around the chorus or around the bridge that gives you something other than the actual lyric that’s there,” Adams says.
“If the line is, ‘I have joy, I have joy,’ the choir or the background singers are saying ‘I have joy, I have joy.’ It is your job as the lead singer to say something more… Because if all you’re gonna sing is ‘I have joy,’ what do we have you for?”
As for vocal runs, you can either do ascending or descending runs. Both will add a little more flavor to the performance.
High notes can be the highlight of your performance. For whatever reason – maybe because they’re louder or maybe because it takes more effort to hit them – high notes can convey very powerful emotions.
Singing, just like music in general, is all about evoking an emotion. If you don’t do that, you haven’t accomplished what you’re supposed to as a singer.
“Singing is all about emotion,” Adams says.
“Now, if you’re trying to evoke a certain emotion…of course it starts with the face. Everything starts with the face in singing.”
Your face has to match the emotion you’re trying to convey while singing.
Vocal warms-ups are essential to singing well and keeping your voice healthy long-term.
If you want to become a performing singer, you’ve got to get out there and learn from experience.
Adams’ two main tips for performing live are to first make sure that you have something to wrap your throat in to keep it warm. You don’t want to start singing with a cold voice.
Second, make sure you have fun on stage. The audience will be able to tell and they’ll be more likely to have fun.
Becoming a professional vocalist, someone who earns money by singing, will take dedication, skill development, networking, and perseverance. It will be hard, but it is doable. Here’s how you can start pursuing a career as a vocalist…
First, you’ll need to practice regularly. Dedicate time daily to practice singing and improving your vocal range, control, and technique.
Taking lessons from a respected vocal coach can really help you improve too. A vocal coach can also teach you music theory, which includes reading sheet music and understanding rhythm and melody.
Try singing in different genres until you find one that fits your voice and that you enjoy singing. From there, develop a vocal style that distinguishes you from other singers in that genre.
For example, when a singer sings in cursive, that’s a choice they make. Or how the gruff and gritty voice of Bob Dylan is not his natural voice, or at least not his only singing voice, as heard on his album Nashville Skyline. It was a choice he made.
You may not have to make such a drastic move as these, but the point is to find your own way to stand out.
Build a repertoire of songs that showcase your vocal strengths across different styles and genres. This will help you land gigs and will prepare you for auditions.
Also consider writing and collaborating with musicians. Try writing songs with other singers, songwriter, musicians, and producers so you can diversify your skillset.
Get some singing experience by performing at open mics, local events, and small venues. Experience on stage is invaluable, whether it’s solo, with a band, in a vocal group, or as part of a choir.
It’s also a good idea to record demos of cover songs or your original songs. These recordings are something you can show venues where you’d like to perform.
If you can sing and also play an instrument, that will help you stand out from all the other singers who only sing. Even if you can’t play the instrument while singing, you can at least learn the basics of that instrument to help you write songs and communicate with musicians.
Go to music industry events, workshops, open mics, gigs, and conferences to meet other singers, musicians, producers, and industry professionals. This is where you can meet people with whom to collaborate.
The most direct way to potential fans is social media. You can post videos of yourself singing for free and people can find and follow you.
Along with that, it’s a good idea to have a website that includes your biography, your demos, your performance schedule, and your contact information.
If your goal is to get signed to a label or to find a talent agent, you have to put yourself out there. Look for local auditions for bands, theater productions, commercials, and other opportunities that require vocalists where a label person or agent may take notice of you. And of course, you can also submit your demos directly to record labels (although that’s unlikely to lead to anything promising).
Always be a student. Keep looking for how you can improve as a singer.
The music industry is full of no’s, so be prepared to keep pushing forward. Never forget why you’re pursuing singing as a career – because you love it.
According to Salary.com, the average salary for a singer in the United States is $55,443, but that can vary greatly, with the lower 10% earning about $39,400.
The top-earning singers can amass fortunes in the millions, and in rare cases (like Taylor Swift), even billions. Their income comes from various sources, including album sales, concert tours, merchandise, endorsements, and other ventures.
But these top earners represent only a tiny fraction of the overall singer population. The majority of singers earn modest, “blue-collar” incomes.
For example, session singers – those who sing on other artist’s tracks – typically charge between $100 and $500 per song, depending on their experience and the scope of the project.
Performing singers can earn anywhere from $50 per gig up to $500 or more. Typically, you can earn more by performing at weddings, corporate events, and singing at assisted living centers for the elderly.
Becoming a vocalist doesn’t always require formal education, but having some sort of mentor can really help you get ahead.
Many singers pursue college degrees in music or vocal performance to develop their skills and knowledge under the guidance of experienced instructors. At the very least, going to a university can be great for building connections and relationships that can help you later on.
Many successful singers have honed their talents through self-study, private lessons, and real-world experience. You have access to a wealth of resources online, like YouTube videos, virtual lessons, and articles (like this one). While self-directed learning may lack the structure and depth of a formal education, it’s more flexible and cost-effective than a four-year university.
