Ju Hye Choi / Classification Essay / Tues 9 AM

     We see many people today wanting to become musicians. Reality-singing competitions like American Idol and The Voice have been lasting for years because of its huge popularity. However, the chances of making it to the top are slim and the biggest reason is that becoming a singer requires a lot more than a beautiful voice. If you are one of those people who want to pursue music and make a living out of it, here are three tips to keep in mind that can help you make it to the top.

     First, know how to use your voice. Knowing the proper way to sing will give you more confidence, energy and positivity. Last February 2013, famous female artist Beyonce hit sensation after her Super Bowl halftime show because not only was her performance great but she managed to pull off a 15 minute non-stop live performance. She pulled it off was because she knew how to use her voice the right way which gave her all the confidence and energy that she needed.

     Next, do all that you can to improve yourself as a performer. This means taking voice lessons, exercising continuously, letting others comment on your singing and making as many opportunities to become comfortable as a performer. The reason is that in order to succeed in the music industry, you must learn to give a hundred percent in a performance. Singers like Celine Dion, Beyonce, Andrea Bocelli and Jay Z are already well-known for their singing and rapping ability but they continuously try to improvise because it is one of the biggest ways you can pull off a great performance.

      Last but not least, you must develop your own style. There are many people who try to sound like a specific artist they like or want to sound like. However, trying to sound like someone else will not do it. You must try to experiment with different ways of singing and different types of music because it is the only way to find out what voice suits your personality and makes the most of your voice. If we want to connect with others, it is easier to sing with our own voice than by trying to sound like someone else.

      People would struggle making it to the top without the three things needed to become a singer. Having a beautiful voice will not matter if you do not know how to use your own voice. Knowing how to use your own voice will not matter if you do not put an effort on improving yourself as a performer. Continuously practicing and improvising will not do it if you do not have your own style. If you consider to keep in mind the three tips mentioned above and apply it to real life, there will be a better chance for you to succeed in the music industry.