"Respect" -- Otis Redding

Your voice is your instrument, and it is unique because it happens to be a part of your body; hereby, subject to your emotional and physical health. 

Posture: Hold head comfortably erect, shoulders down, chest high, and back straight. 

Breathing: Do not break up phrases or clauses to breathe, breathe through your mouth or nose, whichever is comfortable. 

Spend time learning the mechanics of great singing.  Make sure the song is in the right key for your voice. 

• Be poised with an air of dignity and sincerity
  
• Enter with a quick graceful walk
  
• If greeted by applause, acknowledge it
  
• When singing, look above the heads of the audience
  
• Avoid nervous glancing
  
• Be sure to observe and learn from seasoned professionals
  
• Discard self-criticizing
  
• Be now with your audience
  
• Create your own style
  
• Your last song should be the show stopper
  
• Be on time for rehearsals and familiar with the material
  
• There are instances where you can sing with a cold for short performances; take the necessary steps to be ready
  
• Vocalist are hired to sing--not talk, make jokes, or interject unnecessary banter

Some have said that the nerves never go away; To help, check out the stage before a performance and pretend an audience is watching you and begin to make them disappear over and over again; get plenty of sleep; eat light; work out; vocalize; and avoid dairy for at least 1 week prior to a performance to avoid excess phlegm on vocal cords. 

Stage Presence (DO NOT do these or your performance will suffer): 

1. wonder what the audience is thinking 

2. wonder if the audience likes you 

3. worried about your looks 

4. not knowing the words to the song 

5. worried about bright lights in your eyes 

6. mind on something or someone else (unless memory helps delivery) 

7. disliking the audience or thinking the audience is stupid 

8 . listening to yourself and not the band 

9. acting bored 

10. exhibiting dislike of the song 

11. showing nervousness 

12. thinking you are too good for the audience and/or the venue

Dealing With Getting Paid:

If you are a professional singer, state your fee and have all papers signed before you sing. Make sure that you fully understand what is required of you, and make sure that your requests and requirements are understood.

Dealing With Equipment/Venue

Survey the venue a day or two before if possible. If it is not possible, be sure to verify with a knowledgeable contact every detail about the venue that will affect your performance.

Resume
Be sure to include name, address, phone; educational background; special skills; any noteworthy performances; 8x10 black and white glossy with contact information on bottom (can use label to paste on).

Auditioning
Show up on time with multiple resumes and pictures; be prepared and bring all necessities such as music, water, etc. with you. Be sure to dress comfortably.

Networking
Build a mailing list from each venue.  Try to be everywhere all the time and be good.

What is the difference between a talented singer and an average one? There are two things the average listener will listen for... Vocal Range. If you start singing out stunning high notes, people are bound to take notice...& Vocal Tone. Which means, does the voice sound any good? Does it have a nice quality to it? A great singer knows how to hit high notes with ease. Do not reach up for high notes, nor reach down for low notes. A singer who has mastered tone quality knows two very important things. He or she knows how to balance resonance, and also, how to keep the larynx (voice box) in a still position while singing.

With both these things occurring, a great vocal tone is almost guaranteed. An average singer can be trained to develop great tone. Vocal cord adduction exercises are the most powerful way of increasing your vocal range.  "Vocal cord adduction" means that your vocal cords actually "shorten", thus leaving less of the vocal cord vibrating as you sing.

The biggest difference between superstar and average is vocal range and tone quality.

Also, there are other things that make a great singer such as style, interpretation, emotion, and lyrics all contribute; but the foundation is to have a great range and a great tone.