One of the greatest ways to get a crowd going is with great music. Sure, DJ’s are great but there is nothing like hearing a live band. I am the lead singer in my band, Daze of Dari, and it is so rewarding when I see people smiling, dancing and having a great time.

A good singer possesses the ability to affect others by transporting them to another place and even by reaching their soul. Here are some tips to being a better singer:

Always be authentic. Be vulnerable and bear your soul through your voice. When you express yourself genuinely, you connect with the crowd.

Make the song your own. Just because you didn’t write the song and you aren’t the artist everyone is used to hearing, it doesn’t mean you can’t put your own spin on it and give it your own personal vibe. Never lose your own identity of who you are as a singer. Don’t be afraid to push any musical boundary and add your own flair to each song. Always tell a story. Be expressive every single time you sing with every word you sing.

By incorporating your own dynamics such as changing the volume, the intensity or the style, you connect with the audience because you will be conveying your own emotion to the song. Even different phrasing and interpretive choices will add to expression. It will create a captivating and more memorable performance. Authenticity goes a very long way.

Monitor your voice. Most singers perform in different locations, circumstances and situations. Many have careers and a life outside of singing. Singers should always be aware of how they use their voice each day. A singer’s voice is their instrument and needs to be protected so it’s strong enough to handle singing for hours at a gig.

Take vocal lessons. Think of a singer as an athlete. Athletes train and so should singers. Vocal coaches offer exercises to prepare vocals in order to target sound and texture. You will learn your range, develop control, flexibility and technique. Different styles need different coaching. For example, if you want to sing rock/pop music, you can learn to sing with a brassy, edgy quality.

Always warm up. I know that it sometimes seems like there is no time because we are constantly running from one thing to the next. By taking the time to do warm-up exercises, you will help your voice transition from your speaking to your singing range. We don’t speak and sing in the same range so it’s important to take time to warm up so that you are more easily able to reach various pitches and notes without straining or harming your voice.

Develop breath control. Breath control is fundamental for singing. It allows you to sustain long notes, control dynamics and give a powerful performance. It gives you more control over your voice and improves your overall technique.

Proper posture is crucial for optimal performance. Stand up straight, relax your shoulders and be sure that your neck and head are aligned with your spine. Having proper posture will allow your breath to flow, improve lung capacity and will enhance your vocal resonance. Try not to slouch or tense your muscles as doing so will restrict your vocal range and have a negative affect on your vocal quality.

Vocal resonance is the richness and depth of your voice. When you develop resonance, your voice will be fuller with more vibrancy. When you project your voice forward rather than trying to push or strain to be louder, you will enhance your vocals.

Just like warming up, you should cool down. Vocal cool-down exercises can help with recovery after singing for hours. There are various slides/glide exercises that can be found online. One of my vocal coaches taught me the Titze straw exercise. On your ride home, keep the music off and stay quiet. Your voice needs to recover.

Always pace yourself. Try to organize your setlist so that all songs that are highly vocally demanding aren’t one right after the other.

Change the key to fit your voice. If a song is too high, a semitone can make a big difference. When you have a sing-a-long song with a higher chorus, it’s very common practice for lead singers to turn the microphone toward the crowd to have them sing during the chorus. This will give you a break while you are engaging the audience.

Get your sound right. This is crucial. Vocals are not amplified and cannot compete with electronic instruments. If you overwork to be heard over the drums and electronic instruments, you can lose your voice. Be aware of both your microphone and monitor position and be sure your sound equipment is correctly adjusted. If all of these parameters are in order, you will not have to work so hard to project your voice in order to be heard. Always take time before the gig to work on sound and so a thorough sound check.

A couple of other tips are to record yourself so that you can hear your progress and practice every day

Becoming a lead singer is a journey. You will need to be patient, consistent and have an innate willingness to learn and practice. With these things, nothing can stand in your way.