How to Sing Your First Solo

Co-authored by Tanisha Hall

Last Updated: March 1, 2021 References Approved

Performing a solo may seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be! All you need is your knowledge of singing and good preparation. For your first solo, pick one that suits your vocal range. Practice often until you memorize the song and can hit all the notes. Before the performance, stay hydrated and loose. By the time it’s your turn to sing, you’ll be able to remember your passion for singing and give a performance to remember.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Picking and Practicing the Solo

1
Choose a song that fits the occasion and your vocal range. It is important to pick a song that fits the occasion, but it also should be easy for you to sing. At home, you can try to sing through songs. A good one won’t make your throat feel tight or sound hoarse. This protects your voice from damage but also gives you a chance to feel comfortable on stage.^{[1]
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- At church, for example, try singing “Amazing Grace” if you have a high vocal range. You might want to sing “How Great Is Our God” if you have a low range.
2
Read through the lyrics a few lines at a time. Naturally, it’s important to know what you are singing before you go on stage. Spend some reading the lyrics aloud. Think about what the words mean, since developing an understanding of them solidifies memory. After you feel comfortable with a line or two, move on to the next ones.^{[2]
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3
Sing into a microphone and speaker system. Use a unidirectional microphone or speaker system. Face the speaker so the microphone points away from it. This way, you’ll learn to prevent the hiss of feedback as well as have an opportunity to hear how you sound over equipment. Get a longer cord if you need to walk around with the mic.^{[3]
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- If you don’t have equipment at home or need exposure, try a karaoke bar or open mic night in your area.
- Avoid using omnidirectional microphones, which pick up sound from all sides. These are useful for lower volume sounds in studios and sound stages.
4
Practice on the stage where you’ll perform. Try to use the same equipment you’ll use during the performance, if possible. This way, you can familiarize yourself with the location. You may feel more comfortable once you get on stage. You’ll also be aware of how much space you have to move in and how it makes you sound.
5
Focus on the feeling of hitting the right notes. On stage, you won’t have time to listen to yourself singing. To adjust, memorize how the song feels as you begin practicing it. Learn the song structure, matching the words with the notes they need to be sung at. When you can hit a high C, for example, you’ll know what it feels like. It’ll feel different from a low C.^{[4]
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- You’ll feel more comfortable when you’re on stage because you’ll be able to feel yourself hitting the notes.
6
Practice while performing daily activities. Set practice times are fine. Singing outside those sessions is also a good idea. You don’t need to sing at maximum volume all the time. Whether you’re brushing your hair, traveling, or shopping, go through the lyrics or practice tough notes. You’ll memorize the song while stretching your vocal cords.^{[5]
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- Some performances, such as for musicals, require you to move around a lot on stage. For these, try walking quickly around your home. Try to change directions as soon as you think of the next line.
7
Sing for people you trust. At first, you may only be comfortable with singing in front of your dog or cat. Start there if you need to. Work your way up to friends, family, or a vocal coach. People you trust will listen to you without judgment. They’re often a good source for constructive criticism.^{[6]
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Ask people for feedback on your singing. It’s easiest to start with people you trust, such as friends or family. Sing your song for them and have them tell you where you can improve. Vocal coaches are a good choice, but strangers may have the most honesty to contribute.
- Accept all feedback with a smile and a thanks, even when you’re sure it’s not useful to you.
- Outside opinions may be found at karaoke nights, open mic nights, on a street promenade, or over a camp fire. Keep in mind that not everyone will want to listen and many others are not singing experts.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting Ready to Perform

1
Eat a healthy meal a few hours before singing. An hour or two before performing, eat enough food to give you energy. Complex carbohydrates, such as rice and pasta, are best. You can supplement these with lean proteins, including eggs, chicken, or fish. Other snack options include nuts, fruits, and vegetables.^{[7]
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- Avoid stuffing yourself. A full stomach restricts your diaphragm. Also avoid eating heavy foods.
2
Sip water before the performance. Drink plenty of water to keep your throat hydrated. Keep the water lukewarm, since coldness will constrict your vocal cords. Stop drinking a few hours before performing so you won’t need a bathroom break. Instead, try gently biting your tongue, chewing gum, or sucking on sugar free candy to create saliva.^{[8]
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- Tea is great for sore throats. Choose herbal tea or add some honey to it. Gargling salt water or sucking on hard candy can also help.
- Avoid alcohol, dairy products and ice cold beverages. They'll all make your voice sound worse.
3
Stretch to open up your airways. A little physical activity can help you relax. Do some light stretching or jog in place for a few minutes. Open your jaw. Stick out your tongue. Mix in some stretches for your back and core. Not only does this distract your from nervous feelings, but it helps air pass through you so you sound better.^{[9]
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- An example of a good stretching exercise is a back bend. Place your hands on your lower back. Gently bend your neck and spine backwards.
4
Warm up your voice with trills and scales. Do a lip trill by moving your lips close together. Make a “b” sound. Go up and down your vocal range without going beyond the notes that are comfortable for you. Follow up with a tongue trill by placing your tongue behind your upper teeth. Make an “r” sound up and down your range. These warm up your voice without wearing it out.^{[10]
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- Humming is another good exercise. Hum up and down your vocal range.
- Glide through your range by repeating a “me” sound. Touch on difficult notes, but don’t practice more than a few times.
5
Get rid of lingering nervousness with deep breathing. Take a deep breath in and release it. Allow your body to open up. If you notice any nervous thoughts or tension, note them but don’t indulge them. Watch them fall away as you breathe out. Instead, remember why you sing. Think of any compliments you’ve gotten and remind yourself of why you sing.^{[11]
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- Most likely, singing is enjoyable to you. Your voice is also enjoyable to the audience.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Performing the Solo

1
Distract yourself until you begin singing. Starting the song is the hardest part. Try looking out past the audience. Find a spot in the back of the room. Concentrate on that spot and use it when you need to regroup. You can also close your eyes or imagine the audience is dressed up in silly outfits until you begin.^{[12]
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2
Open your mouth wide and breathe. Stand up straight. Open your mouth wide like a singer on TV would. Remember all you learned about how to sing. You want your body to stay expansive so you get plenty of air into your lungs. Make sure your voice resonates throughout your airways. Proper posture and breathing will make you sound better and also calm you down.^{[13]
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3
Express your passion for the song. When practicing the song, you should have developed an interest in it. Now it’s your turn to present the song so others can understand it. Another source of passion is your love of singing. Put emotion into your words and show the audience why you are performing for them. Once you get to this point, getting through the song is no challenge at all.^{[14]
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4
Keep going when you make a mistake. Mistakes happen even to experienced soloists. Sometimes you’ll drop the mic, get feedback, or forget words. The best solution is to keep singing. Don’t stop and wait for others to help you out. Instead, continue so you put the mistake in the past. By the end of your performance, the audience will have forgotten what went wrong.^{[15]
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Community Q&A

Question

What if I sing a song that is about heartbreak? Would I keep on smiling while singing?

Community Answer

No. Study the words and make clear acting choices based upon them. If your character is heartbroken, I doubt they'd be smiling!
Question

How do I conquer my fear of performing in front of people?

Community Answer

Try to make sure you are comfortable with the song before you commit to singing it. While singing, get into the song and stay calm. Try to give yourself positive reinforcement before going onstage.
Question

My voice goes croaky, does anyone have a tip to stop this?

Lizzie

Community Answer

Try only drinking water. No dairy, as this blocks your throat and may lead to croakiness This includes chocolate, milk, cheese and more. Also try warming up before you sing, singing 'la' up in a scale and repeating it, gradually going higher.

Warnings

Don't take criticism personally. Most criticism is meant to help you. Anyone who is mean is not worth listening to.

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