On any given day, a singer may be asked to do anything: audition for a role, perform on stage or give a singing lesson. No matter the context, singers are always called upon to use their voices in some way. And while most singers would say they enjoy using their voice, there are still certain things about the process that can be frustrating, confusing, or just plain annoying.
To help shed light on the inner workings of a singer, we’ve compiled a list of important questions to ask singers. The questions range from practical (How do you care for your voice?) to philosophical (What motivates you to keep singing?). No matter what your level of interest in music or singing may be, we think you’ll find something here to pique your curiosity. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
60 Questions to ask a singer:
- How long have you been singing?
- What led you to pursue singing?
- Do you have any formal training?
- What’s your favorite vocal technique?
- How would you describe your vocal style?
- Do you have a go-to song when you need to show off your vocal range?
- How do you take care of your voice?
- What is your favorite style of music to sing?
- What was your most challenging performance to date?
- Do you prefer performing solo or with other people/groups?
- What’s the best thing about singing?
- What’s the worst thing?
- What’s your favorite song to perform?
- What’s the story behind that song?
- How do you prepare for a performance?
- What goes through your mind when you perform?
- What was your most memorable performance experience?
- What song was the most difficult for you to learn?
- Who are your musical influences?
- How do you feel after a performance?
- What do you think is the biggest misconception about singers?
- How did you get into singing?
- How has your singing changed since you started performing?
- What do you wish more people knew about singing/singers?
- Is there a particular message you want to convey with your music?
- Do you have any new songs or projects in the works that we can be excited about?
- What was your dream when you were a kid?
- What drives you to achieve your goals?
- Do you enjoy attending red-carpet events?
- What beauty secret do you swear by?
- Who’s your musical inspiration?
- Do you prefer to write your own songs or collaborate with others?
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
- What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given?
- Where is your favorite place to perform and why?
- Do you have any funny stories from performing? ( e.g. forgetting lyrics, wardrobe mishaps, etc.)
- Do you have any pre-performance rituals or backstage superstitions?
- What do you think sets you apart from other singers in the industry?
- How do you manage to maintain a healthy lifestyle on the road?
- What can fans expect from your next album or tour?
- What do you think are some good vocal exercises for singers?
- Do you get stage fright? If so, how do you deal with it?
- What’s your favorite physical sensation when singing?
- What was the first song you sang in public?
- What do you think makes a great singer?
- If you could perform with any artist living or dead, who would it be?
- Have you ever had a bad experience with a director/teacher/coach? If so, what happened?
- Do you have any tips for staying motivated during long rehearsals?
- How do you handle constructive criticism?
- Is there anything that always throws you off during performances? If so, how do you deal with it?
- How do you know when you’re ready to record an album or take your career to the next level?
- What things do you wish you’d known when you first started out as a singer?
- Is there anything you would recommend avoiding before singing, like eating or drinking certain things?
- Do people ever recognize you in public and if so, how is that for you?
- What do you think about the current state of the music industry?
- How do you think the digital age has affected the music industry?
- Do you have some words of wisdom for aspiring singers?
- Is there anything else you think we should know about you or your singing career?
- If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to start singing, what would it be?
- And finally, what’s your favorite song to sing at the moment and why?
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a great singer?
A great singer is someone who possesses a unique combination of talent, skill, passion, and dedication. They must be able to convey emotion with their voice to truly connect with their audience. They must also have excellent control of their pitch and breath to maintain proper technique throughout the performance.
What makes a great singer is their ability to touch people’s hearts and move them with their music. Whether they sing pop, rock, classical, or any other genre of music, a truly great singer can captivate listeners and make them want more.
Is singing a talent or a skill?
Singing is both a talent and a skill because it requires both innate musical ability and technical know-how and training. Some people are naturally gifted singers with the ability to easily pick up melodies and create beautiful vocal harmonies.
But singing also requires practice and discipline to improve one’s skills and perfect one’s technique. Whether singing is a talent or a skill depends mostly on how much effort one is willing to put into developing their abilities as a singer.
If you have the talent to sing and are willing to work hard to develop your skills, you can become a great singer no matter what your starting position is.
What is the major goal of every singer?
The main goal of every singer is to master their craft and share their voice with the world. Whether they’re performing on stage, recording in the studio, or singing for their own pleasure, singers strive to reach new levels of vocal mastery and express themselves through their singing.
To achieve this goal, singers must develop strong techniques and continually work to improve their vocal range, tone, control, and style. They must also cultivate an understanding of the music they sing and be able to connect with their audience through meaningful performances.
What is the rarest type of singing voice?
The rarest singing voice is the countertenor, a male vocal range that’s above the tenor voice and has a unique and distinctive sound.
Countertenors usually sing in a melodic, highly ornamented style that’s distinctly different from the typical vocal range of other male singers. They’re often used to perform works written for female voices or castrati, as their flexibility and control of their upper registers allow them to accurately mimic these voices closely.
Since there are relatively few countertenors, this type of singing is quite rare, making it one of the most sought-after and coveted musical styles among singers and music lovers.
Conclusion
Asking thoughtful questions is a great way to show your appreciation for a singer’s work and get the most out of their performance! You might be surprised at what you learn!