A common problem among amateur singers is that they try to copy the tone of another artist. When you mimic the sound of your favorite artists voice, you usually only do so in your head. This usually means you are choking off, important parts of your own voice. Added to this, most popular artists are famous because they have developed a distinctive singing voice. To sing your best, you have to develop your own distinctive tone.
A singer should record them self and listen to it analytically. Most people hate to hear their own voice recorded. That’s because it never sounds right to you. Unfortunately that’s how it sounds to the rest of us all the time.
You don’t need professional recording gear. Most of us have several recording devices handy. A cheap tape recorder, your computer, even your cell phone; these will give you a very honest representation of your singing voice. Record your voice and get over the initial “ew” and listen critically. Is your tone as full as it can be? Is your breathing supporting your tone? Did you cut that phrase short? The best vocal coach I ever had recorded every lesson and insisted that I use the recordings for practice.
Listening to other singers’ styles, phrasing, lyricism, dynamics, and other technics is very beneficial, you also need to listen to your own singing to improve.
