Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 4/4/2010

Question
I want to be a R&B and pop singer. How can i make this dream come true? How can i gain confidence so when i go on stage for the first time i wont be so nervous?

Answer
Hi there, Brandi.  And thanks for writing.  

Congrats on the dream.  That is awesome.  

It is essential that you first get in touch with clarity why you would like to be a R&B and pop singer.  What is it about that that attracts you?  Why not opera?  Why not country?  

Also, get in touch with what you want to accomplish by being a singer.  I would suggest that making money be the lesser of all that you want to accomplish.  Look at all sorts of R&B and pop singers.  See what you love and what you do not like about them and their careers.  Create what you love and make it your own.

Are you taking voice lessons?  See if you can take lessons from someone who is affiliated with R&B and pop singing.  This will start you on the path and also help you gain confidence.

Find places that you can sing that take R&B and pop singing.  Do it as much as you can wherever you can.  This will help define your career and also create more confidence.

Nerves can be associated with many things.  One of them is a lack of breath.  When we are nervous, one of the first things we stop doing is breathing.  By taking lessons from a voice teacher, you can also develop a deep breathing that will assist you to engage your body in a way that it will help you to relax more.  If you relax, you will remember your technique better and it will all be good.

Does that help you?

Wanda