How to learn singing as an adult?

So, you’ve always loved singing, but never got around to taking it seriously. 

Or maybe you used to sing, and now you’re wondering if you can get back into it without feeling totally out of your depth. Or hey, maybe someone just handed you a mic at karaoke and you froze like a statue.

If you’re an adult thinking, “Is it too late to learn how to sing?” or “How do I even start?”, you’re in the right place. This isn’t one of those generic “how to learn singing as an adult in 5 easy steps” kind of guides. Nope. 

This is a real-world, no-fluff walkthrough based on actual queries of adult learners, answered by expert singing tutors at Wiingy who’ve helped thousands of adults start (or restart) their vocal journey.

Whether your goal is to impress at an office party, build confidence to sing in public, master breath control, or just do something joyful and stress-relieving, this guide’s got you. 

From tackling stage fright to hitting those high notes without strain, we cover the common struggles and how personalized coaching can help.

You’ll find real solutions, expert advice, and maybe that little nudge you’ve been waiting for.

Looking to learn to sing? Find expert singing tutors whether you are a beginner, wish to restart, or taking your vocal skills to the next level.

What are your singing goals?

1. “I’m 40 now and think it’s too late to start singing because I’ve never taken a lesson before”

Starting a singing journey at 40 is not only possible but can also be incredibly rewarding. Many adults start vocal training later in life and experience impressive growth and enjoyment. 

So, how can you start this journey?

• It’s never too late to start singing: It’s common to think that singing is something you need to start when you’re young, but that’s not true. With the right guidance and practice, you can develop a strong and beautiful voice, no matter when you start.
• Voice lessons are effective for adults: Structured lessons are key to improving your voice. If you’re consistent with your practice and work with a skilled teacher, you’ll see real progress. Singing is a skill, and just like learning any other skill, it requires the right tools and practice to improve.
• Overcoming initial hesitations: It’s normal to feel a little unsure about starting lessons as an adult. But many people have started singing later in life and found fulfillment in it. 

The journey might feel a bit intimidating at first, but it’s worth it once you start to see the improvements.

Build a routine with a singing tutor

Samara Braga, a top-rated singing tutor at Wiingy, helps adult learners like you create a tailored plan that fits your goals. She’ll help you with everything from vocal warm-ups to developing good breathing techniques, posture, and overall vocal health. 

Samara focuses on building your pitch control, helping you expand your vocal range, and guiding you through performance skills so you can sing confidently in front of others. She’ll also work with you to find your unique style, whether you love pop, rock, classical, or something else.

With Samara’s guidance, you’ll have a structured plan that supports your goals, and you’ll be able to make steady, enjoyable progress on your singing journey. 

2. “I play guitar pretty well, but when I try to sing with it, everything falls apart.”

If you’re facing challenges when trying to sing and play guitar at the same time, don’t worry! This is a common struggle that can definitely be overcome! 

Here’s how you can work through it and improve your skills:

• Build muscle memory for both skills: Singing and playing guitar together require muscle memory. Practice each part separately, and once you’re familiar with the guitar section, singing becomes easier to integrate into the mix. The more you practice, the more automatic it will feel.
• Start with simpler songs: Opt for tracks with slower tempos and basic chord progressions first. As you become more comfortable coordinating both, you can add more complexity to the song choices, gradually building your confidence and ability to manage both skills simultaneously.
• Practice regularly and patiently: Consistent practice is key. It might be frustrating at first, but like with any skill, regular practice will pay off. Set aside time each day to work on both singing and playing, and over time, you’ll see improvement.

Achieving goals with tutor feedback

Working with a tutor like Bruno Elisabetsky can greatly enhance your ability to sing and play guitar simultaneously. Whether you’re struggling to coordinate singing with guitar or aiming to refine your performance, Bruno will help you break down complex techniques into manageable steps.

With Bruno’s guidance, you can focus on building muscle memory for both guitar and vocals, gradually incorporating both elements into your practice routine. Bruno can also track your progress through performance assessments, ensuring that you’re moving forward at a pace that suits you. 

By working with tutors like Bruno at Wiingy, you’ll build a solid foundation in both guitar and singing, boosting your confidence and allowing you to perform more seamlessly.

3.“I used to sing years ago and want to get back into it as a hobby to relieve stress.”

Returning to singing after a long break is a wonderful way to relieve stress and reconnect with a passion you once enjoyed. 

Here’s a guide to help you ease back into your musical journey:

• Ease in gently: A local community choir or a casual singing group can offer a supportive environment to rekindle your love for singing without pressure. Recognize that your voice may need time to regain its former strength and flexibility.
• Treat your voice with care: Just like any other muscle, your vocal cords require gentle reconditioning. Begin with soft humming and basic warm-up exercises, gradually building up to more demanding pieces. If discomfort occurs, pause and allow your voice to rest. 
• Embrace your evolving voice: Understand that your voice may have changed over time. Approach these changes with curiosity, exploring new ranges or tones you might not have noticed before. This can be an exciting opportunity to discover different aspects of your vocal abilities. 
• Explore new styles: Consider experimenting with various genres of music. Whether it’s folk, classical, rock, or jazz, trying different styles can reignite your enthusiasm and help you find new ways to express yourself.

How a singing tutor can support your return

Nishma Asher Annan, a star singing tutor at Wiingy, offers personalized lessons that are carefully tailored to your individual experience and goals. Her teaching style is engaging, motivational, and supportive. 

Nishma takes a personalized approach to every lesson, ensuring that you progress at a pace that feels comfortable for you. She helps you build a solid foundation in both theory and practice, guiding you to develop your technical skills and musicality. 

Moreover, she encourages you to explore and express yourself through music, fostering creativity and confidence along the way. Embarking on this journey with Nishma will help you rediscover your voice but also enable you to find a deeper appreciation for your vocal abilities.

4. “I enjoy karaoke, but I find myself running out of breath during the middle of songs.”

If you find yourself running out of breath during the middle of songs, you’re not alone, many adult singers experience this challenge.

There are effective strategies to improve your breath control and sustain your energy throughout your performances:

• Practice diaphragmatic breathing: Focus on breathing deeply into your diaphragm rather than shallow chest breathing. This technique allows for better air intake and control.
• Incorporate breathing exercises into your routine: Exercises like inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds, and exhaling for 4 seconds can strengthen your respiratory muscles and improve stamina.​
• Pace yourself during songs: Be mindful of your breathing needs within each song. Plan where to take breaths to avoid running out of air mid-phrase.​
• Build lung capacity gradually: Engage in activities that increase your lung capacity, such as aerobic exercises, to support longer phrases without strain.​

Improving breath control through singing lessons

Victoria Frisher, a student-favourite vocal coach at Wiingy, offers lessons that focus on developing both your vocal technique and breath support. Her approach is tailored to ensure you can sing longer phrases confidently and without strain. 

Victoria teaches effective breath control techniques, guiding you to manage your breathing so that you can sustain singing without running out of air. She also incorporates vocal warm-up routines to prepare your voice to ensure you’re ready for challenging songs. 

Victoria offers performance strategies to maintain energy and clarity. With her expert guidance and feedback, you’ll be able to practice more effectively, tackle difficult songs, and perform with greater ease.

5.“I would strain on most high notes and have a sore, tired voice any time I sang too high, or too long.”

This is a common challenge that many adult singers face. With the right techniques and approach, you can improve your vocal range and sing comfortably for longer periods.

Here’s how to address the issue:

• Focus on breath control: Proper breath support is key to singing high notes without straining. Practice diaphragmatic breathing, where you engage your lower belly muscles to push air out steadily. This provides the support needed to hit higher pitches without tension.
• Warm up your voice: Your vocal cords need to be warmed up before hitting higher notes. Gentle humming and scale exercises can help prepare your voice.
• Build vocal strength gradually: Avoid pushing your voice too hard quickly. Start with songs that don’t require high notes and gradually increase the range you sing over time. This allows your vocal cords to strengthen and adapt without strain.
• Practice good posture and relaxation: Tension in your neck and shoulders can make it harder to reach high notes. Maintain an open posture and relax your body to reduce unnecessary strain on your voice.

Enhancing pitch accuracy with expert tutor techniques

Sofiia Ternova, an expert singing tutor at Wiingy, offers personalized lessons that focus on developing both your vocal technique and pitch accuracy. 

Sofiia emphasizes the importance of breath control exercises to help you manage your breathing, allowing you to support higher pitches without tension. She also incorporates vocal warm-ups into your lessons, preparing your voice to handle higher notes with ease. 

To improve your pitch accuracy, Sofiia uses specific drills that train you to hit and maintain correct pitch consistently. With her guidance, you can build the skills needed to sing high notes confidently, tackle challenging songs, and perform with ease. 

6. “I’m performing at my kid’s school recital. Can my voice sound clear and confident with all those people watching?”

Performing in front of an audience, especially for the first time, can make you feel nervous, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can deliver a clear, confident performance. 

Here’s how to approach the situation:

• Start with deep breathing exercises: Before you perform, take a few moments to focus on your breathing to prepare your body for the performance. 
• Visualization: Picture yourself performing confidently in front of your audience. Imagine every note flowing smoothly, and see yourself enjoying the experience. 
• Warm up your voice: A proper vocal warm-up will ensure that your voice is ready to perform. Light humming, lip trills, and gentle vocal exercises will help relax your vocal cords and improve your tone.
• Control your nerves: Instead of trying to eliminate nerves, focus on channeling them into energy. Remember that feeling a little nervous is completely normal, and it can actually enhance your performance if managed well.
• Start small: If the thought of performing in front of a large audience feels overwhelming, practice in front of a smaller group first.
• Be kind to yourself: Mistakes may happen, but they don’t define your performance. If you make a mistake, keep going without hesitation. Chances are, your audience won’t even notice!

Building performance confidence with a vocal coach

Working with a skilled vocal coach like Laura Forero can significantly boost your confidence and refine your singing skills, especially for a live performance like your child’s school recital. 

Laura creates a comfortable and supportive environment where you can grow. She adapts her teaching style to ensure that each lesson is engaging and effective, making sure you feel confident in your abilities.

Laura emphasizes creating a relaxed atmosphere where you can practice without judgment, helping you overcome nerves and anxiety. With Laura’s guidance, you’ll build the vocal strength and mental resilience needed to perform confidently, making your experience enjoyable and memorable.

7. “I love singing pop and musical theater. Can I train my voice to actually sound like the style?”

Yes, absolutely! With the right training and technique, you can develop your voice to match the sound of pop and musical theater styles. 

Here’s how to approach it:

• Understand the style: Pop and musical theater require different vocal techniques. So, listen to your favorite artists in both genres to familiarize yourself with their vocal nuances.
• Develop your vocal range: Both pop and musical theater styles require flexibility in vocal range. Regular warm-ups and exercises targeting both high and low notes will help build strength and control over time.
• Work on vocal resonance: For pop, achieving a smooth, resonant sound is key. In musical theater, you’ll need to focus on projection and clarity, especially for large venues.
• Breath control and support: Both genres rely heavily on breath control. Proper breathing techniques allow you to sustain longer phrases without straining your voice.
• Style-specific coaching: A vocal coach can help you tailor your technique to the style you’re interested in. They will provide specific exercises to develop the distinct qualities of pop and musical theater singing.

Exploring different styles with your singing tutor

Gloria Piccinin is a student-favourite vocal coach who can help you explore different styles, including pop and musical theater, with tailored lessons that suit your goals. 

Drawing from her extensive experience in rock, pop, and metal, she teaches genre-specific techniques to help you develop the vocal nuances needed for each style, whether you want to refine pop vocals or master theatrical performances. 

With her professional performance background, she also provides valuable insights into stage presence and audience engagement, ensuring you build both technical skills and creative expression.

8. “I am singing at an office New Year party. I want to impress, but I’m not a trained singer!”

Performing at an office New Year party can be an exciting opportunity to showcase your talent and leave a lasting impression, even if you haven’t had formal singing training. 

Here’s how you can make your performance shine:

• Focus on breath control: Before you perform, take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves and ensure your voice is steady. 
• Warm up your voice: A quick warm-up is essential to prepare your vocal cords. Simply humming gently or doing lip trills for a few minutes will get your voice ready to perform without strain. 
• Relax and focus on posture: Stand tall and relax your body. Focus on an open posture, which will help you project your voice confidently and naturally.
• Engage with your audience: Don’t stress about being “perfect”, focus on enjoying the moment. Engage with your audience by making eye contact and letting the music guide you. 

Tailored performance-focused lessons for adult learners

Raine Stern, an experienced vocal coach at Wiingy, offers lessons that cater specifically to adult learners who want to enhance their performance skills.

Raine’s lessons are tailored to meet your individual needs, whether you’re singing for fun or aiming to impress an audience. Her approach helps you feel comfortable singing in front of others. 

Raine also brings a wealth of performance experience to her coaching, which she integrates into her lessons. By sharing tips and tricks used by professionals, she helps students build confidence in their abilities, allowing them to perform without fear or hesitation. 

Wrapping up

Learning to sing as an adult isn’t just possible, it can be deeply rewarding. Whether you’re starting from scratch at 40, returning after a long break, or trying to sing and play guitar without everything falling apart, there’s no “perfect age” to begin. 

What really makes a difference? The right guidance.

At Wiingy, we connect you with expert-vetted vocal coaches who specialize in working with adult learners. Our tutors personalize each lesson to your voice, your pace, and your goals, so you’ll have someone in your corner every step of the way.

To get expert tips and guidance in your singing journey, explore our comprehensive guide on how to learn singing.

If you’re juggling a busy lifestyle and can’t find the time for traditional lessons, check out our flexible online singing lessons that fit your schedule. You can learn from the comfort of your home at your own pace.

Looking to learn to sing? Find expert singing tutors whether you are a beginner, wish to restart, or taking your vocal skills to the next level.

Additional reading

• How to learn singing: A guide to understanding vocal technique for beginners and aspiring singers by expert tutors at Wiingy

FAQ by adult singing learners