What are the essential skills every singer needs?

Reflecting on the good and the not-so-good (Season Finale)

In this final episode of season one of The Singer's Guide Podcast, host Tessa reflects on the journey so far.   She highlights her favourite episodes, the overall approach to diverse topics such as vocal health and practice techniques, and discusses areas for improvement.   Tessa also shares insightful responses from singers on what they wish they had learned earlier in their singing careers.   Looking ahead to season two, she plans to incorporate feedback and introduce new perspectives by inviting other singing teachers to join the conversation.   Tessa concludes by asking listeners for their favorite episodes and suggestions for future topics.   00:00 Introduction and Reflection 02:26 Season Highlights and Favourite Episodes 03:31 Areas for Improvement 07:02 Singer's Answers to the Question "What Do You Wish You'd Learned Sooner?" 10:39 Final Thoughts and Season 2 Preview   ---- 🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit [https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit]   ---- 🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com [http://www.singerspracticehub.com]   🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa: www.thesingersguide.com [http://www.thesingersguide.com]   🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

What are the essential skills every singer needs?

In episode 11 of The Singer's Guide Podcast, host Tessa discusses the broad array of skills necessary to build a successful singing career. Drawing from her experience as a jazz singer, vocal coach, choir leader, and academic researcher, she categorises these skills into three main personas: the artist, the learner, and the professional. Tessa delves into the specifics of vocal technique, musicianship, and performance skills under the artist persona. For the learner, she highlights the importance of voice science, vocal health, and reflective practices. The professional persona focuses on industry-specific hard skills and essential soft skills like organisation, communication, and project management. Throughout the episode, Tessa stresses that while the list of required skills can seem overwhelming, they can be developed and improved over time through practice and experience. She concludes by asking the listener 'What do you wish you had learned sooner?' 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 02:19 The Life of a Freelance Singer 02:42 Tessa's Career Journey 05:25 Essential Skills for Singers 06:11 The Artist Persona 08:21 The Learner Persona 09:42 The Professional Persona 13:16 The Importance of Practice 14:41 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement   ---- 🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit [https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit] ---- 🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com [http://www.singerspracticehub.com] 🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa: www.thesingersguide.com [http://www.thesingersguide.com] 🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

Kickstart 2026: Setting SMART goals for singers

In the 10th episode of the Singer's Guide podcast, host Tessa Smith delves into the topic of goal setting for singers to kick off the first episode of 2026.   The episode focuses on the SMART goals framework - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound - offering practical tips for setting realistic and motivating goals.   Tessa emphasises the importance of aligning smaller goals with larger objectives and making the goal-setting process enjoyable.   She also introduces her Self Validated Voice Program and the Singer's Practice Hub as resources to help listeners achieve their 2026 singing goals.   00:00 Welcome to Episode 10: New Year, New Goals   03:39 Setting and Structuring Your Singing Goals   05:17 Understanding SMART Goals   10:41 Making Goal Setting Fun and Enjoyable   13:33 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead   ---- 🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit [https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit] ---- 🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com [http://www.singerspracticehub.com/] 🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa: www.thesingersguide.com [http://www.thesingersguide.com/]   🎵 Music by Tessa Smith  🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

Singing when feeling unwell - how to navigate illness and fatigue

In the ninth episode of the Singer's Guide podcast, host Tessa offers best practices for maintaining vocal health on a daily basis, and what to do when feeling the onset of illness or fatigue.   Tessa also talks about options when illness sets in and you still have to perform, such as quiet practice, song modifications, and collaborative performance strategies.   00:00 Introduction and Overview   02:10 Daily Vocal Care Tips   04:12 Handling Early Signs of Illness   06:34 Singing While Unwell   11:29 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement   ---- 🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit [https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit] ---- 🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com [http://www.singerspracticehub.com/] 🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa: www.thesingersguide.com [http://www.thesingersguide.com/]   🎵 Music by Tessa Smith  🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

But I don't want to..! (How to increase motivation for singing practice)

In episode eight of The Singer's Guide Podcast, host Tessa discusses motivation, and how to motivate yourself to practice singing when it's lacking.   Tessa explains the concepts of internal (intrinsic) and external (extrinsic) motivation and shares strategies to harness both types.   She emphasises the importance of avoiding negative motivators and suggests setting deadlines, creating accountability, and using rewards as effective external motivators.   Additionally, she discusses the benefits of novelty and curiosity in enhancing internal motivation.   Tessa also highlights the value of documenting progress and incorporating varied practice activities, including enjoyable forms like singing in a choir or taking breaks.   The episode underscores the significance of self-compassion and offers practical tools like the Singer's Practice Hub to help maintain motivation.   00:00 Introduction  01:10 Understanding Motivation 02:32 Types of Motivation: Internal vs External 04:41 External Motivators: Deadlines and Rewards 08:56 Boosting Internal Motivation 12:36 Alternative Practice Methods 15:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   ---- 🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit [https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit] ---- 🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com [http://www.singerspracticehub.com/] 🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa: www.thesingersguide.com [http://www.thesingersguide.com/]   🎵 Music by Tessa Smith  🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.