The Creative Singers’ Career Map

STAGE #1: Singing Convert - dare to dream

STAGE #2: Singing Adventurer - trial and error.

STAGE #3: Singing Cosmopolite - lift off

STAGE #4: Singing Master - true artistry

STAGE #5: Singing Daredevil - reinvention

STAGE #6: Singing Connoisseur - influence

A guide for singers who have decided to go all in with their singing.

Written particularly for those slightly over 21. 😉

Career is a big word (candidly, I couldn’t find a good enough replacement - it will do for now. ). It doesn’t have to mean solely full professional mode - you’re not a lesser singer if you earn your cash elsewhere.

This guide is for those who are more ambitious than the once a week singing for pleasure/social.

You’re of the mindset that if you’re going to do this, you’d like to do it well. And why not.

It does 3 things:

1) show you where you are with your singing and where you could be next - particularly if you’ve hit a demanding patch.

2) expose where you could be focusing your time - spot any chinks in your progress. We’re all guilty of avoidance at times.

3) help you make decisions for the future. Weigh up whether the later stages are where your heart lies and - critically - if you’re prepared to put in the time and effort to get those high-end results.

From teaching in Higher Ed, experience, and fellow singers, I’ve noticed that, regardless of what you choose to sing, all pass through some or all the following stages in the Career Map👆

A couple of the stages are particularly tough, but all bring their joys and tricky moments.

A singing career doesn’t just involve the singing bit. It’s likely you’ll be tackling lots of other stuff so you may find yourself straddling a few stages at once. This is standard.

I hope it helps you navigate your career choices, get you closer to where you’d love to be with your singing and, above all, enjoy the moment.

And know that if other’s have successfully upgraded to the next stage - so can you! 😊

#1 Singing Convert

Stage 1 —dare to dream

You decide to go all in and take this singing thing seriously. You’re completely thrilled by the idea and resolve to do wonderful things. You plan out your rosy future and picture the gigs, the recordings, the shows, the people, the venues, and all the new opportunities.  It’s a necessary phase - enjoy! 

Your objective:

To wallow deeply in all the fantasies of your singing future. You have no idea what’s coming next so plan for the big dream. Now is not the moment for limiting yourself with ‘realistic’ choices - plenty of time for that later! Paint huge castles in the sky. Create mood boards. Start a singing career folder. Create a home studio. Allow yourself to dream and let loose all your deepest desires.

Your challenge:

To believe you can! Not allowing ‘practical-you’ talk yourself out if it: not enough time, not good enough, already millions of singers in the world, no one will want to hear me sing, I’ll be laughed at, family/friends will shoot me down etc.

If you want this badly enough the calling won’t go away! Every time you catch someone else doing close to what you would love, it will bite hard. As they say: be in it to win it. Might as well start now. 

Micro-assignment:

Spend a relaxed, carefree day by yourself somewhere nice and/or inspirational with nothing else to do but let your mind meander. 👇

• potter around a flea market

• a long solitary walk

• a day in a spa

• a rainy day with ironing (works for me)

• museums

• a trip out of town

• an afternoon weeding the garden

Avoid: 

• squeeze it in between running errands

• lunchtime break at work

• at home surrounded by piles of life admin and demanding family (ironing aside!)

#2 Singing Adventurer

Stage 2 —trial and error

You dive in full of enthusiasm to test out your ideas and find out what really floats your singing boat. (Sometimes our imagination lies). Being bold and humble helps you through. The few tricky moments prove you’re growing.

Your objective:

To find your feet, get experience and develop some inkling of the direction you’d like to head in.

Your challenge:

To both not give up and also not give up too soon! To not be put off by any ‘didn’t go as well as I’d liked’ experiences. To not limit yourself to what you think you’d enjoy. Accept you’ll likely be not that great (at first!). Anything that terrifies you - e.g. live performance - will NOT be enjoyable now, but could be later on. Not assume everyone else is marvellous and you are a disaster.

Micro-assignment:

Have a go and try out lots of different things. Treat as a massive experiment and reframe any yikes! moments as the just par for the course.

Along the way build up between 1-5 enjoyable and affirming experiences that convince you are on the right path:

might be an unprompted compliment from a stranger or teacher (or family member - the most demanding of critics! 😅). You connect with a particular song that seems to sit well with your voice. You have riotous fun at a jam. You realise you write memorable songs. You start hanging out with a musical crowd who like the same things…

#3 Singing Cosmopolite

Stage 3 —lift off

You’re established and can say with rightful confidence you’re a singer. You have song, projects and musical connections. The Yes/No-o-meter starts to lean more towards Yes. You may not - yet! - be setting the world alight with your singing but it’s definitely working and you feel excited about what could be next.

Your objective:

To get skill level, experience and musical discernment up a level so you can deliver the music you want to deliver - live or studio orientated.

You get comfortable truly understanding what you would like. Enjoy the process, not get frustrated over that that takes the time it takes. (Skill). Or rushing and not maturing a creative project.

Your challenge:

You don’t know what you don’t know!

Micro-assignment:

Make 5 videos of you singing and watch back. Aim for a variety of context - particularly live - useful to see how you respond in different context. Get detached with listening back and being objective in how you sound.

(Be kind - no one enjoys this at first!) Be moreSeek out opinions from .

#4 Singing Master

Stage 4 —true artistry

Technique, artistry and soul click to create something remarkable. If professional, your skillset is impeccable and you are highly regarded in your chosen area of singing. You’re assured with strong inner conviction in what you do with a defined, recognisable sound and style. Some doors you no longer need to bang on and opportunities naturally come your way. Recognition and rewards follow.

Your goal:

To make the most of this season of your singing. Look back to ‘Singing Convert’ time and appreciate how far you have come. It’s a moment in time - enjoy!

Your challenge:

To strike a balance between enjoying the moment and not wasting the opportunities it provides. To remember it will end.

Micro-assignment:

Be strategic - particularly if the opportunities are plentiful. Keep recordings. If surrounded by largesse - financial, new connections etc. - track these and seek out those or cultivate situations with those who could help you grow. Consider expanding or upgrading your creative team.

#5 Singing Daredevil

Stage 5 —Reinvention

You reach the peak of one cycle and start to feel restless. Perhaps current projects don’t thrill you as they once did, you’ve reached as far as you can, or things have naturally come to an end: close of venue, band split, change of personal circumstances, trends. For some, there’s a sense of ‘time out’ and they explore another angle of their creative self, perhaps not directly related to singing, with the idea of returning later. Others shift in the opposite direction entirely, seeking out fresh collaborators and experimenting with unique sounds and styles. You delight the world with a new version of your artistry, attracting different partnerships and further cementing your place as a unique authority in your field.

Your Goal:

To accept your transformation and allow your artistic ideas to evolve.

Your challenge:

To not keep doing the same old thing, fall back into old ways, stick with habitual partnerships. To not worry about a drop in status - your artistry and skill will shine through. To not get despondent if industry trends or simple life shifts have forced this upon you. To not fight it and allow the idea of doing something new with your singing valid. To not rush in but allow time for a new direction to unfold.

Micro Assignment:

In a way you’re returning to ‘Adventurer’ stage with the added advantage of a bigger network, experience - both industry and life - and an deeper sense of self-awareness. Consider all other skills and artistry. Seek out 5 new ways to kickstart creativity:

1) give power to a friend - let them decide !

2) organise a play session with an instrumentalist you wouldn’t normally sing with: string quartet, trombone, synth, zither…

3) go to a session outside your style

4) make connections in another city

5) spend an afternoon in a huge bookshop - Foyles is highly recommended 👌- drift around and see what topics grab you.

#6 Singing Connoisseur

Stage 6 — influence

You’ve a level of finesse and deep, deep understanding of your art. Your expert opinion is often sought, and you are encouraged to contribute and offer feedback. Yours is the first name that comes up in your field. You receive invitations for prized positions.

Your goal:

Look back at your singing life and plug any small creative gaps yet unfulfilled, desires yet not explored.

Your challenge:

Be discerning over what is still serving you. To not stagnate and stultify - to find a balance between wisdom and what is new.

Micro-assignment:

Go beyond and find new stimuli either through a fresh approach to sharing your work or a new medium. Encourage connections beyond your immediate circle.

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