If you’re serious about your singing, you’ll also need to be serious about your practice space- the place where you train, workout, try new things, run through your routines, sing through your repertoire. This could be your lounge, bedroom, the kitchen, loft, basement, garage- anywhere is good- but the key thing is you need a place where you can work out freely, and make top-of-your-lungs noise levels without feeling either too subconscious (ie about people hearing you through neighbouring walls), or that you are unduly disturbing others. Either situation will cause you to hold back, reduce your volume, lower your confidence and application levels- its very important that you’re not held back by these limitations in your practice environment.
Ideally you can already think of somewhere suitable? If not, you may need to get creative. Any friends, family or neighbours with suitable spaces that you can borrow? Or perhaps you can make arrangements with those around you? If they know you’re practising at 7pm on a Tuesday, for example- well perhaps they won’t be in- or perhaps they won’t mind anyway?!. Starting up a dialogue is the best way. One of my singers gets her boyfriend to wear headphones when she’s practising! He says he doesn’t mind hearing her, but she just feels more comfortable this way. Practising in the park may even be an option for you in the summer months if you fancy being outside- don’t worry about feeling silly- i promise you, no-one will come near you! Whatever you arrange for yourself, just make sure you can make it work for you.
The following equipment make great additions to your practice space. Some of them essential, others you can acquire over time.
Stereo/ Speakers
For playing exercises & songs through. You’ll need to have something with enough power that you can still hear it clearly when singing loudly over the top.
Mirror
It’s so helpful to practice in front of a mirror. You can check yourself out for postural alignment, tension, face/ jaw position etc- as well as perfecting your stage moves- great for improving confidence.
Printer
It’s important to not be using a mobile phone for these, or ipad- you don’t really want to be staring a screen and scrolling with fingers when you’re singing. Print lyrics in a nice large readable font, try and get on to maximum of two pages (flipping pages is a pain mid song). Of course, printing isn’t great for the environment- use recycled paper!
Music stand
For printed lyrics, notes etc (keep a pen/ pencil nearby). Something like this is perfectly fine for a budget option. For stronger/ more durable quality, try this..
Keyboard
Even a cheap keyboard with a small range is a helpful learning tool for singers. For picking out melody lines, working out where notes are in your range etc.
Dictaphone/ Voice Recorder/ iPhone
Helpful for recording your sessions, and listening back for improvements.
Water/ Herbal Tea
Keeping hydrated is essential for singers.
Microphone/ Speakers
Not an essential item at first, but if you have the funds for it, it can be an amazing way to practice- amplifying yourself in the room, perfecting your microphone practice, hearing yourself through the speakers, thus emulating a live situation for you.