Can ANYONE become a great singer??

Question

I know that some people have a natural ability, but what I'm asking is can just ANYONE become a great singer with practice?

With lets say 6 years of time practicing, could someone become an AMAZING singer if they are an average singer to start? I know that it depends on the person, but hypothetically. I mean like Jason Wade from Lifehouse good, cause that the person who my voice sounds like the most and who I emulate unconsciously. And he's really talented.

I've been told I am a good singer, I was in a musical in my theatre acting program at a college, and I've been told many times I have a great voice by music teachers, however I know I'm not great and I love it, it's just how much better does someone get? I've only been singing one year, I'm 22, I was in choir and singing classes when I was 6-9.

Any info or opinions from experience?

Answer 1

This is a difficult question.  You can certainly become a good singer with enough time and training; you can learn the notes and keys and definitely get to the point where you can admirably carry a tune; but in order to be a GREAT singer you must have innate natural talent.  There is no substitute for pure talent.

However, If you want to be a performer, don't fret:  Matthew Broderick (just one example of many) is not a great singer, but he is a good actor and can carry a tune, so guess what?  He had starring roles on Broadway twice.  If you are not a great singer but you do something else that is great (dance, act, swallow swords, whatever) then it matters less that you aren't a great singer.  Focus on becoming the best singer you can be, and try to develop your best talent, whatever that may be.

Answer 2

Keep going. I wouldn't use the word 'great' because I think to become great at anything there has to be more than just hard work and practise in the individual.

Aim to be the best you can be and dream of being great - you might get there.

Answer 3

No.

Anyone can become a competent singer -- good pitch, decent range, proper breathing, etc.  Learning to sing is like learning any instrument.  

Most pop singers are good, maybe very good.

Great singers start with the gift of a beautiful, sonorous voice.  Then, they learn to play their instrument with the prodigiousness and expression of any other master musician.  

Luciano Pavarotti was great!

Answer 4

An important component in addition to the practice, training, and a certain amount of innate talent that was already mentioned, is listening.

You know, most people aren't experts in music, but they are experts in what they like - that's no coincidence. You know from years of listening passively what you like about a person's voice. Try listening actively - find a cover song and its original and try to decide what it is about the person's voice that grabs you. Jason Wade would be a great place to start; "You Belong to Me" - TONS of singers have done that one including him. Tori Amos, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, Rosemary Clooney... in listening to their versions you'll find something else to love about the song but you may appreciate Jason Wade much more - who knows? I guess my point is to do as much listening as you can.

This is why we hear contemporary artists and compare them to Frank Sinatra, Janis Joplin etc etc etc - they have listened to singers and found them to be an influence. The timbres (tone qualities) of their voices make us think of something we've heard before that is pleasing and makes a connection in our brains.

Was Janis Joplin a great singer? Probably not according to everyone, but she was a great artist - the other half of the equation is finding material that shows off your voice the best, and singing it with your best intention possible.