I always try emphasize the importance of not just being a guitarist, or pianist, but becoming a musician. To me, the difference is simple. While a guitarist might understand their instrument and be able to play it well, a musician will have a greater knowledge of guitars, basses, amps, keyboards, microphones, PA systems, etc. I think part of this growth into becoming a musician is learning how to sing. Of course a pretty standard response I get from students when I tell them I think they should consider singing is “I thought I was taking guitar lessons?” Yes, this might be true, but in all reality, people want to be entertained, and singing and playing songs for your fans is a lot more entertaining then just strumming chords.

1. Learning to Sing is Learning Another Instrument
It’s amazing when you hear about these great musicians who can play 10-15 different instruments, and play them well. It kinda makes you wonder if they have ESPN or a fifth sense. Well, as a multi-instrumentalist myself, I can say that every instrument you learn gets progressively easier. So my first instrument was difficult, my second, much easier and by the time I was playing three instruments it seemed to just come naturally.I didn’t have to work as hard or for as long to get to the same level. So if you ever have hopes of learning another instrument, start with singing, and within a few years, you’ll put away another instrument no problem-o.

2. Singing Helps You Write Songs.
If you’re a songwriter, then you already have the greatest reason to start singing. Often, you’ll find yourself stuck, looking for the perfect notes, or chords to fit your next passage. Singing lets you explore melodic ideas pretty quickly thus making you a better and more efficient songwriter.

3. Singing Can Get You Paid!
The more instruments you know, the more valuable you are to a band. No band wants to fire the guy that sings, plays the guitar, works the Moog-Taurus pedals with his feet, and has cymbals mounted between his knees. Ok well, maybe the cymbals went too far, but it’s like life skills – the more education and skills you have, the more job opportunities are open for you.

4. Learning To Sing Improves Your Confidence.
To me, the ultimate example of confidence is Fonzie from Happy Days. Too cool to be cool. What’s amazing is having more confidence affects your whole personality, and your entire life. It pours out into every aspect of you, making you a better, stronger person. People will flock to you, and respect you because to them, they’ll feel like you’re the one who just has his stuff together. And really, who wouldn’t want to be the Fonz?

And the final reason why you should learn how to sing and play is…

5. Singing is Fun!
OK, I admit, I was a horrible, terrible, sounds-like-a-cat-being-tortured-singer. But those days are over, and now I can honestly say, singing is fun! My style is very different than most, as I don’t follow a lot of traditional rules about singing, but I appreciate and enjoy my singing and that’s all that matters. To me, music is all about expression of myself, so I don’t feel the need to impress anyone with my singing. As long as I’m having a blast, that’s all that really matters at the end of the day.

Keep Rockin’

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