Why Talent Alone Won’t Make You a Great Singer (And What Will)

I used to believe that if I just had enough talent, I would inevitably find success as a singer. 

It seemed like all the stars I admired were simply born to sing. But over the years, I got a wake-up call (or two!) about what it really takes. 

The truth is, talent alone isn’t a golden ticket. 

There are plenty of incredibly talented singers who struggle to break through, and I’ve realized why.

It turns out the singers who truly grow and shine are the ones who combine their talent with a whole lot of hard work and heart. 

What does that look like in practice? Well, it means you:

✅ Show up to practice even on days you don’t feel like it.

✅ Build genuine connections in your musical community, because who you know (and support) matters.

✅ Keep learning and adapting, since the music world is always changing and there’s always something new to pick up.

In a nutshell: talent helps, but it’s not everything. 

The vocalists who succeed are usually the ones who put in the work day after day, stay consistent, and refuse to give up—even when things get tough.

That’s the part we don’t see in the highlight reels: the late-night practice sessions, the missed parties for rehearsal, the humbling voice lessons that push you out of your comfort zone.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I actually improving, or am I just kidding myself?”, you’re so not alone. 

Let’s be real—almost every singer I know (myself included!) has grappled with that question. 

Maybe you’ve had days where you finish a practice session feeling like you haven’t made any progress at all. 

Or you watch a performance of a singer you admire and think, “I’ll never be that good.”

Here’s a little secret from a voice coach who’s seen behind the curtain: even the best singers have off days and sneaky self-doubts. 

Many of my students have moments where they question if they’re really cut out for this. 

I’ve had those moments too, where I’d leave the studio thinking, “Why am I not getting this? 

Maybe I’m not meant to sing at this level.” It’s a gut-punching feeling.

But every time doubt creeps in, I remind myself (and my students) that growth is happening, even if we can’t see it yet. Think about it – progress is often quiet and subtle. 

You might not notice your voice improving in real-time, but then one day you realize you’re nailing notes that used to give you trouble. 

When you feel stuck or unsure, remember that nearly every artist has walked through that same fog. It doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re human and you’re growing enough to notice the growing pains.

Let’s talk about the pace of progress. In our digital world of quick dopamine hits and overnight TikTok stars, it’s easy to expect fast results. 

But learning to sing (or improving your voice) is more like cooking a slow, delicious stew than popping a meal in the microwave. 

Progress takes time. 

And that’s okay! In fact, it’s normal.

Every “overnight success” singer you see likely spent years honing their craft behind the scenes. 

They were doing scales, vocal exercises, writing songs, playing tiny gigs, uploading videos with 12 views – long before anyone ever called them successful. 

You don’t see those chapters on social media, but they’re there. 

The same goes for you. Every hour you put into practicing your breathing, expanding your range, or perfecting a song adds up. 

Even if today feels the same as yesterday, trust that a year from now you’ll hear the difference consistency makes.

One of my favorite comparisons is to imagine your vocal progress like a little sapling tree. 

You water it, give it sunlight, and for a while it might look like not much is happening. 

But underground, roots are forming and strengthening. 

Then one day, a tiny sprout appears. With continued care, that sprout grows taller and stronger.

That’s you! Every practice session is strengthening your foundation, even if you can’t point to a new “leaf” yet. Keep watering that vocal tree of yours, and it will flourish in time.

Also, remember that growth is not linear. 

Your journey might look more like a squiggly line than a straight upward slope. 

You might have a breakthrough week where everything clicks and then a month where you feel like you’re treading water. Don’t let those plateaus discourage you. 

They are just rest stops, giving you a chance to consolidate skills before the next climb. The key is to stay the course.

By now you know I’m a big fan of hard work and consistency. 

But there’s another piece to the puzzle: working smart. 

This means using techniques and tools that maximize your improvement and protect your voice, so all that hard work pays off without burning you out. 

One tool in particular changed the game for me and my students – and it’s almost comically simple. Ready for it? It’s a straw.

Yes, I’m talking about singing through a straw! 

The technical term is straw phonation, and it’s a type of semi-occluded vocal tract exercise (basically a fancy way of saying you partially block your airflow to create helpful back-pressure). 

When you sing into a narrow straw, magical things happen in your voice: the gentle resistance helps your vocal folds vibrate efficiently and takes strain off your throat. It’s like a massage for your voice that also builds strength and agility.

When I first heard about this, I honestly laughed. I pictured myself doing scales with a Starbucks straw in my mouth and thought, “This is going to look ridiculous.” 

But I tried it, and the results blew me away. 

After a week of consistent straw exercises, I noticed my voice felt so much better. 

My high notes were coming out more easily, my transitions (those pesky break areas in the voice) were smoothing out, and I had more stamina in long practice sessions. 

I wasn’t getting as vocally tired or raspy as before. In short, I was sold on the straw!

Now, straw exercises are a staple of my routine and something I share with every singer I coach. 

I even created a special set of metal straws called the Singing / Straw™ to make this practice easier and more effective (because not all straws are created equal, and let’s be real, those plastic ones get gross and break). 

The cool thing about the Singing / Straw is that it’s reusable and designed for singers – no more flimsy throwaways – so you can incorporate straw singing into your daily warm-ups or cooldowns reliably. 

It’s amazing how such a small tool can have a big impact on vocal control, range, and health. And science backs this up: studies have shown that straw phonation exercises can improve vocal efficiency and reduce vocal fatigue, meaning you get more bang for your buck with each practice session.

Whether you use a fancy Singing / Straw or a basic straw from your kitchen, the principle is the same: find tools and techniques that help you sing smarter. 

Lip trills, gentle sirens, proper warm-ups, staying hydrated – all of these are part of working smart so that your hard work truly pays off.

At the end of the day, remember that your singing journey is uniquely yours. It’s easy to compare yourself to others – maybe you know someone who seems to improve twice as fast, or you’re idolizing a singer who has abilities that feel out of reach. 

I want to gently remind you: you are not in a race or competition. 

There is no deadline by which you must achieve a certain vocal feat.

Every singer has a different path. Some of us zigzag, some take the long scenic route, and a lucky few sprint ahead (or so it appears). 

Whichever path you’re on, it’s the right one for you because it’s yours. The important thing is that you love what you do and keep at it. 

Every step, even a slow or shaky one, is progress. Every song you learn, every open mic you muster the courage to sing at, every new technique you try – it’s all adding to your growth.

So when things get tough or progress feels slow, take a deep breath. Remind yourself how far you’ve already come. 

Celebrate the little wins (did your voice crack one less time today? High five!). 

And when you hit a setback, don’t view it as a sign to stop – view it as part of the process. Sometimes the vocal gods test our commitment a bit 😉. 

Prove to yourself that you want it by pushing through or strategizing around the challenge. 

If one approach isn’t working, try another. 

If you’re feeling vocally tired, rest and re-group with some straw humming or gentle exercises. 

If you’re feeling uninspired, learn a new song in a genre you’ve never tried or reach out to a fellow singer for a jam session. Keep it fresh and keep going.

Most importantly, don’t quit. The singers who “make it” are the ones who didn’t give up. 

They kept singing when others got discouraged and fell away. They kept learning, kept connecting with people, kept performing even to tiny audiences. 

They had days of frustration (oh, so many), but they didn’t let that stop them.

And look – that can be you, too. You have that resilience inside you, even if it’s hard to feel sometimes. 

Trust your passion, trust the process, and give yourself grace on the hard days.

Oh, and one more thing—I’m here rooting for you. 💖 

In fact, I’m so passionate about helping fellow singers and teachers on this journey that I’ve started sharing these techniques in a more in-depth way. 

If you’re not a teacher but you’re a true vocal nerd like me, I have something special for you. Check out the upcoming Teacher Workshop – it’s like a mini bootcamp for vocal nerds. 

I’d love for you to join and get hands-on tips for building vocal strength, gaining vocal control, and unlocking new vocal potential—whether you’re a coach or just a passionate singer ready to take your voice to the next level! 

Whitney Nichole