Job profile: Singer

When you hear the word "singer", international superstars such as Pink, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé or our German VIPs such as Xavier Naidoo, Lena Meyer-Landrut and Mark Forster immediately spring to mind. However, as top earners, they only represent a small part of this genre. Most professionals are not known to the masses. They perform on smaller stages, are active in special genres that do not correspond to the mainstream or remain in the background as background or choir singers, for example. Their earnings are much lower as a result. However, singers are not deterred by this, because singing and music are their great passion, for which they are happy to take on a part-time job to bridge hard times.

Singers usually specialize in a genre that they like or enjoy the most. This can be R&B, pop music, pop songs or opera music, for example. However, their creative power is not limited to these genres. Artists like to experiment and mix different styles as the mood takes them.

Singers are also distinguished by whether they are the main act on stage or prefer to keep a low profile. Depending on their profession, singers also have different tasks.

1. standing in the foreground and being the star of the show

• Opera singers: Performances in magnificent theaters, opera houses and concert halls; including acting.

• Musical singers: Fixed performance venue for several years, e.g. "The Lion King" in Hamburg; guest performances in opera houses or on tour; incl. dance and acting interludes.

• Pop/rock/R&B/rap/jazz/hit singers etc.: Performances at various events (wedding, christening, birthday, etc.), at festivals and in the world's major stadiums on tour; part of a (cover) band as lead singer or solo entertainer.

• Classical singers: Performing at classical concerts, usually accompanied by an orchestra, pieces by Mozart, Vivaldi and Beethoven, for example.

2. stand in the background, but still be important for the show

• Background singers: Perform as much or sometimes more than front singers, because they sing a second, third or fourth voice that must be sustained throughout the entire piece without being distracted by the main singer - strong vocal volume and the right intonation are required.

• Chorus singers: Outstanding singers with different vocal ranges (e.g. bass, tenor, alto, soprano), but who feel more comfortable in a group; part of professional choirs of various musical genres - most common genre: classical opera choir.

3. perform behind the scenes and are not visible to the audience

• Studio singers: spend most of their time in recording studios, especially recording film music, commercials or radio jingles.

Singers spend a large part of their working time rehearsing new pieces of music and, if necessary, rehearsing with their band, choir or orchestra. They follow the instructions of vocal coaches, conductors and directors, for example. Musical and opera performers are also faced with the challenge of not only performing their role musically, but also integrating acting. Pop singers sometimes incorporate choreography into their shows, which they have to learn. Artists rehearse for several hours a day. Singers also take singing lessons to train and develop their voice to the best of their ability. Like the studio singer, other singers can also be in the recording studio themselves and record their music for albums or records.

Pop singers often sing playback during some of their performances to protect their voice or due to hoarseness. Then they just move their lips and the music is played in the background. The supreme discipline is, of course, performing live. Here, singers have tiny headphones in their ears so that they can hear their voice and hit the right note without being distracted by the background noise around them.

Many singers only cover the songs of other musicians. However, there are also some who write their own songs or music. In this case, they are singers and songwriters in one.

Would you like to know what singers do for their voice? In our article "How to become a singer?" we give you a few tips on how to take optimum care of your voice so that you are always ready to perform.

Industries in which singers find employment:

• Film, television and radio

• Musical theater, opera, operetta and musicals

• Advertising and web

• Show events

The term singer refers to an entertainer in the entertainment industry.

Singers have talent. Their voice is beautiful and very individual - smoky, resonant, lilting, bright, deep or similar. They also show their musicality and creative streak in so-called jam sessions or improvisations. They can vary their voice, change vocal ranges and hit the right notes, as well as adapt rhythm and melodies.

Those who write or compose songs themselves also have a good feel for linguistic design and aesthetics. Singers are entertainers and work in the entertainment industry. Part of the job is therefore to deliver a convincing performance at the touch of a button and to get the audience to feel the right way. Regardless of whether the singer is in a good or bad mood today.

Concerts and shows usually last up to several hours. This not only strains the voice, but also requires a good level of fitness. Those who are dancing or moving at the same time as singing can be compared to a top athlete. Moreover, musicians understand that every person they meet can be a potential supporter and take them where they want to go. Therefore, they are geniuses at socializing and know how to build a fan base. Friendliness, charm and determination are among the key qualities of a singer.

You can find out what qualifications an up-and-coming singer should have in order to seriously consider a career as a professional singer in this article How to become a singer.

Singers find jobs:

• at film and television studios

• at radio stations

• with production companies

• in musical theater, operas, operettas & musicals

• at event and advertising agencies

• industrial and commercial enterprises

• Universities, colleges and singing schools

• with private individuals

Unfortunately, it happens again and again that singers fall for scammers. Inexperienced newcomers in particular are an easy target. If you pay attention to the following three points, you will be on the safe side:

• Reject agents or labels who demand money for signing you and/or want to pass on additional costs to you for vocal training, vocal recordings or similar.

• Contracts should be discussed with a specialist (e.g. lawyer) and checked by them. This costs a few hundred euros, but is worth the effort if it saves you a rude awakening afterwards.

• All legal and financial agreements should be recorded in writing.

You can neither deny training in general nor classify it as generally necessary. This is because different professions require different qualifications. For example, classical opera or choir singers must have completed vocal training at a music academy. Pop singers, on the other hand, do not need any special training. However, singing lessons are highly recommended. At some point, they also resort to a vocal coach or private lessons in order to perfect their voice and possibly change their vocal fach without damaging their voice.

Depending on which genre and career you choose, there are various paths you can take as a newcomer. Would you like to find out more about your training options? Then read the article How to become a singer.

Casting shows such as "Das Supertalent" or "The Voice of Germany" are very popular with viewers. They are also a promising way for up-and-coming singers to break into the music business. Time has proven that you have to make it to the final few candidates to be successful and gain a foothold as a singer. With each new season, thousands of artists try to make it one round further. However, those who appear on TV are only a small proportion. Others want to make it on their own. Given this situation, you can only imagine how big and strong the competition really is.

Bands should think about possibly taking part in a band contest. Because the prizes are impressive. Free studio productions, promo videos, coaching, organized tours and a label contract can be up for grabs for the winners. There are also competitions of this kind for solo artists and songwriters. But here too there are many applicants.

True to the motto "practice early", it is certainly an advantage if you have already sung in the school choir, were part of the school band or went to early music education. At the end of the day, only the best candidate will prevail when applying for a job. But even for the jury, it is sometimes not so easy to choose the best. That's why they also include relevant references in their decision-making process. Newcomers often have no choice but to audition or perform unpaid, simply for the sake of references.

In the field of classical music, low male voices (tenors, basses) and female voices currently have it easier, as they are in the greatest demand.

The number of freelancers is increasing all the time. However, permanent positions in the theater are just as popular, as singers here have guest, service or work contracts and their salaries are regulated by collective agreements. This means that they not only have a regular monthly income, but are also paid fairly.

The income of singers varies greatly. The level of salaries depends above all on the singer's training and fame. The study by Maximilian Norz (2016) on the average annual net income also shows that there are few top earners in the top ranks, but a high concentration in the lower income segment.

Choir members who are more confident and want to try something new can try their luck as solo artists or apply for leading roles. Classical singers in particular have received excellent training and are therefore also able to give challenging singing lessons to young singers if they are enthusiastic about music education and are happy to pass on their knowledge.

There are also singers who build up a second mainstay as actors or set up a label themselves to promote newcomers as music producers.

For information on the career of an actor, the articles Berufsbild: Schauspieler (m/w/d) and Wie wird man Schauspieler? are interesting and helpful.