- You have listened to songs in movies, albums, or music streaming platforms.
- Someone is singing behind the scenes to create those musical performances.
- These professionals are called Singers or Vocal Artists.
- 👉 In simple words: Singers perform songs using their voice for films, concerts, music albums, live shows, social media, and digital music platforms.
Singer
What Do They Do?
🎓 How to Become a Singer / Vocal Artist
The courses to pursue this career are given below :
These beginner-level courses help students improve vocal control, pitch accuracy, rhythm, breathing techniques, stage confidence, and basic music performance skills.
Certificate in Music (Vocal)
Duration: 6 Months
Eligibility: Class 10 Pass
Entrance Exam: Direct Admission / Basic Music Aptitude Test
Certificate in Performing Arts - Karnatak Music
Duration: 6 Months
Eligibility: Class 10 Pass
Entrance Exam: Direct Admission
Diploma in Classical Music
Duration: 1 Year
Eligibility: Class 10 Pass
Entrance Exam: No Exam
Diploma in Performing Arts - Classical Music
Duration: 4 Years
Eligibility: Class 5 Pass
Entrance Exam: Institutional Aptitude Test
📝 Exam Details
(Click on the exam name to see full details)
Direct Admission Basic Music Aptitude Test Institutional Aptitude Test Vocal AuditionNote: Most beginner singing and vocal training courses after 10th focus on practical vocal performance and usually do not require national-level entrance exams.
These courses help students develop advanced vocal techniques, music theory knowledge, live performance skills, and professional music industry experience.
Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) in Vocal Music
Duration: 3 – 4 Years
Eligibility: Class 12 Pass
Entrance Exam: Practical Performance Test / Music Aptitude Test
BA / BA honours in Music
Duration: 3 - 4 Years
Eligibility: Class 12 Pass
Entrance Exam: CUET UG / Performance Audition
Diploma in Classical Vocal
Duration: 1 Year
Eligibility: Class 12 Pass
Entrance Exam: AAFT-GET
Diploma in Indian Classical Music
Duration: 1 Year
Eligibility: Class 12 Pass
Entrance Exam: Institutional Aptitude Test
📝 Exam Details
(Click on the exam name to see full details)
Practical Performance Test Music Aptitude Test CUET UG AAFT-GET Institutional Aptitude Test Performance AuditionNote: Most degree-level music programs after 12th focus on vocal performance, stage presentation, music theory, and practical training through auditions or performance-based tests.
These advanced programs help students specialize in vocal performance, music theory, stage presentation, composition, and professional music careers.
Master of Performing Arts (MPA) in Vocal
Duration: 2 Years
Eligibility: Graduate in Music
Entrance Exam: CUET-PG / Voice Audition
MA in Music
Duration: 2 Years
Eligibility: Graduate (Any stream with music background)
Entrance Exam: University Entrance Test / CUET-PG
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Music
Duration: 2 Years
Eligibility: Graduate in Music
Entrance Exam: University Entrance Exam
📝 Exam Details
(Click on the exam name to see full details)
Voice Audition University Entrance Test CUET-PGNote: Most postgraduate music programs focus on advanced vocal training, live performance, specialization in music styles, and professional-level stage or studio experience.
These online singing and vocal training programs help students improve vocal control, pitch accuracy, breathing techniques, stage confidence, and music performance skills.
Music Courses
Duration: 4 – 6 Weeks
Eligibility: Open to All
Provider: Coursera
Vocal Courses
Duration: 2 – 10 Hours
Eligibility: Open to All
Provider: Udemy
Learn Indian Music
Duration: 5+ Hours
Eligibility: Open to All
Provider: Shankar Mahadevan Academy
Learn Music Online
Duration: 1 – 3 Hours
Eligibility: Open to All
Provider: Artium Academy
Note: Most online singing and vocal courses focus on practical performance, voice exercises, and audio-based assignments rather than written exams.
Note:
(Age limits, marks, and admission process may vary depending on the college or state.
Below are some colleges that offer these courses.
These courses are available in many colleges and universities across India. You can choose colleges based on your location, budget, and entrance exams.)
🏛️ Colleges offering these courses in India
(Tap on a college to view details)
After Class 10
Sona Devi University, Jamshedpur REVA University, Bengaluru The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi Parul University, VadodaraAfter Class 12
Asian Academy of Film & Televisioj, Noida Parul University, Vadodara Christ University, Bengaluru NMIMS School of Performing Arts, Mumbai Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune Lovely Professional University, PunjabSTEP 1
Imagine you are working as a Singer.
STEP 2
One morning, you begin practicing vocal exercises and warming up your voice.
STEP 3
You rehearse songs, improve your singing techniques, and prepare for recordings or live performances.
STEP 4
People listen to your songs through concerts, movies, albums, streaming apps, and social media.
STEP 5
If this excites you, this career may suit you.
Where do Singers work? (Job Roles + Growth)
Singers work in : Music recording studios, Film and television productions, Live concerts and stage shows, Music bands and orchestras, Music events and festivals, Advertising and commercial productions, Music labels, You Tube and digital media, and other Music and entertainment projects.
🟢 Beginner Roles
Chorus Singer / Backing Vocalist
(After Certificate in Music / Singing Popular Music)
They sing support melodies and harmonies behind a lead artist.
Jingle / Scratch Vocalist
(After Diploma in Light Music / Vocal Training Masterclass)
Record vocal tracks for commercials or samples for music directors.
🔵 Mid-Level Roles
Live Band Vocalist
(After BA (Hons) in Music / Singing Techniques)
They perform songs live at corporate events, festivals, and music venues.
Independent Indie Artist
(After BPA in Vocal Music / Singing and Vocal Performance)
They write, sing, and release their own original music on streaming platforms.
🟣 Advanced Roles
Playback Singer
(After MPA in Vocal / Indian Classical Music Foundations)
They record songs for movies, albums, and professional studio productions.
Vocal Coach / Music Educator
(After MA in Music)
They train singers in vocal techniques, breathing control, and music theory.
International Music & Film Industries
They hire singers for movie soundtracks, albums, concerts, and studio recordings.
Music Streaming Platforms
Release songs through platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
International Concerts & Live Shows
Perform at global music festivals,cultural programs, and live entertainment events.
Independent Music & Online Content
Build audiences through social media, music apps, and original online content.
(Click Yes or No for each question)
1. Do you enjoy singing?
2. Do you enjoy performing in front of people?
3. When you listen to songs, have you ever thought, “I want to sing like this too?”
4. Imagine you are called to sing a song for a movie or an album. You read the lyrics of the song and practise it several times. You sing the song in a recording studio. Finally, when the movie or album is released, people start listening to the song you sang. Do you like this type of work?
5. A music company is looking for a singer for a live concert. You are selected to sing a few songs at the concert. You practise the songs and work on your voice and expressions. When the concert begins, you sing in front of the audience and they enjoy your performance. Does this type of work interest you?