How Long Does It Take to Learn to Sing? A Realistic Timeline
Tyler Connaghan Music producer, Singer
12/15/25 | Last modified: 12/15/25
First of all, congrats on getting serious about learning how to sing! It’s an exciting endeavor that can have a life-changing impact on your creative output. With that said, it can also be frustrating at times, especially when you hear wonderful voices every day and wonder how long it actually takes to get there (or if you even can).
So let’s answer the question directly: how long does it take to learn to sing?
The honest answer is that it depends.
Some people notice changes in a few weeks. Others take months to feel confident. Almost everyone improves faster than they expect once they understand what to work on and how to practice.
This guide breaks down realistic timelines, the biggest factors that influence progress, and how smart feedback tools can help shorten the learning curve.
If you’ve ever asked yourself how long does it take to get good at singing, you’ve come to the right place.
How Long Does It Take to Learn to Sing: Typical Learning Timelines
There’s no single finish line for singing. As someone who has been singing for more than 15 years, I’m still learning new things about my voice all the time. With that said, most learners move through similar stages. It can be helpful to know what these phases are so you can set realistic expectations and keep yourself from getting discouraged.
For Absolute Beginners
Estimated timeline: 6–12 weeks for noticeable improvement. 3–6 months for solid fundamentals.
At this stage, progress is often faster than expected. Beginners are usually working on:
- Learning how to control their pitch
- Getting rid of throat and jaw tension
- Learning basic breath coordination
- Singing short phrases without strain
Research suggests that pitch perception and pitch control can be developed through targeted vocal practice, even in adults who initially struggle to sing in tune.
One controlled study found that participants of varying singing ability — including those classified as “out-of-tune” had significant pitch improvements when imitating sung intervals, predominantly when guided by a live human voice rather than instruments, showing that accurate singing is a trainable skill rather than an innate trait.
With consistent practice (even 10–15 minutes a day), most beginners can improve their tone and pitch within a few weeks.
For Intermediate Learners
Estimated timeline: 6–18 months
This is where things slow down a bit, not because progress stops, but because skills are more detailed. Intermediate singers often focus on:
- Register transitions between low and high notes
- Resonance and vowel shaping
- Stamina and consistency
- Early vibrato or style control
You might not feel the same level of dramatic improvement day-to-day here, but your overall sound will feel more reliable. Many singers at this stage start sounding “like singers” rather than people trying to sing.
For Advanced Learners
Estimated timeline: 2–4+ years
At the advanced stage, most singers are trying to refine their voices rather than practice basic abilities. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t consistently return to fundamentals, as singers tend to get complacent with things they think they know really well. However, the majority of your time should be spent on the nuances, such as:
- Finding a consistent tone across the entire range
- Adapting to different styles
- Learning emotional control and creative phrasing
- Performing confidently under pressure
Advanced vocal skills develop gradually through long-term coordination and repetition. There aren’t any shortcuts here, so if you ever see any online “vocal coaches” offering a “singing hack to sound like a pro now,” run.
Even highly skilled singers continue refining their technique throughout their careers.
Check out this video of Michael Bolton (arguably one of the greatest male singers of the late 1980s) in his singing lesson:
Yes, even someone who is that successful with decades of training still takes time to practice.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Two people practicing the same amount can progress at different rates.
The biggest difference is usually how they practice, not how much natural ability they have. Structured feedback, proper technique, and recovery time are more important than raw effort.
If you’re still building core skills, check out our How to Sing Better guide. It offers a clear breakdown of fundamentals that can help you progress faster and, more importantly, without hurting your voice.
Factors That Impact How Long It Takes to Learn to Sing
Progress isn’t linear, which is why many new singers get frustrated. You may have different hurdles to overcome compared to someone else, and that’s totally normal. Keep the following things in mind as you progress.
Starting Point
Some singers have good pitch right off the bat. They might have a musical background, or something might just click for them. Others have to start from scratch.
A recent study from the University of Surrey shows that our brains can learn to grasp absolute pitch through repetition and feedback, even later in life.
Your starting point will influence how fast you progress, but it won’t cap your potential.
Frequency and Consistency of Practice
Short, regular sessions are far better than long, inconsistent ones.
Motor-learning research consistently shows that frequent repetition improves skill retention faster than occasional intensity. Studies on the spacing effect further support this, showing that spreading practice over time can improve memory, skill reinforcement, and long-term recall, especially when learning complex physical and cognitive skills.
Go for five focused sessions a week instead of one long session every weekend.
Voice Type and Physiology
All humans are different, and as such, our vocal fold length, thickness, and coordination vary. Some voices are able to find high notes faster, while others develop a low range more easily.
Healthy vocal function depends on airflow, muscle balance, and recovery. Force it, and you risk developing vocal disorders.
Instructor or Learning Method
Guided learning with feedback can greatly speed up your progress. Several studies show that real-time auditory feedback can significantly improve our motor learning accuracy.
Self-correction is often the missing link when we practice by ourselves, which is why I highly recommend finding a coach to work with if you’re serious.
Musical Genre and Techniques
Learning how to sing pop is a different journey from learning opera or musical theater. Each style places different demands on the voice.
Pop singing often emphasizes a speech-like delivery, with a controlled, straight tone and stylistic flexibility, while musical theater has a greater emphasis on diction and range.
Opera is a whole other beast. It often involves longer training timelines due to the need for advanced breath control, resonance shaping, and sustained projection without amplification.
Since each genre has unique technical priorities, the time it takes to “get good” at singing can vary significantly depending on the style you’re pursuing.
If you plan on working with a teacher, look for someone who can train you based on the style you’re looking to improve.
Practice Tools and Environment
Recording yourself, using pitch reference tools, and improving how you hear your own voice all reduce guesswork and wasted effort.
How Forbrain Can Help You Learn to Sing Faster
One of the biggest delays in learning to sing comes from unclear feedback. Many singers simply don’t hear themselves accurately while practicing.
Forbrain is a bone-conduction headset that sends your voice directly back to your inner ear, bypassing room acoustics and external noise. Bone conduction is a well-documented auditory pathway used in clinical hearing assessment
This direct feedback can help you develop pitch and timing more easily and notice inconsistencies in your tone and onsets more clearly.
Rather than practicing blindly, Forbrain can help you make immediate corrections. I highly recommend using it during your warm-ups and pitch accuracy drills as a starting point.
Final Thoughts – How Long Does It Take to Get Good at Singing?
So, how long does it take to learn to sing? Long enough to be worth it, and often less time than people initially fear.
As a beginner, you’ll likely hear improvement within weeks. Intermediate skills develop over months, and advanced control can take years, even for professionals. The real difference comes down to how consistent you are with your practice, the level of feedback you receive, and your patience.
With the right amount of effort, realistic expectations, and the proper toolkit, you’ll have a more enjoyable time discovering true growth as a singer.
Reference List
Granot, R. Y., Israel-Kolatt, R., Gilboa, A., & Kolatt, T. (2013). Accuracy of Pitch Matching Significantly Improved by Live Voice Model. Journal of Voice, 27(3), 390.e13–390.e20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2013.01.001
Adults can learn absolute pitch: new research challenges long-held musical belief | University of Surrey. (2025). Surrey.ac.uk. https://www.surrey.ac.uk/news/adults-can-learn-absolute-pitch-new-research-challenges-long-held-musical-belief
Farnam Street. (2018, December 18). The Spacing Effect: How to Improve Learning and Maximize Retention. Farnam Street. https://fs.blog/spacing-effect/
NIDCD. (2015). Taking Care of Your Voice. NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-voice
Dhillon, V. (2025). Vocal Cord Disorders. Www.hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vocal-cord-disorders
The effectiveness of the auditory technique (forbrain) in the development of auditory perception. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Mourid Arak, Amina Hadi Muhammad, ishraqat tanmawia 2023, Volume 8, Issue 35.
