The Ultimate Guide to Sing A song in Your Own, Authentic Way

Have you ever felt like you’re just copying the original singer when covering a song? You might hit all the right notes, but something still feels off—as if you’re not fully expressing yourself. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you because I’m sharing the ultimate guide to singing songs in your own authentic style so you can truly sound like you.

Why Copying the Original Singer Holds You Back

Hi, I’m Maggie, founder of the Singing Insiders, where I help passionate singers become the best versions of themselves through practical tools, techniques, and insights.

One of the biggest mistakes beginner singers make is imitating the original artist too closely. It’s natural—you love the song and want to sing it just like the person who made it famous. But trained singers know how to take the essence of a song and then add their own vocal variety—playing with rhythm, melody, harmony, and more—to make the song their own. This creative play is what truly brings a cover to life.

The Importance of Storytelling and Emotion

Another common pitfall is focusing too much on technique and forgetting the emotion behind the song. Remember, it’s not about copying the original singer’s feelings, but connecting to your own interpretation. For example, if you’re singing an Adele heartbreak ballad but you’re not feeling heartbreak, maybe you relate to the lyrics with nostalgia instead. Singing from your authentic emotional perspective is what makes your version resonate.

Step 1: Get Comfortable with the Vocal Side of Singing

Before you can make a song your own, you need to be comfortable singing it technically. If you struggle with high notes or vocal breaks, it’s hard to immerse yourself fully in the song’s story. That’s why the first step is learning the vocal techniques to confidently sing every part of the song—and then practicing those techniques until they become second nature through muscle memory. Like riding a bike, once those skills are ingrained, you won’t have to consciously think about them while singing.

Step 2: Let Go and Embrace Your Creative Vision

Once your vocal techniques are mastered and automatic, it’s time to let go of the original song’s exact sound. This step is about trusting your voice and your muscle memory, then daring to add your own twists—whether that’s improvising with melody, rhythm, or vocal effects like growls or vocal fry. The key is to have a creative vision for how you want your song to sound, and to boldly make it happen.

Step 3: Make the Song Personal and Connect with Your Listener

Finally, the magic happens when you make the song personal. Great singers don’t just sing notes—they tell a story. Who is the “I” in the song for you? Is it you now, or a past version of yourself? Who is the “you” you’re singing to? Is it a person, a group, or even something abstract? Playing with these questions helps you create an authentic emotional connection that your audience can feel deeply—giving them goosebumps and making your performance unforgettable.

Bringing It All Together: Vocal Freedom

Your vocal journey isn’t just about technique—it’s about blending skill with creativity and personal expression. When you combine these elements, you achieve what I call vocal freedom—the trust and freedom to sing authentically and creatively without hesitation. This episode has only scratched the surface of vocal freedom, and if you want to dive deeper, I’ve linked a special video training in the description below.

If you’re a passionate singer struggling with tension, hoarseness, or strain despite your efforts, I’d love to show you how to sing powerful high notes and expand your range without strain or hoarseness—so you can sing your favorite songs easily and effortlessly, even if you’re short on practice time because of other life responsibilities.

Grab the free secret Mix Voice Training here: https://www.singinginsiders.com/secret-video-opt-in

Keep singing your heart out, and I’ll see you in the next episode!

👀 Secret Vocal Freedom Training Video: https://www.singinginsiders.com/secret-video-opt-in-yt-fnl-vfm 

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your singing progress despite regular practice, watching YouTube tutorials, or even taking vocal lessons, you’re not alone. Click here to unlock your true vocal potential, hit high (and low!) notes effortlessly, and sing in public with confidence—without relying on natural talent or years of training.

Grab the free secret Vocal Freedom Training here: https://www.singinginsiders.com/secret-video-opt-in-yt-fnl-vfm 

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If you're ready to up-level your singing, be surrounded by a team of coaches to help you throughout your singing journey and be part of a community of like-minded singers, then the Singing Insiders membership is for you! Click here to join the waitlist: https://www.singinginsiders.com/si-waitlist

Ready to sing high notes easily and expand your range fast? Register for this FREE training walking you through the step-by-step process to develop your mix voice:  https://www.singinginsiders.com/shne-training-opt-in-fnl