How to pick songs that suit your voice

Choosing the right song can seem like a very daunting process, with so many to choose from how do you know which ones are right for you? At the end of the day you don't need to find the 'perfect' song, just one that will show off your voice and possibly help you learn some new technique. Some questions to ask yourself are:

1) What songs do you like to listen to?
At the end of the day singing a song you enjoy will always be more fulfilling than singing a song because you 'have to'. A balance between learning and fun is ideal!

2) What are your goals?
Each song is an opportunity to learn and improve. Therefore if your goal is to learn how to sing faster a slow ballad won't help you achieve that goal.

3) What vocal style suits you?
You may decide to stick to the style that suits you best or jump out of your comfort zone with a new style!
A thorough vocal education will help the singer understand how to manipulate aspects of the voice in order to blend into different styles like a vocal chameleon. Different styles of songs require different vocal technique, below is a comparison of the technical aspects needed to achieve pop, country and classical voice styles.

The voice develops as we learn to talk and therefore some of us are predisposition to making certain sounds. E.g. a student that grew up in a loud household may be accustomed to yelling and therefore find it easier to produce belt quality. Although we can learn to sing different styles some will feel comfortable than others.

After taking the above questions into consideration making a playlist of songs you'd like to sing for fun or as a challenge is a great idea to help you make decisions in the future. Your singing teacher may also recommend songs that suit your voice or challenge you in the right areas.