Training the ear
Acquiring sensitivity to the subtleties of musical texture is essential to singing.
The transition from good singer to fantastic singer is often to do with
learning to hear everything that is actually happening in the music and
one's voice. Many good singers, riding on large amounts of natural
ability, cannot offer their audience the something extra which comes
with understanding. For that matter, not all audience members
appreciate higher quality either. But studying music formally is
expensive, and requires time and effort, so not everyone gets the
opportunity. But for those who do, there are a wide range of aural
exercises to do with clapping rhythms, identifying intervals, analysing
melodies, hearing chord progressions, which will bring out more of
their sensitivity and comprehension of music. This will lead to
interesting phrasing, variety in colour, ability to harmonise and
staying in tune, even when the performer is tired.