How to Match Pitch

I thought I wanted to teach famous artists when I started teaching. Totally normal, right?

Of course it is, every vocal coach wants to work with the top artists in the industry.

How to Match Pitch: A Step-by-Step Guide for Budding Singers

I’ve worked with tons of professional artists, and it’s an absolute honor to coach them. But when I first started teaching, I wasn’t prepared for how much fun it would be to teach beginner singers how to match pitch.

In fact, my first student was an adult who couldn’t match pitch but had to learn to do so for her job. 👍

Can’t Match Pitch? You’re Not Alone!

You might be surprised at how many adults who want to sing can’t match pitch. It’s actually more common than you think. Here are some of the things people often say when they struggle with pitch:

• “I think I’m tone deaf.”
• “When I was a kid, I was told I should never sing again because I was so bad.”
• “I was told to hush up, so I stopped singing until I moved out.”

Sound familiar? 😔 You’re definitely not alone in this!

What Does it Mean to Match Pitch?

Matching pitch requires a lot of coordination between your brain and body. So, if you can’t match pitch, it doesn’t mean you’re tone deaf (because you probably aren’t). It simply means you haven’t yet developed the connection and coordination between your brain and body while you sing.

I want you to learn how to match pitch, and I’m here to help you with that.

Why You Might Need Professional Help to Match Pitch

Sometimes, matching pitch is most easily and quickly achieved with the help of a voice coach. While there’s plenty you can do on your own, this particular skill may require some professional guidance.

If you’re serious about improving your singing, here’s what you can start doing:

Steps to Start Matching Pitch

1. Stop Singing Along with Recordings
One reason you might struggle to match pitch is that you think you’re singing along with the music accurately. But when you sing along to your favorite songs, you’re not actually matching pitch — you’re just mimicking.

Instead, start singing by yourself. Focus on your voice, not the recording.

2. Find the Pitch Where You Speak
Find the pitch where you speak and begin your vocal exercises from there. This is the most important step. Use a piano or guitar to find that pitch, and then practice singing scales starting from that note. Gradually move up and down the scale, step by step.

You’re never going to learn to sing your favorite songs like John Legend or Orville Peck if you don’t start in your own vocal range. Once you’ve mastered where you speak, work your way up to higher notes.

3. Start with Simple Exercises
Even starting with something basic like “Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do” can be super helpful. Start on the pitch where you speak, and then move up, up, up, and back down.

4. Consistency is Key
If at any point you stop matching pitch, go back to the basics — the pitch where you speak. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to match pitch on any given day; when you lose it, return to the foundation.

I’ve seen this in countless 1-on-1 lessons — we can’t skip the basics and expect amazing results. It’s all about building that strong foundation.

5. Practice in Short Chunks
More frequent, shorter practice sessions will help you build your voice faster than long, infrequent sessions. For best results, practice matching pitch regularly to strengthen your vocal muscles.

The Power of Consistent Practice

Every singer should sing regularly if they want to see great vocal results. The more you practice and strengthen your vocal muscles, the stronger and more consistent your voice will become.

You Can Learn to Sing with Confidence

If singing is in your heart and you’re struggling to match pitch, you can learn to sing with ease, expression, and confidence.

I’ve seen it happen time and time again with students who are learning to sing for the very first time. Keep working on it — and remember, you’re capable of this journey.