Good singers (that are not professional) do not copy other singers. Great singers develop their own style and technique. I have a friend who thinks she is horrible unless she is singing along with the original singer. And duh, they do sing in tune. That's what singing is, period. You haven't developed any proper listening skills if you are trying to sound exactly like the recording, because you don't know what YOU really sound like. Remember that professional singers are recorded in a high-tech studio and their voices are mixed and tweeked like you wouldn't believe. Get professional voice lessons if you really want to improve your own voice. If you can't afford them, take a look at these websites about online voice lessons that will help your technique, but not necessarily your voice, which is the thing you do within yourself.

Expertvillage.com/voice-lessons
singingsuccessonline.com
singingvoicelessons.com

If you cannot already sing in tune, you are probably not breathing properly or are singing incorrectly. Drink lots of water periodically, always warm up before you sing and rest your voice for a few days when you are tired or ill. Keep good posture when singing so you sustain your notes better, breathe from your diaphragm (muscle below your rib cage) and have confidence! Good luck!

I was born into a family that sings so it wasn't hard for me to be in tune. But for those who aren't naturally "in tune," I suggest you have someone who has a good ear for notes to listen to you or if there's no one who could do that regularly, you might opt to get a recorder and record your sessions. What's important is that you get feedback.

If you're learning the tune from sheet music, play it on your instrument then try singing it. Strike the first note again then check your voice against it. If it sounds a little off, decide if you're lower or higher than the intended note then try flexing your vocal chords, climbing upward if you're note is too low, or try lowering your voice if you're too high, and so on. When you get the pitch, unless you're awfully tone deaf, you should get your notes right – with practice.

If you're listetning to a prerecorded song, the principle's the same with the one above, but this time just let the song play and sing a long while shifting pitches 'til you hit the right one.

Good luck! Keep in mind, the human voice is the most versatile instrument ever created!

Singing out of tune, or off key, all mean the same thing – it means that the singer is not hitting the exact notes that they should.

This can be subtle, meaning they're just off a little, or, it can mean that they are miles off the correct notes, like many an American Idol contestant. 🙂

Most people can improve their ability to sing on key with practice. It's important not to be too worried about it, at first, as you build confidence to belt out a song….think karaoke…it should be fun. If you notice after a while that everyone has a funny expression, and that moths die in mid-flight and fall to the ground when you sing, you may want to pay attention to your pitch, and seek some lessons or advice… Good luck!