Stuck on the Intermediate Plateau? What it means for your singing journey
When you first start learning to sing, progress feels exciting. You learn how to breathe better, find your pitch, and maybe even tackle a song or two with new confidence. But at some point, many singers hit a frustrating phase: the intermediate plateau. It’s that period when you’ve already built a solid foundation, but suddenly, things seem to stall.
If you’ve been singing for a while and feel like you're no longer improving, you’re not alone. This is a completely normal part of the learning process, and it doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever. In fact, it means you’re ready for the next layer of growth.
This Is Where Almost Everyone Gives Up
It doesn’t matter what you are learning, singing or something else. After the initial phase, when everything is fun and exciting and you feel like you’re learning a lot, another phase comes along. This is the dreaded intermediate plateau, where you not only feel like you’re not progressing very fast, but you also realise how far you have to go.
Some people refer to this as the Dunning-Kruger effect (having low skill but a lot of confidence) turning into impostor syndrome (having skill, but lacking confidence).
The more we know, the more we understand how much we don’t know. And this is why becoming great at something takes determination. Most people just feel like giving up after learning for a while. This is the reason why so many start new hobbies but don’t keep them up. Don’t let your singing be like that! By understanding that this is a normal part of the learning process, we are one step ahead.
Why Progress Feels Slower at This Stage
At the beginning, even small changes make a huge difference. But once you’ve nailed those basics, improvements become more subtle. You might be working on smoothing out your transition before chest voice, mix and head, or trying to find a balanced belt, skills that take time and repetition to master.
It’s also easy to fall into a routine at this stage. Singing the same warm-ups or songs over and over can feel comforting but won’t necessarily stretch your skills. That’s when coaching, feedback, and fresh challenges become especially valuable.
How to Move Past the Plateau
To get unstuck, start by setting specific goals: Do you want to sing with more power? Smooth out your break? Gain a fuller tone? Then, work backwards to build vocal exercises and habits that support those goals. Getting targeted feedback (like the kind members receive inside the Singable Toolbox) can also speed up the process by helping you focus on what truly matters. Our members are often surprised by what our trained ears pick up, and how to solve their problems.
Most importantly, don’t give up. Hitting the intermediate plateau is a sign that you’re growing. With the right tools and support, your next breakthrough could be just around the corner.
Need a fresh path forward? Become a member to explore our vocal courses and get feedback from a coach by submitting a recording. Together, we’ll get you to the next level faster!
