You are passionate about singing! No matter what level you are or whether you like to sing on stage, at school, at church, professionally, or even in the shower, taking voice lessons offers a myriad of benefits. Experienced voice teachers can help you develop your technique, improve your tone, expand your range, adjust your timbre, explore new repertoire, and, perhaps most importantly, prevent injury.
For beginners, voice lessons will instill good habits, introduce singers to music that will feel comfortable in their range, and promote confidence. Students also learn how to project their voice in a safe and healthy manner and can receive training in stage presence and performance.
For advanced and accomplished singers, voice lessons help you maintain healthy and sustainable vocal technique, navigate and interpret difficult repertoire, develop tone, and find new ways to connect with your audience, allowing you to take your singing to the next level.
There are many things to consider before choosing a voice teacher. A good voice teacher should have experience in a range of topics, including the following:
- Breathing: when to breathe and how to breathe are crucial for singers of all genres
- Physical posture: how you stand and the way you hold your body
- Vocal anatomy: understanding the lungs, diaphragm, abdominal support, resonators (mouth, throat, nasal passages), and articulators (tongue, lips, teeth)
- Vocal technique: how to physically move your voice and manipulate your sound, along with how to warm up your voice, and how and when to rest your voice
- Vocal style and genre: training in the type of music you want to sing
- Repertoire: the pieces of music that best suit or show the potential of your voice
Having a meet-and-greet is important so that you can make sure you connect with your voice teacher. Getting to know you will help your voice teacher choose repertoire to which you can relate and will also ensure that you are working towards your potential. A good voice teacher knows that every voice is unique, and they will be able to enhance your strengths, while at the same time identifying areas that could use improvement. Plus, it’s important to have good chemistry with a voice teacher, because voice lessons should be fun!
And remember, your vocal chords are your instrument! Keeping them healthy and maintaining good practices are imperative for ensuring longevity and success at any level. That’s why it is important to find a voice teacher that is a great fit for you.