If you’re looking to hire a vocal coach for your child, it’s likely that you’ll ask them some questions before hiring. These questions vary from the serious and reasonable to the funny and unrealistic. Music teachers have heard them all. Here are a few of the top frequently asked questions vocal teachers hear and the most common answers to them.
“Do I Need Lessons? — I Sing all the Time!”
A lot of people sing along with the radio, in the shower, and around the house, and they sound pretty good. These people may wonder if singing lessons will really be helpful to them. Singing along with the radio is great, but singing lessons will teach you so much more.
First, what you hear when you sing isn’t the same as what others hear. You may not actually be as on-key as you think. Working with a teacher, you’ll learn techniques such as breath control, how to read music, and more. Even if you’re a good singer, you can always be better, and that’s what working with an instructor will do for you.
“Will Lessons Make Me Sound Less Like Myself?”
During piano and private guitar lessons, the goal is often to sound perfect. You want your music to sound like everyone else’s—free of mistakes. In comparison, when you sing, you want your voice to sound unique. People should be able to hear you and immediately recognize your voice.
Some people are afraid that vocal lessons will make them lose their distinctive sound. However, singers such as Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and Barbara Streisand all have vocal coaches and took lessons. A good vocal teacher will help you sound more like yourself by teaching you how to transition between registers and other skills.
“How Do Vocal Teachers Differ from Other Instrument Teachers?”
There’s a major difference between learning how to play an instrument and being the instrument, which is what singers truly are. Your voice is your instrument. In some ways, then, learning to play an instrument and learning to sing are similar.
You will learn how to read music, how to adjust your singing for different songs, and how to take care of your voice. Vocal teachers have spent years learning how to help people fine-tune their singing. This includes learning techniques related to speech and diction, plus methods of improving your breathing and your stamina.
“How Many Lessons Do I Need?”
It can be hard for a vocal teacher to tell you how many lessons you’ll need when they first meet you. It can even be difficult to estimate based off of hearing you sing a few times since they may not know how quickly it will take you to learn certain techniques.
Everyone progresses at different speeds. If you’re dedicated to learning how to sing, practice regularly, and apply yourself, you may find that you reach a level of skill you’re satisfied with faster than some others. You may even find that private lessons, whether they’re voice or guitar are a lot of fun to continue taking even if you are happy with your progress.
“Should I Look for Someone That Is Strictly A Voice Coach?”
If you want to learn another instrument, you might be tempted to take lessons from someone who could teach you how to play and how to sing at the same time. However, this would be similar to having someone give you art lessons while also helping you write a novel. Both are creative endeavors, but they’re not the same thing.
While it’s true that singing and playing an instrument are related, there are different skills you must master for each. Some teachers may be able to teach both, but some specialize in one over the other. Having a dedicated vocal teacher and instrument teacher will help you fully learn both.
Want to know more about vocal lessons for your child? Contact us today to learn about local coaches near you who will come to your home.
