If you've wanted to learn to sing for a while, you may have considered taking singing lessons. For a beginner, lessons are a great way to make good progress and avoid developing bad habits. Read more to learn how singing lessons work and how to choose the right instructor.
Singing lessons can help beginner vocalists start on the right foot. A lot of people will sing along to the radio without any formal training, and that's fine. However, if you want to take singing more seriously, lessons are essential.
These lessons are tailored to meet the needs of newer singers. Depending on the teacher, lessons might be private, semi-private, or small group lessons. Lessons can also occur online or in person.
Many voice teachers have students at all levels, but some may focus on beginners. Also, teachers might offer lessons to students of all ages, while others might focus on kids or adults.
The concepts you'll learn in lessons depend on your teacher and your own goals. However, most lessons will cover the fundamentals required to sing, such as posture and breathing. You may also learn how to improve your vocal tone, and you can work on specific songs.
It's also common for a voice teacher to help you figure out your voice type. They can use a piano to help you find your range. Then, they'll consider the tonal qualities of your voice to classify your singing voice.
Some teachers may cover basic music theory and piano playing. Knowing how to navigate the keyboard can help you practice singing. That way, you can learn to match pitch, which is a vital skill for singers.
When you're ready to take singing lessons, you have a few choices to make. First, you should consider where you can take lessons. Some lesson formats work better for some people than others based on how they learn or their schedules.
Here are some of the most common places where you can take singing lessons.
Many individual singing teachers work out of their homes. They may have a dedicated room with a piano and a music stand. You can drive to your teacher's home studio for your weekly lessons.
The nice thing about this is that it's pretty private. Your teacher may live alone, or you could schedule lessons during the day when the teacher's family will be out. That way, you and your teacher can focus on your singing.
These lessons may also be cheaper for a few reasons. First, the teacher doesn't have to drive around, so they won't charge extra for travel. The teacher also doesn't have to go through a third party, so all of your money goes to the teacher and not a school.
If you can't or don't want to drive across town, you can look for a teacher who will come to you. You'll want a quiet space without any distractions for your lessons. It also doesn't hurt to buy a piano or electric keyboard.
That way, your teacher can play notes to help you match pitch. And when you reach the point of singing songs, your teacher can accompany you.
Now, due to the convenience, these lessons may cost more than at a teacher's home. However, you can save time sitting in traffic. It can be worth paying a little more to learn in your own environment.
When I took singing lessons in high school, I went through a local music academy. This is a studio or school that hires a bunch of private music teachers on different instruments. Each teacher will have a room they use to conduct their lessons.
Taking lessons at a music academy can be a good option if you can't find an individual music teacher. It's also a nice choice because you can request trial lessons from all of the voice teachers to find someone who works best for you.
Finally, music academies are great for students who want to learn multiple instruments. You can schedule your voice lessons back to back with lessons on piano, violin, or any other instrument without worrying about travel time.
Depending on where you live, the local community college may be a great option for finding voice lessons. Some schools may allow you to take lessons even if you're not officially a student.
You can enroll for no credit, and you can schedule a weekly lesson time during the school year. This can be a great option if you have a flexible work schedule and are free during the day when other teachers may not be available.
And if your community college has a choir, you might be able to join if you take lessons with the director. Then, you can learn how to sing both alone and in a group setting.
If you can't find a suitable voice teacher in your area, check online. You can find a teacher in a different city or even a different country. Singing lessons will usually happen over video chat using a program such as Zoom or FaceTime.
Technically, you can study with any teacher anywhere in the world. However, you'll need to think about time zones and whether the scheduling will work.
For example, if you're in Europe and want to take lessons in the evening, you could hire a teacher from the US. Or if you're in the US and want morning lessons, you could hire a teacher who lives in Europe.
Some singing teachers also offer online courses. These include pre-recorded videos that you can watch on your own time. Courses are a great option if you can't commit to regular ongoing lessons.
After you decide on the format you'd prefer, it's time to research voice teachers. We all have unique goals and needs. Here are some factors to keep in mind when selecting a private singing teacher.
First, you should look into the teacher's credentials. Ideally, a vocal teacher will have at least a bachelor's degree in vocal performance or music education. Some teachers may have a master's degree in either subject, which is even better.
However, it's also important to consider their teaching experience. Someone may have a doctorate in vocal performance and may be a great singer. Unfortunately, not all great singers are automatically great teachers.
Look for someone with at least a few years of experience teaching. And don't be afraid to look for teachers outside of your voice type. A teacher doesn't have to share your vocal range to be a good instructor.
Another vital factor to note is what genres the teacher specializes in. Some singing teachers focus on opera, while others might focus on musical theatre. A third group may focus on teaching pop or rock singing.
You can learn the basics of singing from any teacher. However, the last thing you want is to have to switch teachers after a few months because they can't help you advance further.
If you know what type of music you want to sing, look for teachers who can help. That way, you can learn specific techniques associated with the genre, whether that's belting, falsetto, or something else.
If possible, take a trial lesson with at least a few different singing teachers. Some teachers offer free trial lessons, while others may charge their standard lesson rate. Either way, you don't have to commit to ongoing lessons right away.
The trial lesson will give you a chance to see if the teacher is a good fit for you. Consider if they teach in a way that helps you learn. It's also important to be comfortable in lessons with a teacher, so pay attention to how you feel.
After a few trial lessons, compare your experiences with the teachers. Once you determine who's the best teacher for you, enroll in ongoing private lessons with them.
Before you choose a teacher though, you also have to consider the finances. Singing lessons can get expensive, especially if you take them every week or from a teacher with a lot of experience.
To get the most out of singing lessons, you should ideally study once per week. Another option is to take a lesson every other week. Make sure you choose a teacher who you can afford to study with that frequently.
If you're on a tight budget, you may need to go with a newer teacher. That way, you can still learn how to sing, but you can keep from breaking the bank in the process.
The best way to teach yourself to sing is to use online resources, such as videos and articles. A few free videos can help you learn the basics, such as posture, breathing, and making a nice tone.
You'll need to set a practice schedule so that you make regular progress. Without a private teacher to hold you accountable, it can be all too easy to put off your practicing and never get better.
Most people should be able to teach themselves how to sing. However, if you don't have much self-discipline, you'll struggle to improve your skill level.
If you can't get yourself to practice, it's okay to find a voice teacher to help. They can assign materials that are suitable for you. And your lessons can serve as accountability to get you to practice.
Doing vocal exercises is a great way to train the voice to sing. You can start with simple exercises, such as lip rolls, which is where you blow air through your lips and make them vibrate against each other.
Another great exercise is to sing scales. Play the notes of a scale on the piano to help you sing the right notes.
Singing lessons are a great way to start singing as a beginner. You can take lessons online or in person and privately or in a small group. Be sure to choose the right singing teacher for you to help reach your goals.