So you’ve signed up to work with a professional teacher for your vocal training — congratulations on taking that big step! If you’ve opted for lessons in your home, how should you prepare your space beforehand? Here are some tips from Hayward, CA teacher Molly R...
Are you ready to take your vocal talents to the next level? Voice lessons are a great way to develop your singing skills, but sometimes it can be intimidating to have a teacher come into your home.
Don’t worry – preparing for voice lessons in your home doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, with a few simple steps, you can make sure that everything is just right and get ready to sing!
Can I Train My Voice at Home?
If you’re looking to start training your voice from home, the good news is that there are many options ranging from instructional videos to vocal coaches available online, but it’s important to keep in mind some basic tips when beginning your at-home vocal training:
- Be sure to set aside a specified practice time each day.
- It’s also a good idea to warm up before practicing with exercises such as humming, scales and lip bubbles as well as incorporating breathing exercises into training sessions.
- Recording yourself while practicing can be very beneficial in order to analyze any problem areas and therefore track progress.
By understanding the basics of proper technique and following these simple tips, you will be well on your way towards mastering your technique and reaching higher levels of vocal proficiency.
The best way to improve your voice? Consider investing in in home voice lessons. By getting voice lessons in your home from a talented instructor, you can pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses for more effective practice routines.
Learn more about home voice lessons and how to practice voice lessons at home by watching the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huqdwhVX9TI
How to Prepare For Voice Lessons at Home – Tips Anyone Can Follow
Your teacher may have the ideal set up in his or her studio when you attend your voice lessons, but if the lessons are in your home instead, what sort of things do you need to do to help with your progress? Here are four steps to help you prepare for voice lessons in your home:
1. Dedicate a space
This is important: you want a section of the house where you have enough room to move comfortably, and enough room for a music stand, keyboard, and other materials. You definitely want to be singing in a place where you won’t be disturbed… or disturb anyone else, for that matter!
2. Check with others
Singing can get LOUD. If you live in an apartment, you may want to let your neighbors know that you’re a singer, and ask if they may have any set times they’d prefer there be no loud noise (a child’s nap time, for example). If you’re in a house with other family members to consider, simply ask that you work out a family schedule so that you can use your space at a set time.
3. Set up
The exciting thing about vocal training these days is that we use a lot more technology. You may need YouTube for some of your karaoke tracks, so make sure your Internet connection is secure and that your screen is angled so you can comfortably see it without straining. There are also many good mp3s to use as supplemental materials, so make sure you have a good pair of speakers!
4. Buy (and organize) your music
Teachers may have extensive libraries of vocal repertoire, but you need your own for singing contests, performances, etc. These days it’s extra convenient to go to sites such as Musicnotes.com to get an instant digital download! You should always be on YouTube looking for new repertoire, too — especially if it’s your first lesson and you want to give your teacher an idea of what kind of music you like. Although your teacher will offer you guidance in song selection, ultimately it is up to you to come in with clear ideas of what you’d like to sing.
Also, divide your sheet music, lyric sheets, and sound files into the right folders and playlists so you can avoid shuffling around looking for things during your lessons and practice sessions. Categories may include “choir music,” “school music,” “audition songs,” and so on.
What Are the Best At Home Voice Lessons?
Are you a closeted singer, too shy to perform in public? Or maybe you’re an aspiring singer looking to hone your skills? If either is the case, you’ve come to the right place. At home voice lessons are a great way to gain confidence and perfect your vocal techniques without ever leaving your house.
But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to narrow down which at home voice lessons are best for your needs. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders!
Voice Lesson Apps
Thanks to modern technology, it has never been easier to get quality vocal instruction from the comfort of your own home. There are now several popular phone apps that offer live video chat with instructors, who can provide personalized feedback on anything from pitch and range control to breathing exercises and more.
Some great apps for voice lessons include TakeLessons, VocalizeU and Singer’s Edge. These apps come with a variety of features tailored specifically for singers, such as interactive tutorials and practice recordings that allow you to hear how each exercise should sound before attempting them yourself.
Online DVD Tutorials
Another great option for at-home singing instruction is online DVD tutorials. These tutorial videos often contain step-by-step instructions on everything from proper posture to vocal warmups—all without having to leave your house or break the bank.
The best tutorials will also include audio clips so that you can hear exactly how good technique should sound before trying it yourself.
Popular DVDs include “The Singers Guide” by Voice Instructor Joe Pecoraro, “How To Sing On Pitch” by Billy Anderson, and “The Professional Vocal Technique Course” by Trisha Lee Music Studios.
Private Lessons
If you have the budget and would prefer one-on-one instruction rather than digital tutorials or video chat apps, private lessons with local instructors could be the answer! This type of lesson allows students direct access to their instructor via face-to-face interaction—a luxury not available in online courses or app lessons.
Prices vary depending on location but expect rates around $25-$60 per hour for private sessions in most cities across the United States (and sometimes even less!).
Do Vocal Lessons Actually Work?
Vocal lessons at home can be an effective way to improve one’s singing ability and confidence without the stress of going into a traditional vocal lesson environment. With the presence of modern technology, today’s musicians have access to a wide array of online learning materials that are designed by professionals in the music industry.
Although productivity relies heavily on how dedicated and motivated the student is, taking vocal lessons at home eliminates the additional pressure of having someone sitting in front of them and critiquing their performance.
Home-based lessons can certainly provide the same benefits as any formal vocal lesson setting – such as learning proper techniques, developing a better understanding of your own voice, increasing range, and building up vocal stamina – while allowing students to take charge of their lessons however they prefer.
You and your voice teacher work together as a team to help strengthen your voice, so make sure you do your part by working hard outside of your lessons, too! By implementing these four important things into your routine, you and your teacher will be super pleased with the strides you’ll make in your vocal training!
Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly here!
Photo by JSmith Photo
Suzy S.