For some people, it’s a big step to sign up for voice lessons. We know the thought can seem a little scary – particularly if you’re not used to singing in front of others, let alone a trained, professional vocalist! But don’t worry: your teacher isn’t there to judge or intimidate you.
Perhaps you’re wondering what you can really expect at your first voice lesson. How should you prepare? Here’s a look into a typical lesson experience from Kathryn M., one of our newest teachers in Fairborn, OH:
Many people want to learn how to sing but don’t know where to start. The thought of taking singing lessons can be daunting, especially if you’ve never taken any type of music lesson before.
In this blog post, we’ll give you an overview of what you can expect in your first singing lesson. We’ll cover the basics of warm-ups, technique, and repertoire so that you can start your journey to becoming a singer with confidence!
What Should a First Singing Lesson Cover?
A first singing lesson should cover the basic techniques of vocal production:
- The teacher should assess the student’s range, identify any problems with pitch or resonance, and teach the student how to use proper breath support.
- The student should also be given exercises to help improve their tone and diction.
- In addition, the teacher should introduce the student to basic concepts of music theory, such as key signatures and time signatures.
By the end of the lesson, the student should have a good understanding of how to produce a clear, tonally-correct sound. With proper practice, they will be well on their way to becoming a skilled singer.
Ready to get started on YOUR journey toward becoming a better singer? Sign up for singing lessons today! Here are just a few of the benefits of doing so:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM9TQRoZJdw
First Voice Lesson: What to Expect
Have you been thinking about taking voice lessons, but you just aren’t sure? A lot of people like to sing in a choir, with the radio, or even in the shower. But is taking voice lessons right for you? Here is some information about what to expect at the first day of voice lessons, frequently asked questions about taking voice lessons, and how you can benefit from taking them.
Deciding on Goals
The first thing you need to ask yourself is: what are my goals? Establishing your goals with singing is what will help you and your voice teacher set a path for your lessons. If your goals include sight reading better for your community choir, great. If they include one day singing on the Broadway stage, great. Knowing your goals with singing will help you to stay motivated and moving forward.
Ask for Help
So, now that you’ve decided to take voice lessons, what’s next? At your first lesson, there is often uncertainty as to what to expect from the experience. It’s important to know that although your voice teacher is there to help you improve, he or she will never make you feel like you aren’t good enough to sing. Your voice teacher will work with you where you are at and help you get to the next level. Just sing out and don’t be afraid to show what you’ve got.
What Will You Learn in Your First Voice Lesson
What will you learn? Singing lessons are about more than just the product. Singing lessons engage the entire body and you will be instructed on correct posture, breathing and vowel shaping. This may seem tedious at times, but keeping your instrument aligned and working properly is as important as the sound that is produced.
What will you sing? This has a lot to do with your goals. Your voice teacher will have repertoire suggestions and books he or she may ask you to purchase. This is to help provide you with quality music to learn from and grow with. Vocal repertoire books range from folk songs, opera, oratorios, Broadway, and everything in between. You might have goals to sing in another language and that vastly expands your possibilities.
Warm Ups
One of the first things you’ll do in your singing lesson is warm up your voice. This is important because it help prepare your vocal muscles for singing and prevent injuries. There are many different ways to warm up your voice, but some common exercises include lip rolls, tongue twisters, and scale work.
Technique
After you’ve warmed up your voice, you’ll start working on technique. This is the part of the lesson where you’ll learn about how to produce sound correctly and how to use your breath support correctly. You’ll also learn about posture and alignment, which are important for producing sound correctly and preventing injuries.
Repertoire
Once you’ve covered the basics of technique, you’ll start working on repertoire. This is the fun part where you get to sing all of your favorite songs! In your first lesson, your teacher will help you choose a song that is suitable for your skill level and that will help you work on the techniques that you’ve learned.
What Are Good Songs for a First Voice Lesson?
A voice lesson is a great way to improve your vocal skills and technique.
Your singing instructor will likely have some easy songs for first voice lesson already picked out, but if you want to come prepared, here are some of the best songs you can practice ahead of time.
- “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Harold Arlen
- “My Heart Will Go On” by James Horner
- “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
- “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
- “Unchained Melody” by Alex North
These are just a few examples of great songs that are perfect for a first voice lesson! If you are looking to improve your vocal skills, try singing one of these songs in your next voice lesson. Who knows, you may find that you have a hidden talent for singing! Thanks for reading!
How Do I Prepare For My First Voice Lesson?
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re about to take your first voice lesson. Congratulations!
Learning how to sing is a fantastic way to improve your vocal health, explore your creativity, and build confidence. But if you’re anything like me, you’re wondering how to prepare for first voice lesson.
Do Your Research
Classical, musical theater, pop, rock, jazz—the list goes on and on. There are so many different genres of singing, and it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you. If you’re not sure where to start, try listening to a variety of songs and seeing which ones resonate with you the most.
Once you’ve found a style or two that interest you, do some research on YouTube or Google to learn more about them. This will not only help you get an idea of what kinds of music you might enjoy singing, but it will also give you something to talk about with your voice teacher.
Make a List of Goals
What do you hope to accomplish by taking voice lessons? Do you want to learn how to sing higher notes? Improve your stage presence? Develop better breath control? Knowing what your goals are will help you and your teacher develop a plan for achieving them. Not sure what kind of goals would be appropriate for voice lessons? Here are a few ideas:
- Learn proper vocal technique (breathing from the diaphragm, supporting the tone from the abdomen, etc.)
- Expand your vocal range
- Improve tone quality
- Increase confidence when singing in front of others
- Reduce stage fright or nerves before performances
- Learn how to sing in harmony with others
- Interpret lyrics expressively
- Develop good practice habits
- Learn new repertoire in a desired style
The possibilities are endless! Just make sure that your goals are specific, achievable, and realistic—you don’t want to set yourself up for disappointment.
Choose the Right Time
Voice lessons can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour long, and they typically take place once a week. When choosing a time slot for your lessons, it’s important to consider other commitments in your life (work obligations, family responsibilities, etc.).
You’ll also want to make sure that there’s enough time in between lessons for practicing—rushing from one obligation to the next without any break will only lead to burnout. If possible, try to find a time slot that will allow you at least 15-30 minutes of uninterrupted practice time before or after your lesson.
Prepare Some Questions Beforehand
Your first lesson is also an opportunity for you to get to know your teacher as a person and figure out whether they’re the right fit for you.
At the beginning of each lesson, most teachers will ask their students how they’ve been since the last meeting and what they’ve been working on—but remember that this is their time too! If there’s something specific that you’d like to talk about or work on during the lesson (like memorizing lines from a song), feel free to mention it ahead of time so that they can be prepared with materials or suggestions.
Other than that general conversation starter though, try not to monopolize the conversation—your teacher probably has other students after you who might benefit from hearing about what worked (or didn’t work) for other people in similar situations.”
What Do You Do At Your First Voice Lesson?
Your first voice lesson is an opportunity to learn proper vocal technique, gain confidence in your singing, and develop healthy vocal habits. During the lesson, you can expect to consult with your instructor about your musical goals, warm up your voice with some exercises, and sing a song of your choice. With regular lessons and some practice at home, you’ll be amazed at the progress you can make!
Sign up for lessons today – and become a better singer tomorrow.
Kathryn M. teaches singing and trumpet lessons in Fairborn, OH. She holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Music Education from the University of Dayton, and has been a TakeLessons instructor since May 2012. Sign up for lessons with Kathryn, or visit TakeLessons to search for teachers near you!
Suzy S.