Excited about your first voice lesson? Beyond thinking about your goals for the lessons, you’ll also want to have an idea of what you need to bring. Get prepared with these tips for singing lessons from Austin, TX teacher Gfire M...
Veronica is about to begin her first day of voice lessons and is unsure of what to bring. She has heard that a pencil and paper are necessary, but isn’t sure what else she might need.
She turns to the internet for help and finds an article with a comprehensive list of items to bring to voice lessons. After reading the list, Veronica feels relieved that she has everything she needs and excited to start her lessons!
And who is Veronica?
Veronica is you!
Are you ready to start preparing for your first voice lesson? If so, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know in this post.
How Do I Prepare For My First Voice Lesson?
Ifyou’ve never taken voice lessons before, the prospect of starting may feel a bit daunting. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your first lesson:
- Take some time to evaluate your goals. Why do you want to take voice lessons? Are you hoping to improve your singing for personal enjoyment, or do you have professional aspirations? Knowing your goal will help you choose the right teacher.
- Do your research. Not all voice teachers are created equal. Read reviews, ask around for recommendations, and interview several teachers before making a decision.
- Be prepared to work hard. Voice lessons require both commitment and effort. Be patient and don’t expect overnight results – the most important thing is to enjoy the process and see gradual improvement over time.
Following these simple tips will help ensure that you get the most out of your first vocal lesson.
If you’re thinking about taking voice lessons, congratulations! Studying with a qualified voice teacher can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Here’s a video that will help you get an idea of what to expect from your first voice lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM9TQRoZJdw
First Voice Lesson: Everything You Need to Know!
I have been teaching my vocal technique, “Yoga for the Voice,” for over 18 years now, to students from ages 4-76 at all levels from beginning to advanced. And the one thing that almost all of my students bring to their first lesson is a mixture of fear and excitement! They are afraid that I will tell them that they can’t sing, yet they are excited about the process of learning to sing. So I thought I would address these issues and give you some encouraging answers!
What should I bring with me?
Bring a binder, blank paper, and a pen or pencil that you can use for lesson notes and handouts. Bring a bottle of room-temperature water so that you can stay well hydrated during the lesson for optimal vocal exercising. Bring an open mind — singing and breathing exercises may seem a little weird at first! Write down any questions that you have for your teacher. If you have music you are already working on, bring that sheet music or CD with you. You can also email sheet music or music audio files to your teacher prior to the lesson.
Will I really be able to sing?
No worries — the answer is always “Yes!” If you can speak, you can learn how to sing, because you are using the same exact instrument for speaking and singing. Obviously, singing uses more notes and technique, but you really can leave your worries behind and just focus on utilizing your unique vocal instrument.
Does it matter what style(s) I want to learn?
Absolutely not! Good singing technique is useful for singing pop, rock, R’n’B, musical theater, opera, country, folk, metal, gospel, singer/songwriter, etc. Again, you are just using your natural voice to express any musical style that appeals to you. I have taught musical theater singers how to wow at auditions, touring rock singers how to maintain their voices during grueling tours, “screamo” singers how to scream in tune, kid singers how to master an age-appropriate song, reality show applicants how to choose and deliver the best material to get onto American Idol or The Voice, church singers how to sing a solo confidently, and every other variety of singer under the rainbow.
Do I have to practice outside of vocal classes?
Well — yes, if you want to be a great singer! The voice is an instrument, just like piano, guitar, or clarinet. To truly master the voice is a matter of practicing placing the notes without pushing them — and that takes at least three short practices per week outside of voice lessons, even if it is only for 10-15 minutes.
Okay, I am ready — how do I start?
If you really want to learn to sing well, make the commitment! This is one of the best tips for singing. Purchase one to three months of voice lessons and start thinking about where in your schedule you can place your minimum of three practices a week outside of your lessons. I like to get my students to make a list of 10 songs that they would LOVE to learn to sing — that way you have goals that are fun and achievable.
It is also really helpful if you have a piano or keyboard available for you to play your singing exercises on. I am happy to play your exercises for you, but if you learn to play the exercises and sing them, you really end up singing with more confidence and better technique.
What do you do at your first voice lesson?
At your first voice lesson, the teacher will assess your vocal range and get a sense of your current skill level. They will also ask you about your musical background and what style of singing you are interested in pursuing. Based on this information, they will develop a first voice lesson plan tailored to your individual needs.
The actual lesson will likely involve a combination of vocal exercises and work on song repertoire.
By the end of the lesson, you should have a better understanding of what it takes to improve your singing voice and a list of goals to work towards in future lessons.
What should you cover in the first voice lesson?
When you’re taking your first voice lesson, there are a few key things you’ll want to cover.
First, you’ll want to make sure you have a good understanding of proper vocal technique. This means learning how to use your breath support, how to position your tongue and jaw, and how to produce a clear, resonant sound. You’ll also want to spend some time working on vocal exercises to help build up your range and power.
In addition, you’ll need to choose some songs to work on. These should be songs that suit your voice type and range, and that you’re comfortable singing.
With a little focus and effort, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great singer!
More First Voice Lesson Advice
As a beginner, it is important that you find a good teacher who can help you develop a solid foundation in technique.
It is also important to be patient and consistent with your practice. You should aim to practice for at least 30 minutes each day. In addition, it is helpful to sing along with recordings of professional singers. This will help you to develop an ear for pitch and improve your vocal control.
Finally, remember to warm up before singing and cool down afterwards. This will help to prevent strain on your vocal cords. By following these simple tips, you will be well on your way to becoming a confident and proficient singer.
What Age Should a Child Start Voice Lessons?
As any parent knows, children have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. They also have a tendency to be quite loud! While this can be frustrating at times, it also means that children have the potential to be great singers.
So when is the best time to start voice lessons?
The answer may vary depending on the child. Some experts recommend starting around age four or five, when children are just beginning to form sentences and show an interest in music.
Others suggest waiting until age six or seven, when children have developed a stronger sense of pitch and rhythm. Ultimately, the decision of when to start voice lessons should be left up to the parents and the child’s vocal coach. If the child shows a natural aptitude for singing and is eager to learn, then early lessons may be beneficial.
But if the child seems more interested in other activities, it may be best to wait until he or she is older. Either way, voice lessons can help your child develop confidence and self-expression – two qualities that are valuable at any age.
First Voice Lesson: What to Expect
We hope this blog post has helped to prepare you for your first voice lesson. Remember, our instructors are here to help guide and support you as you learn. Be sure to consider the information in this post when preparing for your next session. And most importantly, have fun!
Finding the right singing instructor can make a world of difference when it comes to how much you enjoy (and how much you get from) your singing lessons. Take the time to find the right one!
With these tips for singing lessons, you can get ready to start singing the songs you want to sing, expressing your own talents and creativity. You deserve to sing and yes, you can make it happen!
Gfire teaches music theory, opera voice, piano, singing, and songwriting in Austin, TX. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from University of Maryland, as well as her Master of the Science of Singing from Ernest George White Society. Learn more about Gfire here!
Photo by premasagar
Suzy S.