4 Simple Steps to Finding the Right Voice Teacher
It's never fun, but read on to find the right voice teacher...
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By: Elizabeth Josefsberg
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What’s the difference between a good vocalist and a great vocalist? The simple answer…right voice teacher. Learn the steps you must take to find the perfect match.
There are any number of reasons you might feel that you need a voice teacher. If you plan to work as a professional performer in any realm, you will certainly need to explore your vocal talents at some point during your career. The problem comes in narrowing your search to find the right teacher for you. There are literally thousands of them to choose from in any major city. Finding a good teacher will take some work. One of the first things you will need to consider is what type of music you are interested in singing. Will it be pop, rock, classical or any other number of styles? Once you have determined the type of teacher you need, you can start your search. Any professional will tell you that the best way to begin your search is to talk to friends who study voice. Word of mouth is nearly the only way any voice teacher has of advertising. Here are a couple of other ideas on where to start your search:
• Call local Universities and Colleges. Ask for referrals from Department Heads. Many of the teachers will take private students on weekends or evenings. Some well known teachers actually have students (apprentices) who will train other students in their style.
• Visit local music stores. Check well known stores in the area for bulletin boards where teachers may advertise. Talk to employees of the store, as they are often musicians and are very knowledgeable about teachers in the area.
• Try local churches and synagogues. Anywhere you find people interested in music you will find referrals for teachers.
• Search online and in local trade papers. Every city has at least one local trade paper for the performing arts community.
Once you narrow your search down, it will be important to call each prospective teacher and talk to them about their own experience and education. You will want to know that the person who will be training you actually has some education in the mechanics of the voice. Remember that it is possible to call yourself a “voice teacher” with little to no training in the area of vocal health and science. That is why “word of mouth” is an important factor in finding a teacher. Ask friends you know and trust about teachers. When speaking to teachers over the phone you will want to iron out some of the specifics before committing to anything. Be sure to ask some of the following
• How long is a lesson?
• How often do they recommend taking lessons?
• What is the price for a lesson?
• Where do they teach?
• Do they play the piano or have an accompanist?
• Will they allow you to record lessons?
After speaking with several teachers, a few will stand out to you. You will feel that their personality is a good fit with you over the phone; you will like their outlook on vocal training. Pick your top three teachers and set up trial lessons with them. Record each session and listen back to each of them several times before reaching a decision. It is important to be able to listen back to the lesson while you are not in the middle of it. You will hear the improvements the teacher is making and you will be reminded of how you felt during the lesson.
Trust your instincts completely when making the final decision on a teacher. Learning to sing is a delicate and fragile balance of trust and intimacy. Take your time and make sure that you feel at home with your new teacher. If you don’t, keep searching until you find the perfect fit.
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