What do singing students want?
Posted on | August 18, 2008 | 2 Comments
I know that as a teacher, a student will walk in to my studio and when I ask them why they want from lessons I get a variety of responses. The moment I listen to their singing voice I normally know which direction our lessons will need to go in to improve their voice. Often the things I hear and know will need work are not the things the student expects. Pitching may be a breath control issue. Tension may be from an accident which was never treated and the student continued singing, causing long term problems.
However, we are on the web. I can’t hear you sing for me. But I am interested. If you are considering lessons, with any teacher, anywhere in the world, WHY are you going? What do you WANT from your teacher? Do you want to sound like a rock singer, not a classical singer? Do you want to sing like (insert name here!)? Do you want to gain some confidence? Do you want a professional career? Do you want to join a church music team? Or a choir? Do you want to learn how to belt? How to use twang without sounding terrible? Please leave a comment and tell me what it is that YOU want from lessons.
When I have lessons, I want tools and strategies which I then work into my voice. I want fresh ears to listen for issues I may not have noticed. I want a magic bullet to make my voice sound as free, strong, powerful and expressive as it is when I dream. Do I want the same things as you?
Also, what sort of teacher do you want? Do you want an encourager? Do you want a disciplinarian? Do you want a rigid educator or a friendly face?
It seems to me students expectations are so varied, and I would love to know WHAT do you want from lessons? What do you want to learn? How do you want to learn it? What sort of teacher would you like? Go ahead, leave a comment. I don’t care if you are in Brisbane or Baltimore, London or Lahore. I want to know!
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June 20th, 2009 @ 12:14 am
Hi Dale,
I’m a student of singing … To answer your question in brief I really want to learn to utilize my instrument correctly and continue to grow and discover it, during this process I hope to work at repertoire that will allow me to grow as a musician.
I really want to be a better MUSICIAN through my lessons and I find that a neglected area in singers is the fact that they are taught to sing, some teachers just process people who are able to sing but who can’t read a note and understand music and anyway. I am a classical singer and pianist and I have found that there are limits to what is taught in a vocal lesson. The main area of concentration is the technique and it is abhorrent that vocal coaching is even a job (why should the accompanist be responsible for interpretation advice?).
The type of teacher I want is not defined as dictatorial or a purist to encouraging, I am sure you’d agree that they are extremes. I believe teachers should empower and lead in some ways ‘enforcing’ (that sounds like such a bad word) students to learn content and skills and through that students make the decision to whether they like to pursue the path. In saying all of this I am not disregarding students having a goal or a direction, I just think students should be exposed to as much as the teacher can show,the music world is pretty big and there are many exciting things to look at.
July 4th, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Hi Tranquillo,
Thanks for your comment. Great response. I agree that many singers do not have much music theory. I disagree that this means that they are not musicians. For some people, music theory stifles their ability to make music. For some people the more they learn about music theory, the less free they feel to perform, as it results in much anxiety.
I have a wonderful student at the moment who is a beautiful singer and performer. I suggested she take some theory lessons to supplement her fabulous instincts. She did so, with a theory teacher, in addition to her lessons, and then quit singing for 6 months because she found it overwhelming. I personally do not teach much other than basic music theory for those who need it in lessons, although I have a comprehensive knowledge of theory and musicianship. It certainly helps me. But some people prefer to just be able to sing, and as they progress the desire to learn music theory may come, or it may not. I encourage my students to have some basic knowledge of how to read music, and certainly if they wish to become professionals, I think it is required. However, I remember having lunch and sitting next to a highly respected singer who has been employed all his life as a performer who proudly stated he couldn’t read music. I was completely shocked, but his performance certainly didn’t suffer, he was employed for tens of years in the theatre and gave magical performances. Perhaps music isn’t just about those dotes!