Why take singing lessons?

I’ve been having a think recently about what motivates people into having a singing lesson. And it got me wondering what people think if they just happen across an advert for a ‘singing teacher’ or ‘vocal coach’. Do they scroll past, thinking, ‘oh but I can already sing,’ or ‘whoa, that would be well out of my comfort zone’ or ‘only serious singers take lessons.’

What does it spark in you?

I first had a one to one singing lesson in my teens – I had sung in church and in choirs, and my conductor mentioned to me that the accompanist gave singing lessons, and that I should think about taking them. Thinking back, this could have been taken 1 of 2 ways – did I have some talent to be nurtured? Or did he think I needed to improve?

Obviously, I started to take them – otherwise this story ends differently! What it afforded was a chance to develop my voice and explore what it could do, outside the comfort of the choir and church. I was always singing in some form or another, but this opened up a different avenue for me.

You can decide to take singing lessons for all sorts of reasons. People generally proactively reach for the search button if they would like to: learn to sing; want to build their confidence; feel they could improve their pitching; explore something that has changed in their voice and it does not feel the same anymore; ‘fix’ something (actual or perceived); train for something particular (like a show or a gig).

That list is, of course, not exhaustive.

But I want you to know it is ok to take singing lessons just because you want to. Because it is something for you. Especially #inthetimeofcovid

I covered in my first blog why we should all sing. Singing is a natural instinct.

And yet we sometimes stop - all too often I hear that people think that they can’t sing and have developed a fear of singing. It used to be a part of every school day. Remember that? Singing with gusto just because it felt nice? But as we get older, we become self-conscious, and in many cases we lock away the singing, and leave it for the shower or in the car when we are on our own. And harking back to school days, all too often I hear stories of how people were told not to sing at school, or asked to leave the choir (honestly I can’t get over this!). And some people have not sung at all since!

So, I know the prospect of one to one singing lessons can be daunting. There is nowhere to hide, and ‘mistakes’ can’t be shied away from (I put that in inverted commas because we all know mistakes are just perceptions and with a growth mindset we can achieve anything). But that is precisely why we should take the leap and do it. Otherwise we may never move out of our comfort zone.

We all need to refine our instrument. To take time to communicate with the inner self and to indulge in a really enjoyable activity. And the interesting thing about singing, is that what we hear from ourselves is essentially a perception of what we sound like. A different acoustic to what others hear. When we take on board what other people are hearing, it is really enlightening. To sing well – i.e. with stamina, belief and good technique - does require practise. Many top-class professional singers take singing lessons for their whole career, and there a multitude of reasons for this.

There are techniques we can learn. Apply. Practise. Develop. To make us sing more efficiently, and to find our true voice. That moment when people see what their voice really sounds like and can do is such an amazing moment for a student and a vocal coach.

So.

Perhaps you think you could do with some advice on breathing (there’s a whole bunch of myths to be busted here!).

Maybe you have been singing in a choir for a while and would like to build up the confidence to go for a solo, or have been part of a mass choir for so long that you have forgotten what your true voice sounds like.

Is there an opportunity to sing a special song dedicated to someone? Or you just want to nail a particular song for yourself?

Many people want to work on their range – to be able to sing higher or lower than they currently feel they are able.

Perhaps you worry about the crack / break / flip / passagio section of your voice (we all have that to be navigated! Don’t think you’re alone!)

And if you are one those people who is scared to sing because you were told at school to stop, then isn’t it time to let go of that and see what you sound like?

A one to one singing lesson might be terrifying but, I guarantee you, you will feel so good about yourself afterwards.

So, the crux is, that there is not just one reason to take some singing lessons. But also no reason not to.

Rachel Riley

Vocal Coach

Unlock your voice; unlock your soul.