SINGING LESSONS

What happens in a singing lesson?

Most people are rather nervous when they come for their first singing lesson. Very often they apologise because they don’t sound like a professional. They forget that if they sounded like a professional they wouldn’t need singing lessons and many teachers would be out of a job! You must not be afraid of making mistakes in your lesson. It is the one place where you can make mistakes and hopefully learn from them.

The lesson will start with help on posture and breathing, followed by a gentle warm up of the voice, expanding it in both directions. Various technical exercises will follow, all of which have a specific purpose. It is this section of the lesson that is really important as it gradually builds vocal technique, having a lasting impact on the voice.

During the last part of the lesson you can work on a song of your choice. It really doesn’t matter whether you sing jazz, pop, lieder, opera or musicals; the important thing is that you use good vocal technique.

Very often students ask, "How many lessons do I need?" It’s the old "How long is a piece of string?" question. The real answer is you never stop learning about singing. "How many lessons to reach a good standard?" - as many lessons as are appropriate to you. Everyone is different. Some students have developed bad habits and have to "unlearn" before they can start with good habits.

Singing is a very difficult thing to teach. You can’t see what is happening inside the throat. The student can hear and feel what is happening. You certainly can’t teach yourself. You really need the experienced ear of a professional to point you in the right direction, as there are many misleading pathways to go down when learning to sing.

Lessons are informal and hopefully fun and when the student feels confident, facilities are available to make a CD to record progress. Above all you should enjoy your lesson, be open to new ideas and not be afraid to experiment!

PIANO LESSONS

Beginners to intermediate are most welcome, particularly adult beginners.

I teach a range of different styles from classical to pop and chords. I am happy to teach theory as well. Lessons are relaxed and friendly.

If students wish, they can be entered for ABRSM exams.

Book your lesson >>