Learning How to Sing How Long Should My Voice Lessons Be

Learning How to Sing How Long Should My Voice Lessons Be Suzy S. Interested in learning how to sing? Private voice lessons are a great place to start. But with so many options out there for pricing, lesson length, and location, how do you know whats best for you? Read on as Hayward, CA and online teacher Molly R. shares her recommendation   So, youre signing up for voice lessons and see there are a few options, usually 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 60 minutes. Which length do you choose , either for yourself or for your child/teen? The first factor to consider is definitely age. My rule of thumb is that lessons for those under 12 should always be 30 minutes. The reason why I believe this works best is because children tend to have much shorter attention spans it’s not necessary to go into as much detail regarding vocal technique and repertoire! It would be much harder to fully engage the student in a longer lesson. Also, keep in mind that when youre first learning how to sing, you are not a fully formed instrument yet: students this young really don’t NEED additional time! For now, it’s a matter of teaching just the basics of both technique and musicianship (while still keeping things fun!) The next thing to consider are your (or the student’s) goals. Are there particular things you aspire to do, such as rock an open mic night, or start auditioning for local musicals? If so, you may want to consider an hour-long lesson. Typically, I spend the first half on vocal technique, and then the second half on polishing your songs with you so you get to feeling that youre “ready for prime time”! But, suppose you don’t care about performing. No, not everyone who signs up for voice lessons dreams of being in the spotlight! Believe it or not, I work with quite a few adults that are terrified at the very thought of it. They take voice lessons with me just because they find it fun and consider it a hobby! In that case, I recommend going with whatever feels right to you, either 30 minutes or an hour. There really isnt a right or wrong. There is plenty you can learn in either time frame. Lastly, consider how quickly you want to make progress. Even if you’re not out to perform, perhaps singing is something you really want to master, just for you. I work with some adult students who prefer hour-long lessons even though they are beginners who don’t want to perform any time soon, if ever. They like longer lessons because they have plenty of time to practice at home and really enjoy the whole process. Likewise, I have students who are very busy and can only fit in 30-minute lesson every other week. These students still work very hard for those 30 minutes, and make the time here and there to practice (sometimes during their work commute!). Keep in mind that many teachers are willing to customize for you. Maybe you usually do 30 minutes, but once in a while you have an upcoming performance you really want to make solid and would like more help with your song(s). I always allow my students to mix it up, realizing that needs will certainly change. So, the short answer? It’s all up to you if you’re a teen or adult singer. We are all different, so there is no one way to do voice lessons when youre learning how to sing! Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013. Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Penn State

What Can You Do With a Music Degree Tips for Singers

What Can You Do With a Music Degree Tips for Singers Suzy S. Is it worth it to get a degree in music? Find out one teachers take, in this article  by San Diego, CA voice teacher  Reina M... The voice is a very versatile instrument and while most young artists aspire for fame on a global level, as a singer you can do many things. You can become a prima donna in the opera, you can sing at the opening of the World Series, or you can go on a world tour like Beyonce or Madonna. You can become the voice of a Disney princess, record an audiobook, or provide voiceover talent for radio and television commercials. If you’re nearing college, you might be wondering: is it worth it to get a music degree? Should I go to a prominent music school to receive a degree in Vocal Performance, or will I be just as successful finding gigs on my own? In this post, I’ll share with you what I’ve learned. Musician or Hobbyist? Deciding if You Should Get a Music Degree As you’re trying to decide about a music degree, my advice is this: If you plan to become an artist who can sustain a lifestyle with music, it’s important that you apply yourself to learning as much as possible. This commitment to lifelong learning is what will solidify your status as a musician! This especially applies to vocalists. Music is a language you learn, just like any other foreign language, and there are many vocalists who “speak” conversational music. They get by and can be quite convincing. They can sing what is sung to them, they can recite what they hear, and they may even have original song ideas. Unfortunately, these song ideas will ultimately become a byproduct of the other musicians they are performing with, because conversational singers cannot clearly articulate what they are trying to convey. On the other hand, there are fluent vocalists who learn their preferred key signatures to the songs they sing, they lead the band on when to change and what to change into, and they may even be able to transcribe the thoughts in their heads for the musicians they play with, enabling them to rehearse more efficiently. Getting a music degree exposes you to an array of opportunities, and allows you to educate yourself in all areas of the voice. There’s a caveat though. Getting a Music Degree: What You Can Expect to Learn I went to school to study how to be a singer. I received a BA in Music with a Vocal Performance emphasis. I thought I would be taken more seriously by instrumentalists if I were educated, and if I could tell a guitarist or keyboardist what key I was singing in. This did prove to be true, but I soon realized that it didn’t matter how much I knew if I did not walk into an audition or performance without confidence and a clear idea of what I wanted. I spent four years learning all the background knowledge, but the truth is, there’s always more to learn as you work toward your music career. It has been 10 years since I graduated college. At first I was convinced it was a waste of time. It was the first eight years after college that I learned how to book shows for myself, how to market myself as an artist, and how to write the music I really wanted to sing. I diversified my instrument repertoire by learning the ukulele; I continued learning and growing. What Can You Do with a Music Degree? My Personal Outcome Having experienced college and the life of a starving artist, I am thankful that I went to school and can rely on music to financially support myself in my ongoing musical endeavors. With grand hopes of becoming a star, I did not foresee becoming a music teacher, a title I now wear proudly. It can feel like a prison to have to work a “real” job and only get to live your passion on nights and weekends. While obtaining a music degree will not guarantee you the success you may be hoping for currently, in the long-run a degree will allow you to use music in other ways if, by some twist of fate, fame is not in your stars. Post Author:  Reina M.. Reina M. has taught  singing lessons in San Diego, CA since 2005. She  earned her B.A. in music from Seattle University and currently sings jazz, RB, and soul for her original band The Dynasty. Learn more about Reina  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher