FAQs
Can anyone learn to sing?
In short, yes. Some people’s journeys are just a bit longer than others, but if you can speak, you can sing! Be aware that bigger/louder voices are harder to control especially when young – often people will be told that they cannot sing when in-fact there is an outstanding voice waiting to be trained.
If I learn from an opera singer, will I sound like an opera singer?
Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Adam Lambert, Nicole Scherzinger, Frank Sinatra, Freddie Mercury, and Roberta Flack all trained classically. If you’re worried about sounding classical – don’t be! It takes years and years of focussed study to sing operatically.
Why should I learn from an Opera singer?!
Opera singers learn to generate the power to fill huge auditoriums un-mic’d. The sheer pressure on the vocal cords means that one wrongly placed note could end a career – which is why opera singers are masters in technique and safe voice placement.
Why should I care about good and safe technique?
Learning good technique helps build power, range, and control whatever your voice type, and generally makes singing way more enjoyable. But most importantly, good technique guards against vocal cord damage. You should never feel pain or feel hoarse when singing. You only have one pair of vocal chords – protect them!
How do I choose a singing teacher?
There are hundreds of singing teachers out there but only a handful of great ones. Anyone with a good voice and a good-looking website can, with the best intentions, set themselves up as a singing teacher. This is pretty concerning because teachers that don’t know what they’re doing can damage voices.
I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that you find a teacher who has an excellent understanding of safe technique – so look out for qualifications specifically in singing (ideally at diploma or post-graduate level). Professional experience is also a massive plus (e.g. audition experience and performances). But above all, you should really trust and feel comfortable with your teacher. Singing lessons should be FUN. Singing should bring joy. You should leave feeling on a high even if things aren’t perfect yet. If you don’t feel this, you are not with the right teacher. Try a few and see who works for you. It’s very personal.
This article from Backstage is well worth a read: “…You will know you’ve found your match when you leave the first lesson feeling like your mind just got blown…”
Do I need my teacher need to have the same voice type as me?
No, it is absolutely not essential, but can be helpful. My first proper teacher was a contralto (the lowest female voice type) whilst I am a high soprano (the highest female voice type). I’d advise looking for a teacher you click with first and consider it a welcome bonus if they have a similar voice-type.
Are online lessons any good?
Face-to-face lessons are ideal because you can hear nuances in the voice and it’s easier to see and make corrections to structural aspects (posture, breathing, ticks). In saying that, I've been really impressed at how well online lessons have worked. I’ve found they can be extremely effective for students who already have a strong foundation in vocal technique and for beginners who are dedicated and up for a challenge! Ultimately, a good teacher online will be better than a mediocre teacher face-to-face.
I have more questions!
Then please do get in contact and I'd be happy to chat!
In short, yes. Some people’s journeys are just a bit longer than others, but if you can speak, you can sing! Be aware that bigger/louder voices are harder to control especially when young – often people will be told that they cannot sing when in-fact there is an outstanding voice waiting to be trained.
If I learn from an opera singer, will I sound like an opera singer?
Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Adam Lambert, Nicole Scherzinger, Frank Sinatra, Freddie Mercury, and Roberta Flack all trained classically. If you’re worried about sounding classical – don’t be! It takes years and years of focussed study to sing operatically.
Why should I learn from an Opera singer?!
Opera singers learn to generate the power to fill huge auditoriums un-mic’d. The sheer pressure on the vocal cords means that one wrongly placed note could end a career – which is why opera singers are masters in technique and safe voice placement.
Why should I care about good and safe technique?
Learning good technique helps build power, range, and control whatever your voice type, and generally makes singing way more enjoyable. But most importantly, good technique guards against vocal cord damage. You should never feel pain or feel hoarse when singing. You only have one pair of vocal chords – protect them!
How do I choose a singing teacher?
There are hundreds of singing teachers out there but only a handful of great ones. Anyone with a good voice and a good-looking website can, with the best intentions, set themselves up as a singing teacher. This is pretty concerning because teachers that don’t know what they’re doing can damage voices.
I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that you find a teacher who has an excellent understanding of safe technique – so look out for qualifications specifically in singing (ideally at diploma or post-graduate level). Professional experience is also a massive plus (e.g. audition experience and performances). But above all, you should really trust and feel comfortable with your teacher. Singing lessons should be FUN. Singing should bring joy. You should leave feeling on a high even if things aren’t perfect yet. If you don’t feel this, you are not with the right teacher. Try a few and see who works for you. It’s very personal.
This article from Backstage is well worth a read: “…You will know you’ve found your match when you leave the first lesson feeling like your mind just got blown…”
Do I need my teacher need to have the same voice type as me?
No, it is absolutely not essential, but can be helpful. My first proper teacher was a contralto (the lowest female voice type) whilst I am a high soprano (the highest female voice type). I’d advise looking for a teacher you click with first and consider it a welcome bonus if they have a similar voice-type.
Are online lessons any good?
Face-to-face lessons are ideal because you can hear nuances in the voice and it’s easier to see and make corrections to structural aspects (posture, breathing, ticks). In saying that, I've been really impressed at how well online lessons have worked. I’ve found they can be extremely effective for students who already have a strong foundation in vocal technique and for beginners who are dedicated and up for a challenge! Ultimately, a good teacher online will be better than a mediocre teacher face-to-face.
I have more questions!
Then please do get in contact and I'd be happy to chat!