For anybody with aspirations of improving their voice, taking private singing lessons is an excellent decision.
You can sing for yourself or sing professionally. There are lots of benefits to learning to sing that go far beyond just singing better.
Singing can help you to learn foreign languages more easily. You can pick up on aspects of language including syllables, rhymes, rhythms, and vocabulary in the same way you'd learn or study lyrics and the melody.
No matter your level, you can get better at singing by working with a private singing tutor, but where exactly can you find the right private singing tutor for you?
Here's our guide to finding private singing tutors.
Find Private Singing Tutors through Local Ads and Classifieds
This is one of the classic ways to find private tutors and pretty much any service locally. You can find classified ads in local newspapers and publications or notice boards in public buildings or local private businesses.
Even if you can't find local singing tutors, don't forget you can always post your own ad letting people know you're looking for a private singing tutor.
Before you start looking for private singing tutors, it can help to outline your goals and objectives.
Common goals for aspiring singers can include:
- Better diction
- An expanded repertoire
- Improved singing technique
- Optimising your voice
- Learning advanced breathing technique
- Mastering vibrato and using your diaphragm
Music shops are also great places to look for singing tutors, music theory tutors, or private tutors teaching musical instruments. If they don't have a notice board or similar, you can always ask a staff member to help you in your search.
Word of mouth is an old-school method, but it's still really effective. All you have to do is let everybody know that you're looking for a private singing tutor and if it comes up in conversation, they'll know to mention your name.
It's always good to talk and by letting people know, you can also find out what the students thought of their private singing tutor before you decide to hire them.
You can also similarly use websites and social media. Let your friends, followers, and connections know that you're looking for a private singing tutor and you'll soon find someone or somebody who knows someone.
Private singing tutors can adapt their lessons to you and what you want to learn so it doesn't matter if you want to sing for fun or become a professional opera singer, they can help you to improve.
Find Private Singing Tutors in Music Schools
If you're looking for an excellent vocal coach, then going to a private music school is probably your best choice.
This kind of teacher is likely to be classically trained and can show you the proper posture, how to read a score and teach you about a variety of different musical styles. These are generally the most prestigious vocal coaches and you'll find that they will often have rates to match.
These kinds of vocal coaches will be great at working out your voice type and ensuring that you work on pieces that are right for your voice and will help you improve.
Any private singing tutor should be adapting their lessons to their students, but you should expect something special from these classically-trained vocal coaches.
By adapting their lessons, every private singing tutor can ensure that they're working to the student's personal goals rather than just to a curriculum that mightn't fully line up with their aspirations.
If you want to start composing your own music, too, your private singing tutor or vocal coach might consider spending time teaching you music theory. For students that are only interested in performance, they may spend more time on musical expression, stage presence, etc.
No matter what you want to do, you need to look for a private singing tutor that will adapt their lessons.
Whatever the type of instruction the pupil receives, it will help them develop as a musician in their own right and may even help them to make decisions about a potential music career.
Music schools and conservatories tend to offer full-time programs and extra-curricular programs for children looking to learn more about music and the performing arts outside of their regular schooling.
Anyone can start enjoying the benefits of learning to sing, but you need to do your research first. Music and performing arts schools will likely offer two main kinds of tuition, group and private tuition.
There are pros and cons to each.
- Group Sessions: These tend to be more affordable because several students are paying for the class. It can be useful for students to learn to sing with others as part of the group as they have a point of reference for their voice and progress. In group sessions, singing workshops, or singing programs, you'll be learning to sing with others of a similar level.
- Private Sessions: In one-on-one private singing lessons, you'll be the only student in the class. These are usually more expensive before you have to pay for the vocal coach's time yourself. This is a good option for students with very specific goals and ambitions because every minute of the session can be spent working on them.
Your goals and your budget are the two main factors to consider before choosing vocal coaching or private singing tuition. There are also lots of other factors that you may want to consider when choosing the perfect singing teacher.
Private tutoring in any subject relies on teamwork and you'll be expected to practice your vocal techniques between lessons.
Learn More About Singing at a Conservatory or University
If you're serious about singing, you might want to study a degree in music or get a degree-level education in singing.
There are conservatories all over the world, with many in Europe, North America, and a few in Australia. While they often teach at a similar level to universities, when it comes to music education, they're widely considered to be the very best and the most prestigious.
Conservatories around the world tend to have very high standards when it comes to accepting students onto their courses and programs and places are usually only reserved for those who've been studying music most of their lives.
The application process is also particularly daunting and will regularly involve your typical university application process plus additional auditions.
Conservatories often have programs for younger students, but their main programs are for adults and those who've completed their compulsory schooling. Think of them as specialist universities for music.
Conservatories will offer bachelor's and master's degrees as well as PhDs in musical and performing arts subjects.
In New Zealand, most music schools form part of the domestic university system. However, the Te Kōkī, the New Zealand School of Music is a joint venture between Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University. It focuses on classical performance, jazz performance, music studies, composition, and sonic arts.
The School of Music at the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries could be another interesting option for aspiring singers looking for more education in singing.
Most universities in New Zealand offer music programs that allow students to pursue their interests while also getting an internationally-recognised qualification in music and singing.
How to Find Vocal Coaches Online
No matter your preferred style, the internet is a nearly endless resource for anyone wanting to improve their singing. In a matter of clicks, you'll be able to find vocal coaches from New Zealand and all over the world.
While your local newspapers will provide you with private singing tutors or vocal coaches who work locally, the internet is a way to quickly find both local and online singing tuition.
The internet will also allow you to find out more about each singing tutor without having to contact them.
For example, on Superprof, you can browse tutors' profiles to find out more about them such as:
- The levels they teach
- Their qualifications
- Their teaching and singing experience
- Their hourly rates
- What their other students think of them
- What they specialise in
Vocal coaches can and should adapt each session to their student's goals and how they like to learn. Before you hire any private tutor, you need to ask yourself what you want to learn, how you like to learn and consider how much voice training will cost.
Fortunately, a lot of private singing tutors offer the first hour of tuition for free or will be willing to have a chat or interview about how they can help you.
Be sure to ask them about their experience, but also be clear about what you expect from there before you start working together on your voice!
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