Singing Teachers taking singing lessons, Looking for a teacher after a long break from lessons Options

[Brynfan]

My income from teaching has finally got to the point where I can afford to have lessons myself again, both for CPD purposes and for pleasure.

Looking online for singing teachers, most of them are far less qualified and experienced than I am (and charge more, but that's a different topic....).

I have found a couple who seem to match my requirements for a vocal teacher, but now I'm nervous about contacting them for an initial lesson - what will they say about my voice, will they wonder how on earth I managed to achieve my qualifications etc.....

Do other singing teachers feel nervous about having singing lessons themselves?

I now know how my own pupils feel at their first lesson (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Seer_Green]

I think this is very tricky, made more complicated by the fact there aren't that many around. I haven't had lessons for the past couple of years because I just cannot find anyone who's right, in the right area. I think the reality is that if I want lessons, it's going to be a day trip further away every now and then.

The last teacher I had was super and very supportive of my teaching (and particularly understood that I was more interested in teaching than I was in performing). Trouble is now it's just too far out of the way to get to her, even on an occasional basis.

When I was looking for a teacher about six years ago, I had a lot of trouble. Quite a few just didn't respond and several were put off by the fact I was teaching. One in particular sent a very rude reply and said she didn't think I should be teaching anyway. I think that because singing is such a personal thing (embedded in 'you') it makes it even more important that the teacher isn't just a good teacher, but that you get on with them really well too, particularly at higher levels.

[Brynfan]

I think this is very tricky, made more complicated by the fact there aren't that many around. I haven't had lessons for the past couple of years because I just cannot find anyone who's right, in the right area. I think the reality is that if I want lessons, it's going to be a day trip further away every now and then.

The last teacher I had was super and very supportive of my teaching (and particularly understood that I was more interested in teaching than I was in performing). Trouble is now it's just too far out of the way to get to her, even on an occasional basis.

When I was looking for a teacher about six years ago, I had a lot of trouble. Quite a few just didn't respond and several were put off by the fact I was teaching. One in particular sent a very rude reply and said she didn't think I should be teaching anyway. I think that because singing is such a personal thing (embedded in 'you') it makes it even more important that the teacher isn't just a good teacher, but that you get on with them really well too, particularly at higher levels.

You're right in saying that there aren't many around. Out of many listing I've only found 2 that meet my criteria and are within a suitable distance. I've had some recommendations, but when I've looked the teachers up online some of them don't even have singing listed under their qualifications. I know that qualifications, in many cases, don't mean a thing, but I want someone who's at a similar level or higher than me and is able to work with my voice rather than teach me songs (I can do that myself!)

Well, I'm going to bite the bullet and make a couple of calls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Dugazon]

Can I just say that taking lessons or occasional supervision at an advanced stage of your own singing/teaching career should be considered completely normal?

I honestly never got why some people make such a fuss about what would be considered an essential part of PD in any other job. The ones who knock you back are probably just feeling threatened, see you as a competitor, have low self-confidence, or are so far up their own backside that I quite frankly wouldn't consider them right anyway. No singer or teacher worth their salt stops PD (this includes working on your own voice if you're a singing teacher!), so why there are still people out there who think it's a "weakness" to admit having supervisory sessions is quite honestly beyond me (Edit: Not saying anyone here is, just an observation I made through the years).

There are teachers for all levels - even people who sing at the Met still get themselves checked out. How frequently you need this depends on a lot of things, but first and foremost on what you personally feel is right. I think everyone can find someone who is right for them. I teach semi-pros and pros myself, and I don't feel anything else than wanting them to do well, and being supportive. This world is big enough for everyone.

I get myself checked out a couple of times a year if my coaches and I can get the timetabling right. We might be very good at diagnosing and helping others, but we are sometimes blissfully unaware (or just purposefully ignorant (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)) of bad habits creeping in ourselves, so it is really good to hear a colleague's opinion every now and then. I work with two people, one operatic, one more Musical Theatre based. I do both online, so no need to travel. If you are a professionally trained singer, you should be experienced enough to take the criticism/suggestions on board and work on them independently.

I don't really feel nervous about it, more excited: It gives me something to work on (occasionally they don't even have anything to moan, but honestly: They virtually always give me ideas).

I think btw that it's equally important for a singer/teacher to get a medical check-up once a year or so (I'm obviously not talking your GP here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)).

So to sum it up: Do it, it's a good thing and the professional thing to do!

P.S.: If you are willing to pay industry standard rates, you will always find very highly specialised coaches who mainly work with pros, be they teachers or singers. And trust me, NONE of them will knock you back, feel threatened (the very idea would probably make them laugh) or belittle you.

[jm-hamilton]

My income from teaching has finally got to the point where I can afford to have lessons myself again, both for CPD purposes and for pleasure.

Looking online for singing teachers, most of them are far less qualified and experienced than I am (and charge more, but that's a different topic....).

I have found a couple who seem to match my requirements for a vocal teacher, but now I'm nervous about contacting them for an initial lesson - what will they say about my voice, will they wonder how on earth I managed to achieve my qualifications etc.....

Do other singing teachers feel nervous about having singing lessons themselves?

I now know how my own pupils feel at their first lesson (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Hi, I'm not a singer so you may think I shouldn't be replying here, but I notice you're in South Wales (I'm from there originally too). Have you thought of enquiring at the WCMD, or one of the universities, or WNO? If I was looking for lessons I think I'd at least make an enquiry in the relevant department. They'll all use singing teachers and may provide some useful names.

[Brynfan]

My income from teaching has finally got to the point where I can afford to have lessons myself again, both for CPD purposes and for pleasure.

Looking online for singing teachers, most of them are far less qualified and experienced than I am (and charge more, but that's a different topic....).

I have found a couple who seem to match my requirements for a vocal teacher, but now I'm nervous about contacting them for an initial lesson - what will they say about my voice, will they wonder how on earth I managed to achieve my qualifications etc.....

Do other singing teachers feel nervous about having singing lessons themselves?

I now know how my own pupils feel at their first lesson (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Hi, I'm not a singer so you may think I shouldn't be replying here, but I notice you're in South Wales (I'm from there originally too). Have you thought of enquiring at the WCMD, or one of the universities, or WNO? If I was looking for lessons I think I'd at least make an enquiry in the relevant department. They'll all use singing teachers and may provide some useful names.




I was hoping to find someone a bit closer to home first before spreading the net a bit wider, but I will definitely be contacting WCMD if I have no luck. Hadn't thought of the WNO (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) , so thanks for that.

Don't know what went wrong with the above post - not meant to be within a quote (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[silverfoxx]

My income from teaching has finally got to the point where I can afford to have lessons myself again, both for CPD purposes and for pleasure.

Looking online for singing teachers, most of them are far less qualified and experienced than I am (and charge more, but that's a different topic....).

I have found a couple who seem to match my requirements for a vocal teacher, but now I'm nervous about contacting them for an initial lesson - what will they say about my voice, will they wonder how on earth I managed to achieve my qualifications etc.....

Do other singing teachers feel nervous about having singing lessons themselves?

I now know how my own pupils feel at their first lesson (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Hi, I'm not a singer so you may think I shouldn't be replying here, but I notice you're in South Wales (I'm from there originally too). Have you thought of enquiring at the WCMD, or one of the universities, or WNO? If I was looking for lessons I think I'd at least make an enquiry in the relevant department. They'll all use singing teachers and may provide some useful names.




I was hoping to find someone a bit closer to home first before spreading the net a bit wider, but I will definitely be contacting WCMD if I have no luck. Hadn't thought of the WNO (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) , so thanks for that.

Don't know what went wrong with the above post - not meant to be within a quote (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Hi Brynfan,

I'm not a teacher although I have returned to lessons after a period of time.

You may think it is difficult perhaps for a singing teacher to consider taking lessons. But remember all professional singers continue with lessons throughout their career. It isn't optional, it's essential so that the teacher(coach) can help the singer with anything and everything to do with their voice.

Left to their own devices the experienced singer will soon develop unfortunate habits as it is very, very difficult to recognise these habits on your own.

The standard of singing teacher you select may not need to be higher than your own qualification or experience. The teacher merely needs to be able to help you to get the best out of your voice now and to be able to help you improve in areas which may emerge that requires attention.This is so long as the teacher coach is following best practice in voice production and performance technique.

My octogenarian singing and piano teacher is still in contact with the RSAMD , now Scottish conservatoire to get the odd wrinkle for her Trinity grade 8 accompaniment exams. A very wise move indeed as these educators are at the cusp of modern best practice. Why not consider doing the same with your local music school or conservatoire?

Most of these also offer summer courses at minimum grade 8 standard which would definitely cater for singers like you have a look at this for instance. It may be up your street?

http://www.rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses/musicadu...calsinging.html

You never know, you may make contact with the ideal person whilst you are there?

[stetenorve]

I'm not a teacher although I have returned to lessons after a period of time.

You may think it is difficult perhaps for a singing teacher to consider taking lessons. But remember all professional singers continue with lessons throughout their career. It isn't optional, it's essential so that the teacher(coach) can help the singer with anything and everything to do with their voice.

Left to their own devices the experienced singer will soon develop unfortunate habits as it is very, very difficult to recognise these habits on your own.

The standard of singing teacher you select may not need to be higher than your own qualification or experience. The teacher merely needs to be able to help you to get the best out of your voice now and to be able to help you improve in areas which may emerge that requires attention.This is so long as the teacher coach is following best practice in voice production and performance technique.

My octogenarian singing and piano teacher is still in contact with the RSAMD , now Scottish conservatoire to get the odd wrinkle for her Trinity grade 8 accompaniment exams. A very wise move indeed as these educators are at the cusp of modern best practice. Why not consider doing the same with your local music school or conservatoire?

Most of these also offer summer courses at minimum grade 8 standard which would definitely cater for singers like you have a look at this for instance. It may be up your street?

http://www.rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses/musicadu...calsinging.html

You never know, you may make contact with the ideal person whilst you are there?

Bit of a sweeping statement?

[silverfoxx]

I'm not a teacher although I have returned to lessons after a period of time.

You may think it is difficult perhaps for a singing teacher to consider taking lessons. But remember all professional singers continue with lessons throughout their career. It isn't optional, it's essential so that the teacher(coach) can help the singer with anything and everything to do with their voice.

Left to their own devices the experienced singer will soon develop unfortunate habits as it is very, very difficult to recognise these habits on your own.

The standard of singing teacher you select may not need to be higher than your own qualification or experience. The teacher merely needs to be able to help you to get the best out of your voice now and to be able to help you improve in areas which may emerge that requires attention.This is so long as the teacher coach is following best practice in voice production and performance technique.

My octogenarian singing and piano teacher is still in contact with the RSAMD , now Scottish conservatoire to get the odd wrinkle for her Trinity grade 8 accompaniment exams. A very wise move indeed as these educators are at the cusp of modern best practice. Why not consider doing the same with your local music school or conservatoire?

Most of these also offer summer courses at minimum grade 8 standard which would definitely cater for singers like you have a look at this for instance. It may be up your street?

http://www.rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses/musicadu...calsinging.html

You never know, you may make contact with the ideal person whilst you are there?

Bit of a sweeping statement?

Thanks for your input stetenorve. Alas no there is nothing sweeping about this statement. There is a wealth of evidence from singers such as Dietrich Fischer Dieskau and accompanists such as Gerald Moore to support this. In Fischer Dieskau's case there was a very successful singer who had been in the A list circuit for a number of years and who had been deluding himself (his words, not mine) that his continuous re-interpretation of Schubert lieder was improvement on his last intepretation. For his pains he found that he was deluded but at the point when Gerald Moore came along he realised that as a result of his over exertions he was in danger of damaging his vocal folds.

I am a singer and I would not make a thoughtless statement which would misinform fellow singers?

[ExpressYourself]

I'm sure with every skill bad habits can form and it's good practice for those even at the top of their game to get regular check ups with another professional.

It's probably also true that such a check up wouldn't need to be with a teacher who is more qualified than you. It's just an external set of ears and judgements.