I really wanna learn opera singing, i did ask my teacher if i could ages ago, and we started, and he was like 'you can only learn opera if you develop that kind of voice', and turns out it suited me well. But stupidly he still left me in a class with two people who dislike opera and wanted to learn pop singing. So then all i've learnt for the last 2 years is theatre or pop or r&b singing or whatever, i was going to go in for my grade 5 in the summer term but couldnt as i had GCSEs and grade 8 flute
I'm getting a new singing teacher in school though - tomorrow, actually. If i ask her if i can learn classical singing, will i actually get to do that or do all singing teachers just make you sing a general genre i.e. theatre or whatever.
I guess the 2 years of 'general' singing is a good foundation to have before moving onto classical, but hmm. Does anyone else learn classical singing with your teacher in school?

Standard Disclaimer - I'm no teacher, I'm pretty ignorant about most things to do with singing, and I've only passed grade five BUT:

Even in the ABRSM exams you learn a classical piece, a musical theatre piece and so on - different genres... So I would think if your singing teacher is a good one then you absolutely would be able to learn classical if you like - I do. The Italian arias I sing are lovely. I'm lucky enough that my singing teacher encourages me to try out every genre and type of music I'm interested in - if you get a good teacher she will too.

But... do you learn in a group? I wouldn't have thought that was even possible! How does that work?

1) in my lessons we didnt really do grades - no-one he taught did. he 'toyed' with the idea of the grade 5 for me but it didnt happen not just cause of the reaasons i said but cause he just forgot

2) the group thing well hmm. our lessons, were like usually (but not always) a quick warmup then sang a few songs, whichever songs we wanted. i felt like i learned NOTHING about voice. he was a lovely man but i wanted to learn to sing, it was so frustrating and annoying.

Sound more like our old singing club to me - it was a fun lunchtime thing, but I wouldn't have said I learnt anything - other than all the words to "Show me the meaning of being lonely" and that being an alto is unfair if you're rubbish at harmony...

Then again who am I to judge? I've never tried it...

Hopefully your new teacher will work with you one to one and will teach you how to sing rather than just teach you songs. There is a disastrous teacher in a school in my area who does a similar thing but worse. They ask the children what they want to sing and then just play the piano for them to belt out pop and then tells them all that they are wonderful! One has big vocal problems after four years with this teacher.
You need to ask the new teacher some questions if you can pluck up the courage to do so.
Ask how they will look after a young and developing voice?
Ask if they will give you exercises to develop your technique?
Will they be working at aural training and sight singing?
Tell them that your interest lies in classical singing and ask if they teach this style.
You are at an age where you could be developing a good vocal technique now. It would be a pity to miss out because of unsuitable teaching.

I had my first lesson today... this teacher is MUCH better, i actually learnt stuff haha. we'll sing through a song, then sing it again and every time i do something wrong, no matter how small the mistake or how many times it happens, she will stop and say what im doing wrong and how to correct it and we'll then carry on once i get that. luckily we didnt have to stop many times haha (to my surprise)
She also said that by all means i can learn classical singing - she is classically trained.
Ooh and she also said she'll keep my lessons with me just on my own, rather than in a group.

Complete opposite of my previous 2 years of lessons. And this is a good thing xD



I'm completely aware and of more than prepared for trying out other genres, after all this would make me a better singer, but i would like to be a classical singer

I love the classical songs I sing, and from the way my voice sounds (what my old choir master called a "true" alto.... as opposed to what? A false alto? ) I think my voice sounds best singing them... or maybe I should phrase it as the least bad. So I guess if I got properly trained up I'd be a classical singer too.

Da iawn Ffliwt. It sounds as if you have a teacher who is far more in line with your needs now. Do let us all know how you are getting of from time to time.

Diolch, will do!

This sounds really encouraging. Do remember that as a classical singer there is a wealth of repertoire just waiting for you to discover. That can be the most exciting bit of all.

The Celebrated Song Series (ed Shirley Leah) is a good place to start, as is The Boosey and Hawkes 20th Century Easy Song Collection, and the Language of Song (start with the Elementary Volume).

Your teacher is probably aware of all of these books, but they are definately on my recommended buying list for singers who are just starting out.

Good Luck!

Thanks! I'll try to get those