I'm hoping to start having monthly lessons...

I wondered if anyone either knew a good teacher in the Gloucester area (who might be able to teach or to recommend a less busy teacher, or had any pearls of wisdom on how to find a good teacher - as someone who has sung all my life but had very little technical input, I don't really know how I would judge after a few lessons whether the teacher was teaching me good technique or not. Obviously general teaching I can tell whether it's good or not... but singing specifics I have little idea about!

Any help would be appreciated!

Hi Sarah

Well done on making the big decision. Go for it!!

In terms of finding a teacher - the way I started out was to ask the conductor of my (then only, now main) choir to suggest someone.

Then, after a dither or two (or six!), I booked a consultation lesson with the person she recommended, and the rest is history......

The key thing that I recall now from my consultation lesson was that even then, on the basis of half an hour of talking and singing arpeggios, I could hear a difference in my voice - a much fuller sound than I'd achieved before and the first hint of a vibrato. I felt a good rapport with my teacher, and he was positive and encouraging about my capabilities ("hmmm your voice is in good nick, isn't it?" he said). And the idea of an adult beginner didn't bother him at all.

So I'd say that's the main benchmark - how does your voice sound/feel to you at the end of the consultation? Can the teacher identify what the challenges are with your current way of singing, and address them positively? Is what the teacher is trying to get you to do comfortable? Is it relaxing? Does it make sense? If the answer to these is good, then I'd say that's a good bet that you and the teacher will go on well together.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Katyjay

Thanks Katyjay!

*nods* I guess some things are a no-brainer, really... but somehow it's scary going to someone and really not feeling that I would know if they were teaching me naff technique! I guess it's been a long time since I have been a complete beginner at anything, so it feels rather strange (bit like, as a linguist, going to a country where you really don't have the first idea of any of the language... if you get used to going places where you have some grasp, or at least know a few words, or a related language, suddenly finding yourself hearing a language completely divorced from any you've heard before is rather unnerving!) - and I'm also conscious that if some unscrupulous or clueless teacher wrecked my piano technique or my flute embouchure, then it would only affect my piano or flute playing, whereas letting someone loose on your voice is more scary!

edit: yes, I meant to say, that makes absolute sense!

www.riakeen.co.uk

Hi Sarah,

I think our own DcmBarton teaches singing in the Gloucester area!

Yes - we've already emailed. Given that I may have access to transport soon I'm hoping to have a lesson in the not-too-distant future!

Excellent - good luck, hope everything goes well