Let’s Talk About Singing Lessons.
I know the thought of opening your mouth and singing in front of a complete stranger can be terrifying, let alone a singing teacher who is meant to know what “good singing” sounds like. But let me ask you this question? Do you think you’re the first person your singing teacher has heard who says and feels something negative about their own voice ?
I have been teaching since 2012 and I have heard my fair share of different voices, and I am yet to work with somebody who “can’t sing”. Sure, there have been some challenges, but I love challenges.
My job is to help you navigate your voice. I can’t promise you that you’ll sound like Whitney Houston or Freddie Mercury, but the world has had one of them already. Do we need another one? Your voice is part of you and your identity, it helps tell your story.
Did you know that singing can scientifically put you in a better mood? Singing stimulates the Vagus Nerve, which carries signals between your brain, heart and digestive system and it plays an important role in the involuntary movement of your digestion, heart rate and blood pressure, Immune system and Mood. It runs from your brain to your large intestine.
Singing should always come from a place of freedom and fun.
If singing is something you want to get better at and feel more comfortable in, go and get yourself a singing teacher. Even if it is just for a few lessons, and set yourself some vocal goals. Whether it is smashing a song at a Karaoke party, joining a local choir, fronting or doing backing vocals for a gigging band, or singing for yourself whilst doing the housework, lessons are the best place to start. Your teacher will help you navigate that tricky spot where the bottom part of your voice doesn’t seem to join the top part of your voice, they’ll help you plan and stabilise your breathing to help support that song you’re working on. They’ll help you hear that pitch and sing in tune. They will help and guide you on your singing journey, and let me tell you, that is the best part of the job.
My studio is always a safe space and the lessons run at the students’ own pace. I’ll always check in with how you are feeling with your singing, set realistic goals, and lessons can be audio recorded to help you with your practice. I know I always find this massively helpful when I attend my own singing lessons, but if you decide you don’t want your lesson recording that is also fine.
I will also put you in touch with other people who work with the voice if there is something I can not help you with. For instance, if I am geographically too far away from you, I know of a few singing teachers around Surrey and Hampshire who may be able to take on new students. Or if you struggle with severe jaw retention or a lot of tension around the neck and shoulders and my singing bag of tricks are not working, I’d suggest that you go and see a vocal masseuse like Surrey based Holly Saxon. Or if you need vocal rehab after vocal surgery I’d suggest you book a session with Jenevora Williams in Guildford. Good vocal health is key, and it’s important you know where to go to get the help needed. Since my own vocal health struggles I realised that we need a community around us and there is always someone out there to help. You can read about my vocal health journey from my blog – Why Vocal Health Is Important.
So take the dip and book yourself a singing lesson. Between us we’ll get you singing songs and feeling better in your own vocal ability in no time. My advice in booking lessons would be to book the 30-minute session first, and if you want longer after that, look at booking the 45-minutes or 1 hour sessions, and be kind to yourself, it is not a sprint, and we’ll go on this singing journey together.