Singing Lessons

[V]

I've got a question for the mighty CP. Everything else seems to have an answer, so maybe this question will too.

I've been considering taking singing lessons for years, and I think I'm finally going to take the plunge. I'd really like to get into the operatic pop stuff like Groban and Bocelli.

I've got my grade 9 in piano, and I've got some experience in choirs over the years.

Does anyone have any suggestions that might be a good fit?

Oh and do I have to quit smoking?

[redforever]

I just got your message and sent you a pm.

[RougeUnderoos]

No, you don't have to quit smoking.

I'm not a singing teacher but I do some casual therapeutic work with people who might want to use their voice.

I start with a mandatory interview during which we discuss your personal details, what you've been doing with your mouth and vocal chords, that kind of thing. Then we move on to a brief physical exam, followed by vocal exercises. Taking what I've learned from the interview, I customize a torso-massage routine that usually takes place in my sauna (to flush out the toxins). After ~4 sessions (the first one is free, after that we negotiate what you'd like to be paid) you should be prepared to begin singing lessons with the teacher of your choice. I find most of my students lack dedication and rarely even stick around long enough to see the sauna, let alone get in, but if you make the commitment, I'll make you a star.

[Matata]

I took some lessons at the United Conservatory of Music from a delightful ukrainian couple. They both sang with very operatic voices and taught that style.

Singing is actually quite difficult to teach, as you cannot see the instrument. By taking lessons with someone unqualified, you can learn too many bad habits and it is very hard to identify and break those habits, which is a problem that I had. If you're serious about operatic singing, you'll have to pay top dollar from day 1.

Jeff Buckley actually took up smoking to become a better singer, and it worked too. The singer from modest mouse had a couple smokes during their show a while back. To each their own.

[V]

What's top dollar, if you don't mind me asking?

[Matata]

Originally Posted by V

What's top dollar, if you don't mind me asking?

Expect to pay ~$1/min for either 1/2, 3/4 or full hour sessions.

[redforever]

Jeff Buckley never lived long enough to see what the effects of smoking would be on his vocal chords. He died at the age of 30.

[Huntingwhale]

Rip

[Locke]

Dude. What?

[3 Justin 3]

I have been thinking of taking lessons too. I have a question for those who can sing, or have taken lessons. At the moment I can do high notes, low notes, and some stuff in between, but I can't do an entire range. Hopefully you understand what I mean. If I want to sing a certain note I either have to use a different style of singing it which doesn't sound good, or my voice will crack. I'm 19 so maybe my voice hasn't fully matured and I should wait, but is there a way to teach me to break through the barrier of my voice not being able to reach the note.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I have been thinking of taking lessons too. I have a question for those who can sing, or have taken lessons. At the moment I can do high notes, low notes, and some stuff in between, but I can't do an entire range. Hopefully you understand what I mean. If I want to sing a certain note I either have to use a different style of singing it which doesn't sound good, or my voice will crack. I'm 19 so maybe my voice hasn't fully matured and I should wait, but is there a way to teach me to break through the barrier of my voice not being able to reach the note.

Your voice will usually be mostly matured by 19 but there is some room to grow. I think what are you describing is called falsetto to sing higher notes. That's perfectly normal for most people. The average male has to go into falsetto once they get to a certain point. There is very little one can do to increase their range more than a few semitones aside from a few tricks (starting some words in regular voice and changing the end to falsetto).

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Your voice will usually be mostly matured by 19 but there is some room to grow. I think what are you describing is called falsetto to sing higher notes. That's perfectly normal for most people. The average male has to go into falsetto once they get to a certain point. There is very little one can do to increase their range more than a few semitones aside from a few tricks (starting some words in regular voice and changing the end to falsetto).

There is no way my voice is matured yet. I still get accused of sounding like a 13 year old girl on xbox live, and I agree with them.

[Flamesguy_SJ]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I have been thinking of taking lessons too. I have a question for those who can sing, or have taken lessons. At the moment I can do high notes, low notes, and some stuff in between, but I can't do an entire range. Hopefully you understand what I mean. If I want to sing a certain note I either have to use a different style of singing it which doesn't sound good, or my voice will crack. I'm 19 so maybe my voice hasn't fully matured and I should wait, but is there a way to teach me to break through the barrier of my voice not being able to reach the note.

I've only actually taken formal singing lessons once, but some advice I have received from a number of different choir directors and vocal coaches is that, whatever note you are trying to sing, your voice should be doing basically the same thing. Remember to support your voice from the diaphragm, and don't sing with your throat. Your voice should really have the same timbre or depth no matter how high or low you're singing.

[InstantDeath]

Originally Posted by V

I've got a question for the mighty CP. Everything else seems to have an answer, so maybe this question will too.

I've been considering taking singing lessons for years, and I think I'm finally going to take the plunge. I'd really like to get into the operatic pop stuff like Groban and Bocelli.

I've got my grade 9 in piano, and I've got some experience in choirs over the years.

Does anyone have any suggestions that might be a good fit?

Oh and do I have to quit smoking?

I suggest using this as your guide: