What to Expect at Your First Voice Lesson

Taking one on one voice lessons is to take a step of courage and vulnerability; a step that you should pat yourself on the back for! Think about it – when you sing for another person you are opening up all of your insecurities and have nothing to hide behind like a piano or trumpet. No buttons to blame for bad notes! No musicians joining you to boost your confidence! Just you, your body, and your soul actually. Singing is deeply personal and deeply communicative. You most likely will be nervous at your first voice lesson. If you weren’t, your teacher should take your pulse!

But working with a teacher is a great way to get help working toward your goals. Singing a solo at a pop concert at school? Building stamina and strength for musical theater? Singing harmony with a choir? Joining the church worship team? So many opportunities to use your voice for a purpose and working on healthy growth with a teacher is wise. No matter your goals and desires, all singing involves some delicate body parts that can be damaged easily. Think of your voice as having a finite account that constantly gets withdrawals all day long. When your voice is done (the account is empty) it will go! Learning strategies for healthy singing and saving on that account is crucial for your body.

At your first voice lesson, your teacher will encourage you with all the great parts of your singing you are already doing. (You must enjoy singing and have worked on it some before, or you wouldn’t even be there!) Your teacher will also share some helpful exercises to work on to strengthen your voice and expand your range. And of course the fun part – choosing some songs you will enjoy working on to apply the vocal techniques! Taking voice lessons is a journey and training process. One that should be built by consistent progress over time, just like any other physical skill! That first voice lesson should end with you giving yourself a huge high five for taking the first (sometimes scary) step on the journey towards your singing goals! Way to go!

Amy Rau

Music Instructor and Office Manager