Once upon a time there was a notion that if you had a good voice, you should go have voice lessons. I don’t remember being given any explanation. I guess the idea is that the “good voice” could be nurtured and you could go “somewhere” with it.
Most people I know who went to voice lessons In those times of yore, only sang classical music. Some church choir director told my mom I should be in voice lessons, mom found a little money (as she always would) and got me a few voice lessons when I was 15.
I went to the home of a very eccentric local church organist; she had 2 pianos and a harpsichord in her living room. She wore all black, dyed her hair black and wore cat-eye framed glasses.
She had me make these weird sounds, and instructed me to learn this Italian song. Back then, this was par for the course. Everyone learned an Italian art song. It was believed that this was the way (like a Mandalorian code) to “good” singing. This was the way to nurture a “budding” voice.
This was 1989. I may have gone 3 or 4 times. I wasn’t really sure of the purpose since I liked singing Whitney Houston songs. I eventually got back into that world in college, and it took me awhile to come back out to the contemporary music I love.
This idea still exists that voice lessons are for people who ALREADY sing, and may be pursuing a career in singing, or at least a very deliberate journey into preparing for auditions for college, local theater, etc.
And I know this myth perpetuates, because about every other new client I see gives me the disclaimer: “I mean, I’m not looking to be a professional singer, so…” not sure why they’re here. Every person I know who likes to play tennis/golf and has hired a coach to improve their game, were not trying to be a professional.
So, why is singing different? Perhaps because, once upon a time, a career in singing meant the opera, and one did need a coach to learn how to sing in that very specific, unnatural style.
And, perhaps since we all have a voice, the myth perpetuates that you either CAN or CAN’T sing. Again, not true… we all have arms, but mine don’t swing like Serena’s! I never trained them that way. I wasn’t interested. And, yet, I happily got on the court with my dad, brothers, boyfriend, when those fellas wanted to play.
Our culture is WAY passed that. Most of the music people listen to, or make a career singing in, is NOT classical music, but one of the dozens of popular music genres.
Most of my career teaching singers has been with people curious if they COULD sing, because they always wanted to, and it looks fun. Here are other reasons clients have sought out voice lessons…
Stressful 9-5; looking for a fun creative outlet
Close to retirement and looking for a new hobby, or returning to this hobby
Exploring songwriting (at any age) and now need some training how to sing the stuff they write
Tired of their kids complaining about their singing around the house and want to have an understanding about how to sing so people don’t cringe.
Wanting more confidence to sing out more comfortably at church.
Folks in a life transition, looking to find their voice in a form of expression
Wants to blow their friends away at the next karaoke night.
Professional singers who need a tune-up, or a little rehab, or some prep training for new material.
Singers who are having trouble singing the way they used to; something is wrong - help!
Words from one client: “I’d like to carry a tune and sound reasonably ok”… sometimes that’s it!
Then, there are a few budding artists…
ones who need to work on building self-worth; need to know their music is worthy to be put into the world
some just need the confidence boost (and the physical/psych training to get their voice to do the thing it shies away from)
ones who need a little more organization in their artist development
ones who need some deep dive exploration to find that voice that got stamped out with all of the Italian song training early on.
I’m happy to report that often my clients are getting so much more than they ever expected from our time together. Singing is the only art form of vocal expression that has us putting voice to emotion, second only to telling others how we feel. And, in a culture coming out of the darkness of repression and hiding our feelings, singing is a wonderful avenue for coming into that light and freedom of emotional expression.
What about YOU? What hidden goals are you curious about around your voice?
Come explore with me!