Teaching without a voice is like driving with your eyes closed!
Losing our minds as teachers? No big deal, we lost ours long ago. (Kidding!) But losing your teacher voice, well, that’s a true occupational hazard. We spoke with voice teacher and coach Mollie Bennett Weikert who provided essential and easy-to-follow tips on how teachers can preserve their vocal chords.
1. Stay healthy.
The quickest route to a fragile, hoarse voice is through a cold, so those sickness-avoiding techniques we utilize during cold and flu season are critical for voice preservation year-round.
Keep your hands—those germ conduit culprits—away from your eyes, nose and mouth, and keep them as clean as possible. Get optimum sleep and follow a healthy diet (easier said than done, we know).
2. Don’t speak too loudly.
Yelling is the easiest way to wreck one’s voice, so utilize whatever strategies you can to keep loud speech to a minimum. If your classroom is exceptionally rowdy, get a bell or other signal to quiet your class without attempting to holler over them.
When speaking at assemblies or multi-classroom gatherings, take the administrative steps to achieve a microphone. It only takes one afternoon of calling across a crowded cafeteria for a sore, strained voice days after.
3. Slow down your speech.
One of the most common ways we strain our voices, says Weikert, is by talking too quickly. “Although teachers have a lot of tell their students, speaking really fast keeps the vocal chords tense and tight, and that is when damage can occur.” Making an effort to always speak in a normal pace will keep our voices strong.
4. Be aware of your breathing.
Throughout the school day, check in with yourself to make sure your breath is regular and steady. Weikert recommends that we think about our breathing before sleep as a guide.
At the end of the day, when laying down, our abdomens expand as we draw breath in and deflate as we exhale. We should aim for that breathing style throughout our hectic days.
5. Find your natural pitch.
The more we speak at the pitch level that our voice is accustomed too, the less likely we are to strain. Our best speaking pitch is not the highest or lowest pitch in our natural range, it is in the middle.
Teachers often may speak lower than natural for a more authoritative sound, or higher than natural to convey friendliness. Both adjustments can overuse the voice.
Instead, aim for the sound range that comes to your voice naturally, such as the tone of your voice when you spontaneously say “uh-huh.” The top note of your “huh” typically reflects your natural and optimum speaking pitch. If the voice you use to speak in the classroom differs from your natural pitch, you could be straining.
6. Do vocal chord straw exercises.
If a hoarse, strained or lost voice is a regular occurrence, add vocal exercises using a simple drinking straw to your day. These simple exercises take just a few minutes per day but can make a big difference in voice preservation. Weikert recommends this video and more straw voice exercises on YouTube as great places to start.
7. Stay hydrated.
Keeping your voice, as well as your body, hydrated through drinking lots of water is key. Coffee does not count, and caffeinated beverages can have the opposite effect and dry out our voices. Water lubricates the vocal chords, preventing wear and tear.
8. Be aware of vocal fry.
Young women (and those of us who may want to connect with young people) are most likely to use the voice pattern of vocal fry. Think of a Kardashian sister saying “Sooo cuuuute.”
This low, creaky voice vibration is caused by a fluttering of the vocal chords that abuses them, truly frying our voices. Weikert says that this speaking style is high damaging to vocal chords, and can cause vocal nodules and every day hoarseness.
In my post from a few weeks ago, I talked about the various places you can look for a good voice teacher. Now that you’ve started your search, you may have found that you don’t know what to look for in a teacher. How do you determine if they’re good? Just as importantly, how do you determine if they’re the right choice for you ? Today’s post lists six ways to find the right voice teacher for you, along with a bonus consideration at the end.
1. Ask About Their Teaching Style
Many people will tell you that classical training can teach you to sing any kind of style. This is both true and false. Classical training will certainly give you a good foundation in healthy singing. However, once it comes to the finer nuances of contemporary singing, such as belting, it comes up short.
Many classical teachers also do not feel comfortable teaching contemporary music. This is fine if you want to learn how to sing classical music, but is problematic if you want to sing rock, jazz, or maybe even musical theater. Know that no matter what your musical goals are, a good teacher will find a balance between finding music you want to learn and what is appropriate for your vocal development.
2. Look at Their Credentials
Performance experience is certainly one way to determine a teacher’s credentials. Remember though, those who can do can not necessarily teach! Many natural talents do not know how to convey what something should sound or feel like. Look for teachers who have many years of experience teaching or have studied voice pedagogy.
3. Listen to Their Students
What do their current students sound like? Where are their current students performing? Try to hear some of their students if you can. Do they all sound the same? This can be an indication that a teacher is a one-trick pony and perhaps not the best. Do you like how their students sound? Then this might be the teacher for you.
4. Look at the Cost
This will vary according to your location and to the length of your lesson (voice lessons are usually either ½ hour or an hour), but you really should not pay more than $100, especially for beginner lessons. An hour lesson will vary from $30-$70 on average. This will depend not only on location and your experience level, but the experience of the teacher as well.
Also, just because you are paying more it does not necessarily mean they will be a better teacher! I personally have never paid my own teachers more than $70 a week.
5. Consider the Initial Lesson
Many teachers will offer a lesson for free or for ½ the price as a way to make sure that it is a good fit for both of you. Personality matters with a teacher! This is also the time to ask a teacher any questions you may have. If a teacher does not offer a sample lesson, this is not necessarily a warning sign, but it may be worth it to keep shopping around.
Update: It has been noted by some that professionals should never be expected to work for free, a sentiment I am inclined to agree with. However, it should be noted that certain markets and areas expect some sort of benefit for initial lessons. It would be wonderful for all teachers if a discussion could form on whether or not you offer any sort of discount for initial lessons, and how you arrived at that policy.
6. Note Their Gender (Maybe)
Honestly, if the teacher is a good teacher, it shouldn’t matter if you study with someone the same gender as you. This is especially true if you’re a beginner. So ultimately, the gender of your teacher is a matter of personal preference. Singing is a highly personal study since it involves our bodies, so some prefer someone of the same gender for this reason. Others may appreciate the viewpoints of another gender or voice type. What it comes down to is, a good teacher is a good teacher, so don’t fret too much about gender.
Bonus: Voice Teachers vs. Voice Coaches
When looking for a voice teacher, many beginner students fall into the “Teacher vs. Coach” trap. Know that there is a difference between a voice teacher and a voice coach. A coach works with you almost exclusively on diction, musical style, and factors pertaining to the music itself. A teacher, however, will work primarily on vocal technique. Most coaches know very little about the technical aspects of singing. Therefore, they are unable to help you develop your singing as a skill. Coaches are a great addition to your musical team, but not if you expect them to teach you how to sing.
What else do you look for in a teacher? What made you decide that your teacher was right for you? If you need help finding a teacher in your area, please feel free to contact me, and I would be happy to help you out!
When you’re looking for a vocal method or a voice teacher, how do you choose the right one? This blog post is edited by Studio Staff from the works of Jeannie Deva.
1. Working Professional
Is your prospective voice teacher a working professional? Are they currently performing either live shows or in the studio? How does their voice sound? If they are retired from live performance, have they at least had a professional singing career and does their voice still sound good?
A professional singer has to demonstrate competence and actually apply the theory of their voice technique to achieve results. This is the most valid test of any subject of study. Can it be applied to get the desired results? If your teacher doesn’t pass this first test, best to keep looking.
2. Vocal Anatomy
The short answer is that a right or correct technique aligns with how the body naturally produces sound. This means you need to have some understanding of vocal anatomy to be sure that you are working with and not against your body. You don’t have to be a scientist to grasp fundamentals of vocal anatomy. It is a matter of defining the terminology. For instance, you need to know that the “larynx” is your voice box which contains your vocal folds (vocal cords) and where exactly it is and how works, etc.
Your voice teacher should be very conversant with vocal anatomy. My Contemporary Vocalist Volume One self-study course contains the essentials of vocal anatomy along with lots of exercises to develop your voice properly.
3. Does it Make Sense?
Your voice teacher should be able to help you understand how the voice works and also why you are doing the exercises and how all of this will improve your singing. It has to make sense to you. Beware the teacher who expects you to accept what they say just because they are the “authority.”
You have to be able to think and develop judgement in the use of your voice. You can’t do that if you can’t understand what you are being taught. You’d think this was rather obvious, but I have found that education in general does not necessarily teach one how to evaluate information to determine its value in actual practice. To achieve judgement you first have to understand what you are being taught and then gain subjective certainty through practical application.
4. Clones or Unique
Do the singers using the vocal method or studying with this teacher all sound like clones or do they have their own unique sound? This one is harder to determine unless you can hear the other singers in performance. An obvious example of this is traditional Opera. All Opera singers sound very similar, but of course this is quite intentional in that genre of music. There is a preconception of “beautiful voice” and Opera technique is designed to achieve that.
While that is fine for Opera, it certainly is not in more contemporary styles of music where a uniquely identifiable vocal sound is not only desirable but often necessary. If all the singers of a particular teacher sound very similar that is a sure sign that the technique is based on a style and not on vocal anatomy basics of how the voice works. It is fine to add style on top of a good vocal method foundation, but not as a substitute for fundamental technique. The Jeannie Deva Vocal Method can be and has been used by every style of singer from Metal to Pop to Jazz and even Opera. A truly good vocal technique should work for any singing.
Hope this helps you in your search for a good vocal teacher or technique.
Learn How to Sing with Private Singing Lessons
from The Music Teachers Network
Improving your singing voice or learning how to sing for the first time can be both exciting and, if your kids are on the shy side, a little bit scary at first! Rest assured there are fantastic voice coaches at The Music Teachers Network that know just how to break the ice to get you or your children warmed up and ready to sing for the whole family. Lessons are offered in-home, in-studio or online, and are available for
beginning through advanced levels.
![How to Find an Inexpensive Voice Teacher]( "How to Find an Inexpensive Voice Teacher")
What Kind of Singing Lessons Should I Be Looking For?
- Home. In-home, private voice lessons attract busy students that prefer the privacy and convenience of a traveling teacher
- Studio. Studio lessons often provide cost savings and work well for those that prefer a structured setting. Do keep in mind that you’ll need a keyboard/piano or music player to practice with between lessons or you may find lessons are not progressing
- Starting Age/Duration. Many students start as kids and teens, then specialize in a specific style of music as their voices mature, although some instructors prefer to wait until the student has a post-pubescent voice to begin lessons. Two siblings often share a 60 minute lesson, each taking 30 minutes. Single children and children over the age of 10 usually take 45 minutes learning to sing each week. It is also common for a student to learn both voice and piano at the same time. Lessons for teens and adults often last 60 minutes to ensure you really get the most of your lessons
- Family Lessons. Many families that take singing lessons together with the same teacher. With kids and adults, family lessons last between 90 minutes and 2 hours a week and provide an excellent way to set aside that extra quality time busy schedules often take away
- Cost. Costs vary widely by region and teacher (often between $25 – $100 per hour). Once you place your request for lessons, pricing and details about the teacher are available for your review. You can often secure discounts for purchasing a package of lessons – so be sure to ask
Improve Your Singing Voice with a Great Instructor from The Music Teachers Network
Not all voice lessons are created equal. We offer a tremendous selection of music instructors and studios that are actively available to teach you and want your business. With us, you can e-chat with them prior to getting started. Those contacting you have paid to do so, and are serious about teaching. Learn more about the vocal coaches or request singing lessons today.
I Found My “Teacher Voice” and Transformed My Classroom
Each week, an educator takes a stand or shares an aha! moment in the classroom in the Education World Voice of Experience column. This week, educator Arnold Pulda reflects on how a bout with cancer precipitated his transition from a “drill sergeant” who barked orders at his students to a quieter, gentler Dr. Pulda. Included: An opportunity to share your most effective classroom management strategies!
Arnold Pulda |
Last spring, I had the chance to mentor a student teacher. The experience worked out well for her — and it was a wonderful opportunity for me. In modeling good teaching strategies and dispensing advice, I got to examine my own principles and practices. One of the bits of advice I did not give her was “Yell at the students.”
During my first years of teaching, I shouted at students fairly regularly. No one advised me to do so; it just seemed like an effective tool for classroom control. I took as my model the Marine drill sergeants depicted in movies. Sometimes, I went nose-to-nose with my student “recruits.” In those days, I equated intimidation with management, silence with consent (and even respect), and acquiescence with learning. To me, a teacher’s voice was a loud voice.
Have you seen these Voice of Experience essays from previous weeks?
I can pinpoint the exact event that precipitated a change in my approach
It was spring of 1999 and I became quite sick. My treatment included chemotherapy, then radiation to my neck and throat. Forget yelling; I could barely talk! I was out of school for several months, while another teacher took over my classes. Near the end of the school year, on a day when I was feeling relatively OK, I stopped by school to talk with my principal. She urged me to go upstairs and speak with my former students. With some misgivings, I did so.
The students greeted me warmly when I walked into the room. I sat among them and let them ask me questions. I replied with squeaks and croaks and hoarse whispers. I had to pause frequently for long seconds as I drank water to lubricate my throat. But I had never heard a classroom so quiet. Never! No student interrupted; no gossip or chatter went on anywhere in the room. The students wanted to hear what I had to say. I learned that I didn’t have to yell in order to be heard.
Today I know that effective classroom management does not require silence. I know that a healthy background buzz among students and the teacher can be indicative of a vital classroom, cooking with lively ideas, serious student engagement, and a reasonable amount of good humor.
Yes, there can be a fine line between productive noise and the off-task chatter every teacher has heard. But in years past, I might have tried to terminate unproductive noise by adding noise of my own. I would shout over the din in order to be heard. That strategy usually succeeded in the short run, but I often observed students looking at each other, rolling their eyes in a way that said, “He’s shouting again; talk to you later.” Management and control accomplished by adding my noise to the students’ really accomplished nothing.
Today, my classroom runs more smoothly. I manage my classroom with a combination of clear expectations and quiet command. I have developed and distributed a short list of behaviors that I expect of students. Among those behaviors are the standard strictures against being tardy or disruptive, and also the requirement that all students get busy with on-task work as soon as they enter my classroom.
There has been one other big change.
I have found my “teacher voice.” I haven’t yelled in two years. I don’t have to yell anymore. When student behavior or talk gets disruptive, I am usually silent; a meaningful look in the students’ direction commands their attention. Often a classmate will urge them to hush.
Today I speak slowly and quietly– and my students hear me better than ever.
Arnold Pulda is a teacher and a liaison for gifted and talented student programs in Worcester, Massachusetts. He has a Ph.D. in U.S. history from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Article by Arnold Pulda
Education World®
Copyright © 2004 Education World
Introducing audio into the classroom is a great way to switch it up and keep students actively involved in learning. In today’s tech savvy classrooms there are a multitude of ways in which you can incorporate audio into the learning process. In this article we’ll give you the 5 Best Free Audio Tools for Teachers and elaborate on how they can be used.
How To Use The 5 Best Free Audio Tools for Teachers
- Vocaroo
About Vocaroo
Vocaroo is a simple and free online program that requires no sign up for users. It is an audio recording app that allows users to record themselves online and save the recording immediately afterwards for use anywhere. Vocaroo is best used for assignments that measure students’ speaking skills or for activities in which audio directions would be more beneficial than written directions.
How to Use Vocaroo
Click the link above to visit Vocaroo’s site. Once there, find the glowing red button with text that reads “Click to record.” Make sure your computer has a microphone built in, or that you have manually attached one, then click the button. Vocaroo will now request your permission to access your microphone, click “Allow.”Vocaroo will now begin recording. Say what you would like to record, and then press the “Click to Stop” button. Now click the “Listen” button. If you are satisfied with your recording, begin reading the next paragraph. If not, click the “Retry” button and repeat the process.Now click the “Click here to save” link. Vocaroo will provide you with a hyperlink to this recording. You can email this recording to yourself or someone else, or share your recording via social media. - UJAM
About UJAM
UJAM is a free online platform that allows users to create their own songs. UJAM is best used in a music classroom or a classroom full of creative thinkers.
How to Use UJAM
Click the link above to visit UJAM’s site. Get started with the program by scrolling to the bottom of the screen and finding the gray button that reads “Sign up and dive in!” Click this button and complete the sign-up process. Check the inbox of the email you provided, find the email from UJAM and click the verification link within to complete activation of your account. Once your account is activated and you are logged in, you can begin creating your own song!Scroll to the top of the screen and click the “Create tab.” Once there, click the UJAM Studio tab and click “Launch UJAM Studio.” You can begin creating a new song by recording vocals or an instrument, uploading an existing audio file, or choosing from a template provided by UJAM. If you choose to record your voice or an instrument, view this tutorial for further instructions: If you choose a template from UJAM to remix, view this tutorial: Work on your song until you are happy with the finished product, then click the “Save & Share” button at the top of the screen to save your work. You can choose to save your work only or share it with the world via Facebook, Soundcloud, UJAM, or a downloaded MP3!
Free Educational Technology
Introducing audio into the classroom is a very effective way to ensure students are staying engaged. Utilize these 5 Best Free Audio Tools for Teachers in order to make the process of implementing audio into your classroom simple, pain-free, and fun for everyone involved.
Introducing audio into the classroom is a great way to switch it up and keep students actively involved in learning. In today’s tech savvy classrooms there are a multitude of ways in which you can incorporate audio into the learning process. In this article we’ll give you the 5 Best Free Audio Tools for Teachers and elaborate on how they can be used.
How To Use The 5 Best Free Audio Tools for Teachers
- Vocaroo
About Vocaroo
Vocaroo is a simple and free online program that requires no sign up for users. It is an audio recording app that allows users to record themselves online and save the recording immediately afterwards for use anywhere. Vocaroo is best used for assignments that measure students’ speaking skills or for activities in which audio directions would be more beneficial than written directions.
How to Use Vocaroo
Click the link above to visit Vocaroo’s site. Once there, find the glowing red button with text that reads “Click to record.” Make sure your computer has a microphone built in, or that you have manually attached one, then click the button. Vocaroo will now request your permission to access your microphone, click “Allow.”Vocaroo will now begin recording. Say what you would like to record, and then press the “Click to Stop” button. Now click the “Listen” button. If you are satisfied with your recording, begin reading the next paragraph. If not, click the “Retry” button and repeat the process.Now click the “Click here to save” link. Vocaroo will provide you with a hyperlink to this recording. You can email this recording to yourself or someone else, or share your recording via social media. - UJAM
About UJAM
UJAM is a free online platform that allows users to create their own songs. UJAM is best used in a music classroom or a classroom full of creative thinkers.
How to Use UJAM
Click the link above to visit UJAM’s site. Get started with the program by scrolling to the bottom of the screen and finding the gray button that reads “Sign up and dive in!” Click this button and complete the sign-up process. Check the inbox of the email you provided, find the email from UJAM and click the verification link within to complete activation of your account. Once your account is activated and you are logged in, you can begin creating your own song!Scroll to the top of the screen and click the “Create tab.” Once there, click the UJAM Studio tab and click “Launch UJAM Studio.” You can begin creating a new song by recording vocals or an instrument, uploading an existing audio file, or choosing from a template provided by UJAM. If you choose to record your voice or an instrument, view this tutorial for further instructions: If you choose a template from UJAM to remix, view this tutorial: Work on your song until you are happy with the finished product, then click the “Save & Share” button at the top of the screen to save your work. You can choose to save your work only or share it with the world via Facebook, Soundcloud, UJAM, or a downloaded MP3!
Free Educational Technology
Introducing audio into the classroom is a very effective way to ensure students are staying engaged. Utilize these 5 Best Free Audio Tools for Teachers in order to make the process of implementing audio into your classroom simple, pain-free, and fun for everyone involved.
By Renee Grant-Williams
Fifteen years ago if you wanted to learn how to sing you had 2 choices, purchase a “how to CD” or work with a vocal coach. But, the internet has changed all that. With YouTube, Vimeo and a variety of other video hosting sites you have a veritable smorgasbord of free vocal lessons available to you.
Free singing online lessons initially sound like a perfectly sane concept. And indeed, they could be just the thing for those singers who don’t have easy access to an urban center teeming with singing coaches. These singers are forced to reach out beyond their home base in order to find good vocal teachers.
On the singer’s side of the equation, we know the price for free singing online lessons is right. Free is free, after all. Voice lessons are expensive and not all aspiring singers are living on a trust fund. So maybe free singing online lessons could be a solution to the problem of finding inexpensive voice training?
Let’s start with the discipline issue. Not everyone is a totally motivated self-starter. Learning in a vacuum via a one-way communication may not be the most realistic approach for many of us. When you have little accountability and no pressure to demonstrate progress, it’s easy to lose focus and commitment. However, you could probably use online singing lessons to good advantage if your obsession with music is sufficient.
There is also the question of which system to use. Concepts of technique and training vary widely (and wildly) from voice teacher to voice teacher. And you can bet there are about as many types of free singing online lessons as there are people to teach them. How do you know which is right for you? Yes, they are free, but you are the one who will be making a personal investment of your time — something many of us value more than money.
As you search for a free singing online vocal guru, find out the following:
What formal musical education they have had
What professional experience they have had
Whether they are used to working with beginners or professionals
If they can describe their philosophy of learning with clarity
If they can point to successful clients they have trained
Whether they have endorsers who are available to speak to you
And from your personal perspective, try to define your level of commitment:
Will you truly make time to give the lessons a chance
How you will avoid simply collecting a mish-mash of conflicting ideas
How you will evaluate your progress
How you will find and build a relationship with a musical mentor
Whether you will actually value and use something that is free
Because I travel a lot, I often find myself in the company of strangers who come to learn through conversation that I do vocal teaching. Inevitably they have questions they want to ask. I used to answer their questions freely. But, you know what? They would invariably argue with me.
So I took a new stance. Now I tell them that I would be happy to answer their question, but that first, could they give me 50 cents? Or a quarter. Or a dollar. Something — anything — that would put me in the professional position of “teacher.” Once money changes hands, people rarely argue with what I have to say.
You will need to evaluate your level of commitment. There are few totally free lunches to be had. Free singing online lessons may be the perfect plan for highly-motivated individuals, but the rest of us should look out for the slippery slope on the down-side. Good learning cries out for a balanced synergy of student and vocal coach.
If you would like to give free online voice lessons a try here’s a link to my own Free Video Voice Lessons. Give them a try and this should help you decide if you can do well learning on your own or if you need to take the plunge and find a vocal teacher to work with.
A voice teacher can make or break your musical theater training. Here are eight vocal coaches (and 2014 Readers’ Choice finalists) who help students reach their performance—and career—goals each and every day!
David Brunetti
This New York–based teacher is known for his Meisner-based Acting Songs technique, which helps actors through vulnerable, honest, and emotionally grounded work. Says Brunetti of his teachings, “There’s nothing more moving than the truth.” Fans of Brunetti should also check out his “Acting Songs” book, which contains detailed descriptions of his process, from finding rhythm and following melody to grounding one’s gestures and focus.
Teri Danz
“America’s vocal coach” lives in L.A. and teaches singers of all levels easy and effective techniques to improve their singing voices, performance techniques, and confidence. Danz specializes in pop technique and vocal producing and has worked with a variety of recording artists, radio personalities, and performers, including comedian Greg Fitzsimmons and actor Taylor Handley.
Anthony Fontana, AMF Studios
This Los Angeles–based voice teacher (and working actor) teaches private voice lessons, piano lessons, and more to performers of all levels. Fontana creates a customized approach for each student, providing personalized and professional training that is individually focused.
Michael Jacobs, Michael Jacobs Vocal Studio
Jacobs teaches a wide variety of New York–based private voice lessons, taking a hybrid approach to vocal (and career) coaching. He pairs technical training with full body work (think yoga and Alexander Technique), breathing exercises, nutrition strategies, Linklater voice training, and more to create a performer who is healthy, happy, and singing at his or her best.
Badiene Magaziner, Badiene Magaziner Vocal Studio
A renowned New York instructor of Broadway performers, recording artists, and Tony Award winners, Magaziner is known for teaching “speech level singing.” The technique was originally developed by Magaziner’s teacher (and mentor) Seth Riggs, and emphasizes a mostly inactive—or “out of the way”—larynx. A former opera singer and Broadway performer herself, Magaziner has a long history of helping singers of all ages discover their own forms of vocal ease.
Steven Memel
L.A.-based Memel’s “The Science of Switching On” method is internationally recognized as a comprehensive approach to confident vocal performance. The technique has been used by top recording artists such as Maroon 5, Sara Bareilles, and more, and claims to “take the chains off your voice and allow you the freedom you’ve always dreamed of.”
Kim Plumridge, MTB Studio
MTB Studio’s Plumridge is known for teaching a variety of classes in New York on subjects ranging from the foundations of acting to ongoing scene study classes, but her Freeing Your Voice with the Feldenkrais Method: Integrating Your Voice, Body, and Spirit course may be the best bet for those seeking vocal guidance. The technique releases physical and emotional tension from the actor’s core, creating a free, easy, and supported vocal instrument.
Sarah Reynolds, Sarah Reynolds Voice Studio
A professional singer herself, Reynolds takes a personalized, accessible, full-body approach to vocal training, coaching private students of all levels in repertoire building, diction, sight reading, and more. Her techniques reach L.A. singers across multiple genres, from rock and pop to opera and musical theater.
Opera singers are known as the true “vocal athletes” in the music world. They must rely entirely on their body to be heard: no microphones allowed. (Unless they’re performing in a stadium, of course)! Operatic singing requires voices that can easily be heard over a full orchestra in very large houses.
Although pop music dominates today’s televised talent shows and the radio, opera is still a celebrated art form that is more accessible than ever. Every year, many young singers begin their studies of opera singing technique in the hopes that they will have a successful career singing the music of composers like Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi.
Have you always wondered what it takes to become an opera singer? Let’s take a look at the five keys to mastering opera singing technique so you can find out how to get started!
How to Master Opera Singing Technique
1. Find the Right Teacher
An opera voice teacher must have a strong knowledge of the “bel canto” technique, which means “beautiful singing” in Italian. Renowned opera singers such as Maria Callas and Jussi Bjorling knew the importance of bel canto and made it a point to study with such teachers often.
When looking for an opera instructor on TakeLessons , you can easily find someone with experience who specializes in bel canto. See if the instructor lists who their teachers were, and what master classes or other programs they have attended. If you’re really serious about opera, you should study with someone who has learned from the experts.
2. Practice Opera Singing Technique Daily
Yes, daily. Opera singing requires more than other genres, and to succeed you must have stamina. There are several helpful resources you can purchase that opera singers use, including the vocal exercise books by Vaccai, Concone, and Sieber. These books are inexpensive and can be used daily to improve your opera singing technique!
It’s important that you spend time perfecting your arias . However, keep in mind that there is such a thing as practicing too much ! While there isn’t a magic number of minutes that every singer should practice, listen to your body. If you feel any sort of fatigue, it’s best to stop for the day so you don’t strain or damage your voice.
Check out the video below for more helpful tips, including some good opera songs for beginners that you can try.
3. Study the Greats
The best opera singers were considered great because there was consistency in their voices, and they knew how to treat them! Watch them closely and you’ll start to notice things, like how they never “push” or put forth way too much effort when they sing.
They also knew what roles were appropriate for them, as they were fully aware of what their voices could and couldn’t do. Dame Joan Sutherland was often approached to sing heavy Wagner repertoire, but she declined knowing it would ruin her voice. She instead stuck with the bel canto repertoire, which showcased her incomparable coloratura skills.
There is a reason why people still talk about artists such as Sutherland and tenor Luciano Pavarotti to this day. Both were absolutely committed to the art of bel canto. They both enjoyed long careers on the opera stage because of their reliable technique.
Here is a YouTube video of them describing some of the basics of bel canto, along with revered mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne.
4. Take Care of Your Instrument
You are the instrument! Unlike a pianist or guitarist, you can’t put your instrument away – it is with you at all times and you must care for it almost obsessively. Opera singers should be sure to have an exercise regimen and a healthy diet.
Many famous opera singers practice yoga as it helps them breathe more effectively. It’s also critical that opera singers get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated at all times. As for your diet, it’s best that singers avoid caffeine and too much dairy, as it can cause acid reflux and excess mucus.
Operas are not known for being short performances. As mentioned previously, you will need lots of physical and mental stamina to sing your role well! Keeping your body and voice in tip top shape is necessary to improve your opera singing technique.
5. Study a Few New Languages
Americanized vowels, such as the diphthongs you hear in country music, are frowned upon when singing opera. This can be one of the biggest challenges singers face when learning opera singing technique, but a good voice teacher will help you master “pretty vowels” (which bel canto is all about)!
The main languages to focus on for opera singing are Italian , French , and German . The more you gain basic knowledge of each language, the more beautiful your vocal lines will be in your arias.
Beginning singers should consider taking classes in as many of these languages as possible. Depending on what happens with your opera career, you might be visiting these European countries and you’ll need to know how to communicate with the locals, too!
So there you have it. If you can master opera singing technique, you can sing anything! Are you ready to get serious? The best place to start is TakeLessons . Find the right classically trained vocal coach for you today!
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