Navigating the Harsh Reality of Vocal Coaching: Should You Stick or Switch?
Deciding whether to find a new vocal coach or stick with your current one is a decision that requires careful consideration. Several factors come into play, each offering insight into the potential benefits and drawbacks of both options. Here, we delve into these aspects to help you make an informed choice.
1. Progress and Goals
Evaluate Your Progress: Have you made significant advancements with your current coach? If you feel stagnant or unchallenged, exploring other options might be beneficial. Assess whether your current coach understands and supports your vocal goals, such as genre focus, performance skills, and technique.
2. Teaching Style
Compatibility: Do you feel comfortable and motivated by your current coach’s teaching style? A mismatch in communication or approach can hinder your progress. Consider whether the feedback you receive is constructive and helpful for your growth.
3. Experience and Expertise
Qualifications: Assess your coach’s experience in the specific areas you want to improve. If they lack experience in your desired genre or technique, finding someone else might be beneficial.
4. Logistics
Location and Schedule: Is your current coach conveniently located and do they have a schedule that works for you? Challenging logistics might make it worth looking for someone closer or more flexible.
5. Personal Connection
Trust and Rapport: A strong personal connection can enhance your learning experience. If you don’t feel a good rapport with your coach, it might be time to search for a new one.
Consider taking a trial lesson with another vocal coach. This can give you insight into different teaching styles and help you compare.
Conclusion
Reflect on These Factors: Weigh the pros and cons of your current situation. If a change could lead to better growth and satisfaction, it may be time to explore new options. If you’re making progress and feel supported, staying with your current coach might be the best choice.
A Real-World Scenario: What If There Has Been No Instruction?
If you've been with your coach for two months and there has been no instruction on breathing, vocal technique, or music theory, something is seriously off. A voice teacher should be working on these fundamental elements from the beginning, as they are foundational for healthy, correct singing. The longer a coach waits to correct you, the harder it will be for you to learn the correct way to sing.
After two months, you should be improving. You won’t be a master, but you should see some improvement over your starting point. If not, it’s past time to talk to your coach.
Talk to Your Coach: At your next lesson, tell them that you don't sense any improvement and that you would like to learn more about technique. Share your expectations clearly.
This gives them a chance to explain: They might have a reason for not starting with these elements right away. If their answer sounds reasonable, ask when they plan to start teaching these fundamental aspects. If they don’t have a valid reason to wait, it's a red flag worth investigating.
Understanding the Basics of Vocal Technique
Voice Teachers Should Cover: All genres of music rely on basic breath control, tone production, maximizing resonance, reducing stress in the throat, jaw, and mouth, and tongue agility. These elements are crucial for singing and vocal health.
Proper breath control and support, along with vocal exercises, help develop and maintain your vocal skills. Your coach should be monitoring and addressing the following elements:
Relaxing the Jaw: Ensure your mouth has enough space for tone production. Avoiding Throat Squeezing: Ensure the tone isn't squeezed out of your throat. Relaxing the Tongue: Keep it flat instead of arching up in your mouth. Lowering the Larynx: Reduce stress on it. Breath Support: Use breath instead of anything else to support your tone. Tension and Pain: Monitor for any tension or pain, as these can be harmful to your voice.They should also be diagnosing problems and helping you correct them. If you're not seeing any of this, your coach either isn’t equipped to teach these essential aspects or isn’t paying attention, which is not conducive to your development.
What to Do Next
If your coach fails to address these fundamentals, it’s a sign that they may not be qualified to teach voice. Leverage the following tips to find a better fit:
Trial Lessons: Take a trial lesson with another vocal coach to compare teaching styles. Research: Utilize guides and resources to find a coach that fits your needs. Listen to Feedback: Pay attention to your coach’s feedback and how they address your issues.Shifting to a new coach can offer new insights and a fresh approach that can significantly boost your vocal training journey.