How to Teach Singing With Lessons

Singers use musical instruments for accompaniment.

Students of singing seek out vocal training with singing and voice instructors. Some students need help preparing for a performance in a musical play or choral presentation. Professional singers maintain their vocal skills by meeting with a singing teacher on a regular basis and practicing at home. Amateur singers and singing hopefuls also take regular singing lessons to develop and maintain their skills. Singing teachers need the appropriate training and educational background in order to organize curricula and challenge their students.

Instructions

1. Educate yourself appropriately if you wish to teach singing via private lessons. Many singing teachers have BAs in music or have graduated from a specialist music college. The Careers and Advice website (listed below) recommends a focus in performance, not theory.

2. Meet with students individually. Determine in what range each student's voice falls; for example, sopranos are women with the highest vocal range, and tenors are men with high voices. Choose 2 or 3 songs for each student to learn; the songs must be in his or her range.

3. Teach the songs by playing piano (or other instrument) and singing the song. Then repeat but have the student sing the song. Practice makes perfect; go through the song a few times during the lesson and instruct the student to practice at home.

4. Record lessons on a tape or CD and give to the student. She will benefit from listening to the tape at home as it will remind her of the correct melody.

5. Teach breathing and relaxation techniques during singing lessons. In order to sing well, your students must breathe with their diaphragms. The diaphragm is a muscle located between the stomach and the lungs. When breathing correctly by using the diaphragm, singers remain relaxed. Their shoulders do not rise and their necks do not become stiff.

   Correct breathing techniques will also allow your singing students to maximize (over time) their air capacity and breath control. A singer who can take in a lot of air and control how quickly she breathes it out is able to sing a long line or note without a break. This is a necessary skill for soloists.

References

• Carees and Advice / Singing Teacher: Qualifications
• Play Music Sing: Breathe With Your Diaphragm