| Answer: Questions to ask when looking for a suitable Singing Teacher
We often get requests for the types of questions to ask both yourself and a potential teacher when looking for someone suitable to train your voice so here goes!
There is an article on finding teachers here in the FAQ
Essentially what counts in a teacher are the following:
Does the teacher have a qualification with a certificate (most will have
these displayed on their studio wall and their qualification can be checked
with the school, university or accrediting authority for verification). Most
teachers with qualifications state them on their listing at the Singing Teachers Worldwide Directory along with their related experience in the field.
A good teacher does not require a qualification however! There are both good
and bad teachers, some are qualified, some are not. Those without
qualifications should have a background in performance i.e., they will have
appeared on stage or have a wealth of experience in the field of their
choice (opera, pop, musical theatre) with some form of accreditation or
checkable background i.e., CD recordings, signed to labels, list of shows
they have appeared in.
Of course there are good teachers who do not perform just as there are bad
ones who do so there are no easy answers!
The difference between a good teacher and a bad one is the ability to teach
healthy techniques and communicate them well to their clients. He/She should
have a good understanding of the vocal mechanism and be able to answer any
queries the student has regarding the exercises and techniques they are
asked to do. A good teacher should have no problems with providing you with
references for previous or existing students and you will find the Singing
Teachers Worldwide Directory includes reviews that are submitted by the teachers students.
It is not always an easy process because part of the teaching process is
dependent on the character of both the teacher and the student. Whilst the
teacher may well be perfectly competent and eminantly qualified, if the two
personalities clash then no matter how good the teacher is, the student will
fail to learn! The same applies for the student... who must be prepared to
take criticism in the manner in which it is given and work on improving at
home as well as in the lesson.
Ideally, it would be preferable to search for a selection of suitable
teachers and go for an evaluation lesson so that you can choose which one you feel comfortable with. Alternatively, considered trying one of the many group workshops, masterclasses or classes that are often cheaper and allow you to see how you get on.
Regarding value for money.. this is a relative thing and prices can vary
considerably. The most expensive is not always the best but a busy
reasonably priced teacher must be pretty good to have a studio that is
constantly booked and with students that are progressing.
So... the main questions to ask:
1. Do you have any teaching qualifications that are checkable.
2. Can you provide references from satisfied clients
3. Do you have actual stage or recording experience
4. Do you provide evaluation lessons and/or allow potential clients to watch
a lesson/class prior to paying for a full lesson.
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