Taking lessons is a wonderful opportunity to face some unique challenges
–Liz Jackson Hearns
Anytime you take on a new hobby or learn a new skill there is a bit of a learning curve. I think this is especially challenging for adult learners, because we’re so good at everything else in our life—driving, balancing a budget, making a frozen pizza—that we expect new skills to come easily. This is not always the case, but you’re not alone! Here are some common struggles that come with starting to sing:
- Finding a great teacher and signing up for lessons. Especially in a large urban area like Chicago, finding a great teacher can be a huge challenge. Social sites like Yelp and Facebook can give you good information through reviews and recommendations from peers. Referrals are, I think, the best way to find the right teacher. If your friends or colleagues have found a teacher they love, you will probably enjoy their lessons as well. Pricing and scheduling can vary widely from one voice studio to the next as well, but it is my opinion that you always get what you pay for, so be picky and don’t give up. You will find a teacher who can give you the learning experience you’re looking for.
- That first lesson. What a nerve-wracking experience! Singing solo for a stranger for the first time can be super scary—or it can be super awesome, and that’s always the goal of an excellent voice teacher. Your teacher wants you to feel comfortable and engaged so that the two of you can get a clear understanding of your vocal instrument and what your goals are. By the end of the first lesson, you should feel like you’re on top of the world and excited for the next one.
- Technical jargon. What terms do you already know? Do they mean what you think they mean? Do you know what chest voice and head voice are? Do you know where your diaphragm is and what it does? These are great ways to start conversing with your teacher about your technique. Ask as many questions as possible and get all the good information. A well-educated teacher will know exactly how to explain the technical stuff in a way that makes sense and is immediately applicable.
- Practicing. You’ve decided to take on this new hobby, and it requires that you spend time outside of your lesson working on your new skills. Everyone has a different level of commitment to practice, but you will always get more benefit from making time to practice regularly. Your teacher will have recommendations as to how much you should practice and what to focus on when you do. If you need a place to practice, there are several places to rent practice rooms by the hour throughout Chicago, including Jackson Voice Lab.
- Sticking to it. You will experience your voice in a whole new way once you start lessons, and as you get better you will find new things to improve and work at. Sometimes this can be discouraging, but all it means is that you are gaining a more complete understanding of your vocal instrument and what you want from it. How exciting! If you feel like you’re not progressing in the ways you want to, talk to your teacher. A good teacher is always eager to help you identify and achieve your goals for singing. Whether that means you nail your audition for The Voice or you just hit that G without cracking, your goals are valid and worth working toward.
Starting voice lessons can bring you extra joy and a sense of accomplishment every week after your lessons. There are some challenges as you begin the process, but it will be worth it to finally follow your dreams of learning to sing.
