Voice Student Expectations
Voice students will progress when they take regular, weekly lessons, and practice on a daily, or semi-daily basis. Every lesson is recorded onto CD for the student.
Students may opt to record directly to their iPod, Blackberry or similar device.
Students are expected to purchase or download printed music for study.
Suggested/commonly used books:
Great Songs from Musicals for Teens
Teen’s Musical Theater Anthology
Jazz Standards from Broadway
Any piano/vocal book from your favorite musical/band/singer.
Students are expected to find recordings of their songs, to help them practice. Listening is a very important aspect of practice and preparation. Recordings are available from the internet, YouTube, Amazon or itunes and the public library. Accompaniment (karaoke) versions of most songs are also available. Sometimes these versions come with the print music book, or can be downloaded for a nominal fee, generally 99 cents each from Amazon.
Lesson preparation:
Sing. Practice: Use the lesson CD to practice the exercises. Use the lesson CD to learn your song(s): Follow along with your print music. Learn the notes. Learn the rhythms, learn the words.
Singers need to be hydrated and fed before lessons and should consider bringing a water bottle with them. Singing is physical work and the body needs fuel to function properly. Each singer needs to determine how soon after or how long after eating they are able to sing. Keep in mind that caffeine, sugar and milk products adversely affect your singing, so it’s best to avoid these prior to lessons.
Students are expected to bring their books, sheet music, lyric sheets and CD folder with them to each lesson, and it is a good idea to warm the voice a bit before you arrive.
