♫  VOCAL FAQ'S ♫

Patti Barrow

Voice Teacher and Vocal Coach

Q - Is there a difference between "singing lessons" and "voice lessons"?

A - Not really, it's just semantics. People who teach singing will advertise "voice lessons". It is important, however, to know if the "voice teacher" will help you as a Vocal Technician or a Vocal Coach, and their qualifications in each area. More on this below.

Q - How can I tell if my child needs voice lessons?

A - If your child sings all the time, that is a great indication! For younger kids (children to tweens), it is important to get him/her with a voice teacher who will make it gentle and fun, use a combination of pure singing and easy fun songs so they develop good habits and stay interested. After puberty is the best time to introduce more structural vocal technique. At this age, they will have the body composition and the hormones to support their vocal training. Any professional performing child should have a voice teacher (not just a vocal coach) to keep them from damaging their voices.

Q - I want to sound better but not lose my style.  Can voice lessons help?

A - Yes!  When you interview a voice teacher, try to find one that will diagnose your basic issues in how you produce your sound without passing judgment on your style. A trained teacher, even one who sings a different genre from you, should develop you in a way that is appropriate for your voice type and applicable to your style.

Ideally, you want an individualized program that loosens you up, aids you in vocal flexibility, builds up your range and adds new "colors and characters" to your sound. For instance, if your primary wheelhouse is singing slow dramatic ballads, you will want to add lighter contrasting tones to your emotional vocal toolbox. Singing lessons will stretch your vocal range, build breath control and enable you to add many varied songs to your performance repertoire.

Most good voice teachers will have had classical training in their background. It doesn't mean you have to sound that way yourself! To get the most from our instrument, it's important to understand what we are doing right and how to do it consistently.

Q - "Vocal Coaches vs Voice Teachers",  is there a difference?

A - Yes! Vocal Technicians (or Voice teachers) are those who have studied voice to the point of easily identifying vocal faults and who are able to help solve structural and vocal problems that arise while you sing. Through advanced education and formal study, voice technicians not only have the physiological understanding of the vocal mechanisms, body form and structure, etc., but they also understand how performance psychology fits into the singers' ability and limitations. Voice teachers, through their trained ears, should be able to identify vocal injury or illness, know appropriate rehabilitative measures and provide appropriate referrals when necessary. Not all "voice teachers" have this training, so be sure to ask. (Yes, I do !)

Vocal Coaches are very beneficial to the established singer!  They are often current or past performers who themselves perform(ed) in the style you wish to sing. Though they have limited understanding of vocal technique, they do know which sounds, vocal effects, and influences are best for that particular style and where to place them. Vocal Coaches are best used by singers who are already successful in their chosen genre and only want to step up their game (i.e. "The Voice").  Vocal coaches are also used for short-term coaching in preparation for upcoming auditions and performances. During a coaching session, a "Vocal Coach" will focus on the stylization and delivery of the song.  A trained "Voice Teacher" can also be a vocal coach in their areas of expertise.

I am a Vocal Technician (voice teacher) who also offers Vocal Coaching.