Since lessons with a good teacher are expensive—reaching fees into the hundreds per hour—it’s in the best interest of your investment to get the most you can from each lesson. It’s your precious time and money we’re talking about, so let me offer some tips to maximize the time you spend with your teacher and to help you at home.
Practice
This may sound obvious but I’m honestly embarrassed by the times my mother paid good, hard cash for one of my lessons that I had prepared for by cramming in a rehearsal 30 minutes before I met with my teacher. Eventually (with some help and reminders from my mother) I learned from my mistakes and hopefully you can too. Be prepared and practice! The main reason is that you don’t just have to learn to sing during practice, you also have to work to improve specific aspects of your vocal technique. A well-planned and executed practice session may consist of many different parts, including getting mentally focused, physically warmed up, breathing exercises, vocalises, listening to yourself, , score study, theory, and more. You can’t accomplish much if you skip five days and then try to cram it all into a once-a-week marathon practice session. (That kind of concentrated intensity can also damage your voice because you have not built up the physical endurance through daily vocalization.)
Keep a Notebook
It’s a good idea to keep a notebook and back copies of your practice checklists. Make notes of what your teacher says as she will say more things than you can possibly remember. List assignments, and jot down special problem areas in your music. Keep all your sheet music with your notebook as well.
Use a Recording Device
This can be as simple as your phone, a cassette recorder, or a video camera. You can use during practice to remind you of things you may have forgotten or did not get a chance to write in your notes. Additionally, you may want your teacher or accompanist to record exercises or accompaniments for your to practice with during the week.
Put It All In a Bag
The idea is to keep it all in once place and to have it with you at every lesson. I have a bag for just about every activity in my life: singing, gardening, cooking, graphic design, painting, craft/sewing, gym, and more. It’s just easier to grab the ones I need each day and throw them in the car. Having everything in one place will really make a difference in the effectiveness of your voice lessons and home study.
Good luck and make the best of it!
What other tips do you have for getting the most from your voice lesson?