Vocal coaching

[fudge97]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone could give me the benefit of their experience please? My dd has been going to a musical theatre singing class since September. They learn lots of great songs from musicals etc but don't do any voice training as such. She sings well but I think she could definitely benefit from learning a bit of technique. Was just thinking that instead of booking her into a summer school I could maybe arrange a block of ten sessions or so with a vocal coach. Would this help her or does it have to be an ongoing thing to be worthwhile (I can't really afford regular private lessons on top of the theatre school fees)?

Thanks in advance

[Coco]

How old is your dd Fudge ?

[fudge97]

She is 9. I have found a vocal coach locally who says she works with children aged 5+.

[Welsh Mum]

I would say that technique is important, though she is still young, but my DD started at 10. As long as the lessons are a good mix of learning new repertoire and technique (so she doesn't get bored!) it would be fine. early training helps to stop bad habits forming (which many people with excellent voices develop). People sometimes make the mistake of think that MT does not need as much technique as classical, but that's not true. They just learn some different techniques. Are the classes one-to-one? They are the ones that work imo.

[Tashy Bear]

For my DD one-to-one sessions with a vocal coach have been invaluable, not only regarding the teaching of specific techniques but also on the very important issue of vocal health. DD adores MT but because she has the time and space during a one-to-one lesson she is encouraged to sing from a vast range of musical genre, which I feel has not only shown itself as improvement but also in her confidence to try something new.

[fudge97]

Thank you both for your help. I think it sounds like it would be worthwhile pursuing the idea then (the lessons would be one-to-one).

[francescasmum]

My DD has just started vocal coaching/ singing lessons and even though she has only had two lessons so far, we can see (and hear) a vast difference, her voice already sounds more pure, her confidence has shot up too. She has always been confident at singer in a choir but just yesterday she came home from school telling me she will be singing 'Wishing you were some how here again' from Phantom (solo) at a concert in just two weeks (one vocal lesson away!) GULP.

[Templeton]

My middle daughter, now 13 has always had a very powerful, mature voice for her age. Had only sung at Stagecoach but someone suggested that she took singing lessons with a classical teacher so that she could develop a wider range and also, more importantly. learn to protect her voice (ie, not 'chesting' all the time).

[fudge97]

It sounds like it would definitely be worthwhile then and DD is keen so I think we will go ahead and book some during the summer. Will be quite exciting. Good luck to your DD francescasmum in her concert, great that you have noticed such a difference already!

Thanks everyone x

[mummydiva]

I hope the coaching goes well. Take things slowly and she will be fine. Remember that you only have one voice and it needs to be treated with care but in the right hands it will flourish and go from strength to strength.

[fudge97]

Thanks mummydiva

[marisekins]

Hi,I started to look at singing lessons for my daughter who performs musical theatre regularly.
The music director said that its best to wait until voice has been allowed to mature and feels its
best to wait until early teens.

[Welsh Mum]

Any good singing teacher will accomodate the developing voice. This is true of boys as well as girls. There is no problem with leaving it later except as already said bad habits can develop, esp true in MT when belt is often required. But as Isaid, singing teachers who have been properly trained will be only too aware about young voices and how to treat them!This is salso important where the youngster is singing in productions etc, MD might ask them to sing something their voice is not ready for (even if they can if you se what i mean).