Today, singing and talent competitions dominate reality
television with shows such as The Voice and American Idol. Singing has always
proved a favorite pastime and a visions of stardom hang as a far off dreams in
every recent decade. But the meteoric rise of increasingly younger stars,
Taylor Swift, One Direction, Selena Gomez and Justin Beaver to name a few, as
well as new YouTube sensations like Lennon and Maisy have created a resurgence
in the popularity of singing.
Back in the day I was the queen of a local karaoke club after work at a little bar/restaurant down the street from my job. Me and a bunch of friends would get in there and never stop getting up to the mic. Now, I would never but I love singing as do my kids now. When Dad isn't in the car, we GO FOR IT!
Television dramas such as the hit Glee (I love this show) inspire singing camps and talent shows amongst a younger and
younger group of viewers from high school and junior high through the lowest elementary
grades. Legions of inspired young ones have their parents hiring local vocal coaches
and flocking to recitals in the hopes that one day their star will rise.
So what are some of the perks to
hiring an actual singing coach and aspiring to a trained voice?
Voice As an Instrument
Just like any other instrument,
learning voice and making music can aid in childhood development. It is also a
step in creating an arts education foundation for many youngsters. And among
older children and teens, participating in music through lessons and practice
at home can provide a positive way to fill recreation time. Vocal coach Ruth
Gereson writes that “singing and writing songs kept [her] sane as a child.”
Furthermore, the pursuit of any musical skill like singing can lead kids to
appreciate the process
of practicing and growing their talents through hard work.
Hiring a Vocal Coach
Seeking an actual coach or private
instructor to guide your young star in their vocal development can present some
real benefits. Though almost everyone enjoys singing along with the radio, the
art of vocalizing is a detailed science with many intricacies.
Studying under a trained vocalist
can help your child learn how to protect and strengthen his or her voice rather
than straining it or unwittingly causing other harm. While learning about the
care and growth of their voices, children will also begin to develop an
understanding of rhythm and a basic knowledge of music theory. They can learn
the difference between falsetto and full voice, between belting the melody or
choosing to harmonize instead. All they while, a good coach will hopefully be
instilling confidence in and providing experience for your child.
Questions to Ask
When you begin the hunt for the
perfect vocal coach for your child, make sure to ask some important questions
such as:
•What is your teaching
methodology?
•What are some strengths in my
voice and how can these be further developed?
•What are some weaknesses in my
voice and how can I grow these?
It may also be a wise idea to
research your prospective instructor online and hear their own voice. But do
realize that simply because a coach has a fantastic voice of their own does not
make them a wonderful teacher. Teaching is a special and important gift
different from vocal talent.
Finally, search for a good teacher
with whom your child will feel at ease. Singing involves some funny exercises.
It can also be an area of self-consciousness to sing in front of others and
hear your own voice. A good vocal coach should ultimately be able to provide a
safe place to learn, confidence to learn and positive instruction about how to
grow and improve. With these essentials, your child will be on their way to
gaining a rewarding skill and pursuing dreams.
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from www.nymetroparents.com
It is hard to sing and be sad! Of course you can't choose some depressing song, but a song from Glee gets the blood flowing! I am karaoke material NOT ~ but I sing when I am a car singer, shower singer, etc. I think passing on appreciation of music to kids is so great! Sounds like yours have the bug!
ReplyDeleteThanks for advising us on the questions we should ask a vocal teacher. They really make sense. I love singing and music too. People of all ages can benefit from singing lessons. You should find a kind and understanding teacher for your child. I think this is an equally important selection criterion.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post! This tutorial is fabulous! Lots of great info including, Finding a voice teacher is not an easy task—especially if you live outside a major metropolitan area. Put simply, good Famous Vocal Coaches are few and far between—and finding one that is perfect for you can be a challenge.
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