What is the difference between voice teachers, singing teachers, vocal coaches and voice teachers and which one is right for you?

Author: http://www.voice-lessons-nyc.com

There are lots of voice teachers, singing teachers, vocal coaches and voice coaches in NYC - how do you know which one to choose? First, let’s examine what these terms mean and the difference between them.
The term voice teacher is synonymous with the term singing teacher. It is someone who focuses on proper technique and application of it to the repertoire. Voice teachers work with students on specific vocal needs: pitch control, eliminating nasality, extending vocal range, building the voice, using breath support, engaging vocal resonances and applying the technique to styles. Some singing teachers will teach you how to prevent and correct a vocal injury, and more.
The term vocal coach is synonymous with the term voice coach. They often may be a pianist, music producer, conductor, or others in the music field, and have experience with musical performances in their respective genres. A vocal coach might assist with such matters as pronunciation, musical phrasing, performance practice, as well as assisting the singer to “own” the song. They will make cuts and arrangements tailored to each individual student’s strengths. A voice coach wouldn’t interfere with vocal technique. If there are any problem areas, a voice coach will explain to the singer what the issues are and advise the singer to discuss it with the voice teacher.
It’s important to note that while these definitions are very general, there is a blurred line between them. These terms have been confused by the profession at large. Some teachers are voice teachers but call themselves vocal coaches, and some voice coaches may call themselves singing teachers. Some teachers, such as myself, do both - train on technique and work on all aspects of performance. I generally refer to myself as a voice teacher simply because adding titles such singing teacher, vocal coach and voice coach is confusing to the reader.
So if you want to become a professional singer, who do you choose? My advice is this - first learn the most effective vocal technique and perfect your diction. Then work on your phrasing, performance, voice building, etc. Ideally, you want to find someone who is both a singing teacher and a vocal coach. Someone who knows all there is to know about singing will be able to do both. If you are working with two people, you will wind up going back and forth and losing time. As far as selecting the best instructor, my advice is that if you don’t hear an immediate improvement in every singing lesson then you should move on. As a professional singer myself, I learned all the major and minor vocal techniques. I can assure you that when a mistake in technique is fixed on a specific song there will be an immediate improvement and often, it will be a major one. On the other hand, strengthening of the overall voice with exercises will take some time to take full effect. However, you should hear some positive difference promptly after completing the exercises.
In the first three months of training with a great voice teacher, singing teacher, vocal coach or voice coach, you should hear a very noticeable improvement. In contrast, if you’ve spent three months studying with an instructor and you are not blown away by your own improvement, then it’s definitely time to move on. Don’t believe those instructors who will tell you that it takes many years to hear a significant improvement. It does not. Effective singing lessons work fast. There are a lot of voice teachers and vocal coaches in NYC, don’t waste your time.

Can anyone learn how to sing professionally? And how long would it take?

http://www.voice-lessons-nyc.com/

If you grew up with the notion that one must be born with a vocal talent in order to sing well - there is good news. That is simply not the case. There is a singing science which dictates what a great singer must do in order to sing beautifully. This science can enable anyone with a speaking voice, who is not tone deaf to sing beautifully. "Natural singers" gravitate towards some elements of this science naturally while others need to be taught. This vocal science was used by the greatest voices in history. It allows one to develop a beautiful vocal tone, precise pitch control, a big strong voice, ability to belt out high notes, develop vibrato, highlight, color and more.

Only one in 10,000 people are tone deaf. As long as you are not tone deaf and you have a speaking voice, you can learn how to sing on a professional level. My students can go from beginners to professionals in twelve to eighteen months, in most cases.

As a voice teacher in New York City, I recognize my responsibility to give my students the skills needed to excel whether it is at an audition for their dream singing job or singing at a karaoke bar. There is no such a thing as "no vocal talent.” The secret to having a great voice lies in the vocal technique. Anyone can learn how to sing on a professional level.

When students come to me for voice lessons, I always tell them that there is no limit to what they can accomplish vocally when using an effective vocal technique. In a typical private voice lesson, I coach my students on how to sing specific songs of their choice. Normally, my students hear noticeable improvement in the voice on particular songsin every lessons. Students bring printed lyrics to their private lessons and I go over every problem area until the student is in tune and is singing with a beautiful and unique vocal tone. Some of the basics that I teach my students are: how to use breath support, how to control pitch, how to belt out high notes, how to strengthen weak areas of the voice, how to sing with a vibrato, how to develop highlight and color in the voice, and more.

The problem with taking voice lessons is that it's a Catch-22. You do know what a great vocal technique is until you know what it is. Some voice students get caught up in taking ineffective voice lessons for years with marginal or no improvement. There are many vocal techniques out there. Some techniques will give you marginal improvement, some will make you worse, some will keep you the same and there is one that can transform a “non-singer” into a professional. For example, I have 4 year old students who can sing on a professional level for their age group after only 6 - 9 months of singing lessons. In contrast, I had a student who took 30 years of voice lessons, studying with various teachers and techniques other than what I teach, who could not sing a basic melody in tune. This student's issue was not the lack of talent, but rather poor choices as to which technique to learn and with whom.

I am a voice coach to professional singers or singers training to become such. Some of my students came to me as beginners and were not able to carry a basis melody. I teach all levels, all genres, all ages. However, I don't accept everyone as a student. One of the requirements that I have is that students practice at home. Even 30 minutes of effective practice every day will give you noticeable improvement after about 5 -7 days on a specific song.

While in private singing lessons I work on a singer’s individual issues. In the weekly group voice classes my students sing exercises that improve overall quality of the voice. There, students learn how to activate vocal resonances, which make one’s voice beautiful, unique, rich, full and enables one to belt out high notes. In addition, the exercises performed develop highlight and color in the voice. The students preform exercises for the first 45 - 50 mins of the group voice class. After that, students who wish to perform can sing one minute of any song for other students.