First singing classes: what to expect

At your first singing classes you will work more at the base than songs: breathing, posture, support, warming and recognizing your record. The teacher hears how you use your voice today and challenges a plan for you to sing with more freedom, more tuning and without forcing.

And no, you don't have to "have a good voice" to start with. The voice's training as an instrument, and every person's starting point is simply that: a starting point.

To sum up

The first classes are focused on breathing, posture, support and warming and the songs come soon but on that basis.
The teacher identifies your record, that's to say, the notes that your voice feels comfortable about, to choose songs and tones that suit you.
Singing should not hurt: Roast, pain or vocal tiredness that do not leave are signs to stop and consult with a specialist.
Drying you throughout the day, resting and warming before singing are basic vocal care habits.
The tuning and tightness are training: "I have no good voice" is a starting point, but not a diagnosis.

What's the first class of singing about?

The first class isn't an exam or an audition. It's an encounter so that the teacher knows your voice, your tastes and your goals. It usually includes:

A conversation: what music you like, if you have been singing before, what you want to achieve and if you have had an issue with your voice.
Simple listening and tuning exercises, such as repeating short notes or phrases.
A first scouting of your record, up and down with softness.
Initial breathing and posture exercises.
If there's time, a fragment of a song that you choose.

It's normal to feel nerves or pity while singing in front of someone. A good faith knows and creates an environment in which you can get wrong without problem.

Respiration and support: the basis for everything

To sing, it's not about taking a great deal of air but about how to manage it well. At the same time, we have to have a high level of breathing: at inhaling, the ribs expand to the sides and the abdomen relax without raising their shoulders.

The Support That's how to hold and dose that air while you're singing, so that the sound's stable without squeezing his throat. A classic exercise: shattering and releasing the air into a long and united "s," trying to keep it from breaking up.

Postura

Fears supported, separated at the width of his hip and his knees unlocked.
Long column with no rigidity.
Fitted shoulder and free neck.
Loose mantibular and tipped head, without stretching the chin up onto sharp notes.

Vowel Warm: why don't you have to leap

The vocal cords are muscle and mucosa, and as with any part of the body that will work, they surrender better and care more if they are prepared. A short warming may include:

Gently pull neck, shoulders and jaw.
A slow and conscious breathing.
Vibration of lips, as a sustained "brrrr," up and down with tone.
Stretch with his mouth closed, feeling his face vibration.
Soft sirens, slipping from grave to sharp and back.
A short scale with different vowels.

If you practice at home, this warming fits into our first block [20 minutes practice routine]](/blog/como-practicar-musica-en-casa).

Your registration: figure out where your voice sings

The registration or extension is the set of notes that your voice can produce, and tiesitura is the area where she sings comfortable and with good sound. Realizing her helps to choose songs and to adjust the tone to suit you.

Over time, teacher can orient you about your type of voice, as soprano, mezosoprano or contralto, tenor, baritone or low. No need to put a label into the first class: the voice goes reveal with work.

Also you will hear about a voice of his chest, a voice of his head and a mixed voice. Many people feel a "breakage" in the passing area between them. It's completely normal and it's one of the things that most work in class.

Vowel care: habits that protect your voice

Warm up throughout the day, not just before you have been singing.
Sleep well and give your voice some rest after intense use.
Avoid shouting, carpeting with force or talking a lot about noise.
Warm up before singing and don't make notes that aren't comfortable with you yet.
Avoid smoking and note that alcohol holds back.

Myths that Fretch Many Beginner

"I have no good voice."

The voice that you have today is that of someone who has been untrained. With technique they change control, tuning, resonance and security. All voices have something to offer.

"If I lose his mind, I have no good to sing."

In most cases, intertuning is a lack of practice in coordinating what you hear with what your voice production. That's training with ear and patience exercises.

"To have a good song is to have a strong and sharp song."

To sing well is to sing with control, expression and without tension. A smooth and tuned passage can be far more difficult and exciting than an acute note shamed.

"A hot drink with honey sets me up with his voice."

What you drink doesn't directly touch vocal cords: it goes through the esophagus. A tibia drink can be pleasant but what really helps is sustained hydration during the day and good warming.

"I'm old enough to get started."

Many people start singing about adults and enjoy the process. To have clear why you want to sing, be it for pleasure, for a choir or for family singing, is a great advantage.

How to get ready for your first class

Choose two or three songs that you like and have their handwriting.
Wear water and comfortable clothing that doesn't tighten his waist.
Avoid coming with a tiring voice after shouting or talking a lot.
Think about what you're trying to achieve, even if it's something simple as singing with no nerves at a meeting.
If the class is virtual, deactivates noise suppression from the video phone call and we'll tell you how [to prepare your space for virtual classes]](/blog/clases-de-musica-a-domicilio-o-virtuales).

In A medio tono Can you find teachers from I'm singing for virtual or home class in and around Bogotá. Check his profiles at Teachers directory and choose what best suits your style and your goals.

Frequently asked questions

How old can you have singing classes?

A more structured vocal technique usually starts at about 8 to 10 years old, with an exercise adapted to a voice that's still under development. During the moda of voice in adolescence, we have to continue singing with care and without forcing.

How long does it take to notice the advance in singing?

There's no time frame: it's up to your starting point and practice. The usual thing to note first changes in comfort while singing and air monitoring and then in tuning and extension.

Do I have to read scores to have singing classes?

No. You can start with listening and with letters. Learning some reading and theory with time helps you to learn songs faster and better communicate with other musicians.

Do virtual singing classes work?

That's right. That's about the disciplines that best suit the virtual class. What's important is to have a stable connection, a decent mic and an audio from a video phone set up for music.

First singing classes: what to expect and how to prepare you