Would You Benefit

from Lessons?

if you are a "tribute" singer and want help then contact me

      Do you like to sing?  Before answering, let me clarify that I am talking about singing in general; for example, singing in the choir, the shower or car, or even in a local pub or bar on karaoke night.  If you answered yes, you'll be pleased to know that singing is a proven positive and healthy pastime.

    Are you surprised by the fact that cutting loose with a song playing over the radio can offer real personal benefits?  Let me explain why!  To begin with, most of us sound better singing along with another voice, even if that voice comes from the radio.  While you are singing, you are also toning your abdominals and diaphragm, boosting your circulation, increasing your oxygen intake and improving your lung capacity.  Singing eases muscle tension and relaxes the body and mind.

    And what about singing in the shower?  Isn't it wonderful how great we sound in the shower, even if we normally don't sing that well?  The reason for this is that the shower acts like a professional sound booth, with the water absorbing the echoes from our voices.  As a result, we can get volume, nice reverberation, and even a little bass in that space.  Furthermore, our singing creates sound frequencies that actually stimulate a pleasure center in our brains.  So, it's no surprise that we hop out of the shower feeling happier and better prepared for the day, no matter how good or bad our singing may have been.

    Singing with other people, as we may do in a choir, also provides a positive boost, stimulates a pleasure center, and has a social benefit.  Research shows that people who sing in groups, like choirs, tend to feel more involved with their communities and more interested in participating in activities that benefit the community as a whole.  So, singing may help you be a better citizen!

 Before seeking voice lessons, consider whether you identify with any of the following sentences:

* I get hoarse after singing for a long time
* I get hoarse after singing loudly
* My voice sounds too operatic
* My voice sounds too pop
* I want a better range
* I frequently get a sore throat or laryngitis
* I run out of breath while singing
* My voice sounds too breathy
* I feel tense when I sing
* I don’t know how to use a mic
* I don’t know how to sing with vibrato
* I don’t know how to sing without vibrato
* I need a better repertoire
* I can’t sing high notes
* I can’t sing low notes
* I can’t sing fast songs
* I don’t think my emotions are coming across when I sing
* I don’t think my style is original
* I don’t know how to interpret a song

If you identify with any of these sentences, lessons will benefit you greatly! To talk about the possibilities, call me at 077897950989(UK Only). You may also email me at ronlomax@singandplay.co.uk or

have a look below to help you decide what sort of teacher you want

Finding a Teacher

in YOUR Area

 
So many people ask me for recommendations for voice teachers in their area. There are many sites where you can find information on tutors in your area

Get Recommendations

One way to find a teacher is to ask around. When you hear great local singers, don't be shy! Ask them if they're studying, and if they'd let you know of their teacher. You can sometimes also get good recommendations from local school teachers involved in music and theatre or opera. If a certain teacher's name comes up more than once, this is a good sign.
 

Pick From A List

There are several places to go online to find a teacher. You can begin by going to The Music Teacher's List or tutor sites . But you'll have to be selective when wading through such lists. Just because a teacher belongs to a certain organization or is on a certain list, doesn't mean they're good.  Also, don't pooh-pooh the telephone directory; many competent and successful teachers advertise. You'll find them listed under "music teachers," "voice," and "singing." in Yellowpages or try Google search for the UK.

And Then...

No matter where you find a teacher, call and ask for references. Then be sure to actually call the students you've been referred to and find out how (and if!) they've improved with the teacher. Also talk to the teacher about what her methodologies are. If you have particular concerns about your voice, be sure to mention them and see what the teacher says. (You're not looking for free information about how to correct problems, just an idea of how they might deal with your personal singing issues.) It's also important that you're personally comfortable with the teacher.

A few teachers even offer a reduced-price first lesson, or will let you "sit in" on another students' lesson. This can be helpful if you already know something about solid singing technique.

I personally like to invite the pupil (and their parents) to an interview session so that they can ask questions and I can get to know the pupil before we start serious work and to help get over the first day nerves.

Once you choose a teacher, assess your lessons frequently. After the first 2months you should notice an improvement. In fact, within a week or two you really ought to be able to feel things are moving in a better direction. (I'm not saying you should have mastered technique, but you should feel, when the technique is applied, that singing is easier and sounding better.) If not, discuss this with the teacher.

Each teacher has their own approach to teaching singing so you may find that after time you are not happy with the content of the lessons. In that case find another teacher, the teacher you have is not going to change their technique because of you!

Ron Lomax