Choosing a singing teacher for a teenager is partly about skill and partly about trust. You don’t have to be a musician to judge it. These seven questions will help you hear the difference.
1. How do you work with teenagers?
A good answer is specific. The teacher gives examples, talks about adapting to the teenager’s personality, and speaks to your teenager, not only to you.
2. How do you handle a changing voice?
Listen for songs chosen to fit the voice as it is now, no pushing for extreme notes, and cracks treated as normal. A good teacher also explains what’s happening, so your teenager understands it. Our article on singing lessons during voice change explains what to look for.
3. How do you choose songs?
The best answer mixes songs your teenager loves with ones that suit their voice. A teacher who uses only a fixed syllabus may not keep a teenager interested.
4. What will we work on first, and how will I know it’s working?
Expect a plan in plain language and a way to check progress after a few lessons. Be wary of promises about exact results, because progress varies. For more, see How Long Before a Teen Sees Singing Progress?
5. Can I sit in?
Our answer is yes. Parents are welcome at Vocalogy. Whatever the format, you should be able to be in the room or nearby, and a teacher who is relaxed about that usually has nothing to hide.
6. What are your fees, cancellation and payment terms?
You want clear answers, in writing, before you commit. Ours are on our terms and conditions page, and the fees are on our 1:1 coaching page. For a breakdown, see Teen Singing Lessons in Singapore: What They Cost.
7. What happens if my teenager’s voice is hoarse or sore?
A good teacher stops, doesn’t push through, and suggests a doctor. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne says to see your GP if a child’s hoarse voice is getting worse or not getting better, or if you’re concerned for any reason. If you’re unsure whether you need a voice coach or a speech therapist, this guide will help.
Red flags
- Promises of exact results or a fixed timeline.
- Pushing very high or very low notes in the first lessons.
- Comments about the voice that make a teenager feel ashamed.
- Vague answers about fees or reluctance to put terms in writing.
- Reluctance to let you watch.
The bottom line
Good teachers are happy to answer these questions, and your teenager’s reaction after the first lesson tells you a lot. Choose the teacher who explains clearly, listens, and doesn’t promise more than a lesson can deliver.
You’re welcome to ask us all seven. Tell us your teenager’s age, whether they’ve sung before, and what they’d like to work on using our enquiry form, or message us on WhatsApp.
Source: Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, linked above.