For many singers, booking the first lesson is the hardest part.
You might worry that you’ll be judged or that you’ll have to sing alone in front of a stranger. You might worry that you’ll be asked to explain why you feel the way you do. Some people put off booking for years because of it.
If that sounds like you, this article explains what a first session at Vocalogy is like, so you know what to expect before you walk in.
Feeling anxious about a singing lesson is common
Singing is personal. Your voice comes from your body, and people can hear in it how you feel. So when you sing in front of someone new, it’s natural to feel exposed.
Many of the singers we work with felt nervous before their first lesson. Some sing well in the shower or the car, but their voice tightens or shakes as soon as someone is listening. Others haven’t sung in front of anyone for years.
None of this means you aren’t ready for lessons. It’s often the reason lessons help.
What happens in your first session
We start with a conversation
We begin by talking about your voice: what you’d like to do with it, what happens when you sing, and when it feels easy or hard. This conversation is about your voice and your goals, not your life story.
You sing when you’re ready
There’s no audition and no test. When you’re ready, you’ll sing something short. It can be a song you know, a simple exercise, or just a few notes. You choose.
We notice what happens
While you sing, I’ll listen and watch how your body, breath and voice work together. This is the first step in our approach: Recognition. Before we change anything, we notice what’s actually happening.
You leave with something to try
By the end of the session, you’ll understand a little more about your voice, and you’ll have one or two simple things to practise at home.
What you won’t be asked to do
- Perform for anyone. It’s just you and me.
- Explain why you feel anxious. You can share as much or as little as you like.
- Sing loudly or hit high notes before you’re comfortable.
- Sing a song you don’t want to sing.
How you stay in control
You can pause at any time. You can say no to an exercise. Stop and talk instead of singing if that’s what you need. A good lesson works at your pace, not the teacher’s.
Why we work with the body, not the backstory
Some singers want to talk about what’s behind their nerves. Many would rather not, and that’s fine.
Our approach works through the body. When you feel anxious, your body responds: your breath stops, your shoulders rise, and your throat tightens. These changes reach your voice quickly. By working with posture, breath and simple self-help, you can change how your voice responds without having to explain why it happens.
Jin Shin Voice®, an approach I developed, includes Jin Shin Jyutsu® self-help you can use anytime, anywhere. You simply hold a finger. There’s no need to focus on your breath or your body. Holding the finger is what matters.
NeuroVoice®, another of our approaches, primes the brain for optimal functioning and coordination, before singing.
When a singing lesson isn’t the right place
Singing lessons are voice training, not therapy. If anxiety is affecting your daily life, sleep or relationships, a counsellor or psychologist is the right person to see. Many singers work with both. Our article, Working on Your Voice Alongside Therapy, explains how that can work.
Questions people ask before booking
Do I need to be a good singer?
No. Lessons are for every level, including people who haven’t sung in years.
What if my voice shakes or cracks?
That’s useful information, not a failure. It shows us what to work on.
What if I get emotional?
That can happen when you sing, and it’s okay. We can pause for as long as you need.
Can I bring a song?
Yes. If you don’t have one, we’ll find something simple together.
Your next step
Your first session is 60 minutes, and it’s a chance to see whether this way of working suits you, with no commitment to continue.
If you’d rather start on your own first, my book Harmony Is in Your Hands introduces the SING Check and self-help you can try at home. Get the PDF for S$4.99