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Voice Lessons

The human voice is the only instrument which is found exclusively in the human body – in the mouth, vocal cords, lungs and diaphragm. It is also probably the oldest instrument, with the possible exception of drums. Singing is an instrumental expression which is very dear to the human heart, because of its association with speaking, which everyone does. Not everyone, however, can sing well. It is no wonder that the most common and consistently present instrument in popular music today is the human voice.

Voice lessons are necessary in order for kids to learn how to sing well. A large part of voice lessons involves training your diaphragm, throat, vocal cords, and mouth to work properly in order to produce a good sound. A singer may be able to sing “on pitch”, but if pitch and volume are controlled too much by restriction of the airway rather than proper breathing and movement of the diaphragm muscles, a “kermit the frog” type voice can easily occur.

Voice lessons will typically involve posture, breathing, and mental exercises to help in achieving a great singing (and speaking) voice. Proper posture is essential because of the muscles used in breathing. If a child naturally slouches; even slightly, this will inhibit their breathing capacity and potential. Proper breathing is essential because breath is the power behind the instrument of the vocal cords. Experienced singers can control their breathing, and have developed such large lung capacity and muscle control that they can sing long lengths of complicated music without stopping for a breath in the middle. Mental exercises help with singing because some voice corrections involve automatic muscle memory – certain habits are hard to develop in a straightforward, simplistic way, so voice lessons will involve a voice teacher instructing the student to “imagine” certain things as they sing.

For instance, in order to relax the throat muscles, students might be asked to imagine they are yawning – this will reflexively relax their throat, and by consistent training muscles can be “retrained” to respond properly when called upon. Students will learn to sing scales as part of a daily warm up, the importance of protecting their voice (not “oversinging”), and other vocal abilities which will round out their overall musical potential.

Ultimately the goal is to help students sing the type of music they love most, however most often voice lessons will begin on a classical footing and go from there – a good classical foundation is very helpful to students wishing to add contemporary, rock, pop, jazz, or any other type of vocal genre to their portfolio. Students involved in drama or theater in school will find voice lessons immensely helpful in learning to project their voice, phrase words properly, and have confidence speaking their lines on stage.

 

To sign up for Voice lessons, either email us ([email protected]), call us (971-227-4222), or use the contact form on our website. We will answer any further questions you have, and based on your address will recommend a teacher in your area. We will have the teacher contact you (usually the same day) and set up a free first lesson. After the free first lesson, if you decide you like the teacher, we will send you your billing information by email.

The Musicality Network is a Portland, Oregon based network of private music teachers, teaching a wide variety of instruments including Piano lessons, Guitar lessons, Drum lessons, Violin lessons, Voice lessons, and more! Our teachers can drive to your house, and we service the entire Portland Metro Area, including Vancouver, Clackamas, Troutdale, Gresham, Tigard, Beaverton, Tualatin, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City and more!