If you're looking at this article you or someone you know is probably interested in singing lessons and has perhaps even started looking for a teacher. The process of finding the right teacher for you isn't too hard, but if you don't know what to look for you might try one bad teacher and give up. You need to find a teacher that teaches the way you learn. Here's how to find that voice teacher.
Decide if you want online or in-person lessons. If you're not certain, or don't care, I have created a guide already on how to pick! Check here to read that post. If you can't be bothered to read that post, I suggest you try online first.
Try some free trials. Many, but not all, teachers are willing to do a free trial lesson. If you do a quick google search you'll see dozens of teachers, especially if you're looking for online lessons. Click on one or two and sign up for a free trial. If they don't have a trial, you may have to pay for one lesson. The only case I would recommend trying a teacher with no trial who makes you pay for a month or longer right away is if the teacher is so successful that its not practical for them to do so.
Look for green flags in the first lesson. There are several things to gauge to see if the teacher is a good fit for you. First, do you feel comfortable with them by the end of the lesson? Or, if you are rarely comfortable with people, were they at least easier to be around than normal. Second, did you understand things the way the teacher explained them? If you spent the whole lesson figuring out one simple thing that probably isn't anyone's fault. Their teaching style and your learning style just didn't mesh. Finally, did you enjoy the lesson. Some teachers find a way to make students comfortable and explain well, but they ruin a singers love for music. Ultimately music should be enjoyed, and if the teacher's style is too critical or too lax they may be a bad fit for you.
Cost and logistics. Some teachers just charge more than other. Some charge by the lesson, some by the month, an some even by the year. There are teachers who only do 30-minutes, some who do an hour, and some who do 20, 40, or 45 minute lessons. Really want lessons with a live teacher and can't afford it or find a scholarship of any sort? Find a music teacher right out of college. More experienced teachers tend to charge more, so if you find a fully qualified person with little experience you can still get a great lesson. Can't do an hour long lesson, most teachers are willing to be flexible with times if you ask.
Overall, the goal is the find the RIGHT teacher, not just any teacher. I will not be so vain as to say I am the right teacher for everyone and have definitely turned some students away after a trial lesson saying I wasn't the right fit for them. These student are not bad singers or untalented, just not a good fit. If you want to find out if I'm the right teacher for you, sign up for a trial lesson today!
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