If you are thinking of giving your child voice lessons, you probably want to find the best method for your child’s age. As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed, but we’re here to help! Below are some important tips to help your child become a good singer and vocalist. Make your child’s home environment vocally healthy, explain the concept of pitch, and encourage louder singing. And, most importantly, remember not to force your child’s voice.
Healthy home environment
Creating a healthy home environment for voice lessons is important for a young vocalist. Make sure there is no secondhand smoke around the house and encourage guests to smoke outside. Your child should also eat a healthy diet to develop a healthy singing voice. Remember, voice lessons for kids aren’t just about nurturing your budding star; they’ll be opening up a whole new world! Here are some simple tips to make your home a healthy place for voice lessons:
Explaining the concept of being in tune
Before starting a lesson, ask your child if he or she is feeling well. Even though children are often eager to begin the lesson, they may not tell you the whole truth. Try to listen closely for signs that the student might be sick. It’s better to ask questions than to assume they are fine. Nevertheless, if your child is complaining about sore throats, it’s okay to make a point of asking.
Encouragement of louder singing
When giving your child voice lessons, it is important to discourage the practice of belting. While this technique may sound cool to the audience, belting is actually dangerous for the voice, especially in children. Even if the song is your child’s favorite, refrain from encouraging her to belt too loud. In addition to hurting her voice, belting can also cause throat irritation. If your child is experiencing this problem, discuss this with her voice teacher before the lessons begin.
Avoiding vocal damage
While learning how to sing can be fun, children should be taught proper vocal care to prevent voice damage. Singing is akin to swimming: good instruction will teach proper positioning and breathing, and ensure safety in the water. This will also help establish technique. When children receive quality instruction, they take to the water quickly and build stamina as they get older. The same goes for singing. Voices are delicate tissue that should never be overstretched.
Teaching children to sing five-note melodies
If you want to teach your child to sing the five-note scale, the first step is to introduce the concept of upbeat and downbeat. Many songs begin on the downbeat, such as “Jingle Bells.” Other examples include “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush,” “Oh, Susanna!” and “The People on the Bus Go Up and Down.”
Encouragement of breathing exercises
Practicing breathing exercises is an important component of voice lessons for beginners. Proper breathing is essential for phonation, the process that produces sound. When practicing your breathing technique, make sure to breathe fully into your diaphragm and exhale slowly while maintaining expansion in the middle of your body. Try counting in your head or counting someone else as you practice, and keep a progress log to track your improvements. Breathing exercises can also be useful in group lessons to focus on the breathing process as a whole.