When to begin voice lessons is a personal decision, but you can make it as early as childhood if you have the desire. Remember that voice cords during the pre-pubescent years are thin and vulnerable. Young singers need a variety of musical experiences and genres to develop their voice. It is also helpful to introduce your child to a wide variety of musical styles. In this article, you’ll learn some tips to help your child get started in voice lessons:
Motivation is key to starting voice lessons
The most crucial thing to remember when starting voice lessons is to be motivated to learn. Children have extra motivation since vocal lessons often require long hours of practice and concentration. If you can manage to focus for at least 30 minutes a day, you’re ready to start lessons. But if you don’t have the time or money to commit to vocal lessons, there are other things you can do to motivate yourself. Here are some tips for getting started:
Make your voice lessons fun. Singing with friends can make voice lessons fun and reduce the chance of your child quitting the hobby. It also helps children develop ear training and technical skills. Students who can sing with friends make faster progress in their lessons, as they no longer need parental encouragement to keep them engaged. But don’t get discouraged too early. You’ll be glad you made the decision to take the first step.
Pre-pubescent vocal cords are thin
A singer’s vocal range is the range of notes a voice can produce. It is the range of notes that can be sung by a person with different vocal cord types. Professional singers have a vocal range beyond their vocal range. Sopranos can sing anywhere from middle C to high C, while mezzo-sopranos can sing from A below middle C to A above high C. Vocal cords are thin, flexible muscles that stretch across the larynx.
The vocal cords have a trifurcated configuration with a deep larynx and thin cricoid cartilage. The thyroid cartilage increases by about three times in males compared to females. The larynx also descends horizontally. The larynx is longer and wider than pre-pubescent vocal cords, but the vocal folds are the same size. Male vocal cords grow dramatically while females increase only slightly. The vocal folds lengthen in response to increased laryngeal skeleton size. The vocal folds are 15 mm long before puberty and increase to approximately 17 mm in contralto.
Young singers need to be exposed to a variety of musical genres
A singer’s repertoire should include a variety of styles and eras. There’s a huge variety of work spanning telegrams, karaoke lounges, opera houses, and stadiums. When starting voice lessons, young singers should consider their specific goals to help them decide what genres to focus on first. Do they want to perform a certain style of song? Or is it more important to broaden their musical education by studying various types of music?
Music aptitude is something that everyone has, and it can increase or decrease from birth to age seven, depending on their exposure to music. By kindergarten, many children are singing familiar songs and participating in musical play. However, 17% of children struggle to find their voices and match pitch. If you are a parent, be sure to encourage your child to sing at home as much as possible.
Finding a good voice teacher
Before enrolling in voice lessons, you must find a good teacher. You can contact the voice teacher via email, phone, or a website form, so that you can ask questions about the lessons, teaching style, and lesson plans. It is also advisable to find a teacher who has experience teaching singers in the genre you’re interested in. Otherwise, you may end up with a teacher who is less than ideal for your needs.
Your first lesson with your new voice teacher can be intimidating. It is like embarking on a new relationship. It’s scary, and you’re eager to get the basics right. You’re putting yourself out there, so you’re doing business. However, there’s a risk that you won’t remember important conversation points from the beginning. Therefore, be sure to find a teacher who is willing to talk about the details of their payment policy before you begin your lessons.