There are three main factors to consider when a student begins taking voice lessons. While Josh Groban started singing at the age of 17, others took voice lessons in their teens. These factors include self-motivation, available practice time, and focus. Fortunately, there is no one right answer. Learn the secrets of the best singers, and you’ll be singing in no time! Here’s what you should expect from your voice lessons.
While Josh Groban started singing at age 17
Although Josh Groban began singing at an early age, he didn’t begin taking voice lessons until later. His parents instilled in him the importance of hard work and encouraged him to pursue his dream. The result was a double-platinum selling debut album and a dazzling career in music. In 2002, he had already sold five million copies of his self-titled debut album. Josh Groban is one of the few classical singers to cross over to the pop market, a feat that was surpassed by only Charlotte Church, Andrea Bocelli, and Sarah Brightman.
His voice teacher at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Josh Riggs, introduced him to Grammy-winning producer David Foster. While he was preparing to study drama at Carnegie Mellon University, David Foster sent Josh to high-profile gigs to demonstrate his talent. In his early twenties, he sang at the inauguration of California Governor Grey Davis.
Self-motivation
One of the most important things for aspiring singers to have is self-motivation. Without it, a singer will be unable to dedicate the necessary time and effort to become an accomplished musician. The best way to overcome self-doubt is to jam with other musicians. This is the best way to develop and hone one’s skills. However, many singers lack the motivation to practice on a regular basis.
To understand the motivational factors of aspiring professional singers, a questionnaire was designed. Participants were asked to rate their progress in terms of voice range, complexity of music, and emotional depth. The survey also asked them to rate their understanding of singing, both through studying specific pieces and performing in public. It also asked respondents to rate their feelings of mastery in relation to different audiences, and to their sense of artistic competence.
Available practice time
If you’re serious about pursuing a career in singing, you’ll want to allocate some time for practicing. The amount of time you can dedicate to practicing each day will vary, depending on your goals. For beginners, thirty minutes per day is enough. For more advanced singers, you may need to dedicate an hour a day to practice. Even though you’ll be focusing on your voice for an hour or two a day, you’ll benefit from taking breaks every now and then.
Investing in a good practice facility will pay off in the long run. Depending on your budget, you might need to combine two different places to practice. A good place for this is the garage. Another good option is a community center or school. Youth and community centers often have free practice rooms for students. If you’re in the city, you can try joining a choir or singing group to practice. You can also find an available practice room at a recording studio, which rents out the space to students.
Focus
Most aspiring professional singers start their vocal training at a young age. They may take music lessons from Vocal Trainers or dance classes, or be part of a high school jazz combo or basement rock band. Even more, they may perform in local bands as members of the school chorus or honor society. Whatever the case, they need to learn how to properly use their voice to communicate with their audience. Taking voice lessons will help them learn these essential skills, as well as many other aspects of performing.
While vocal instructors are cautious with young students, it is still possible to develop a healthy singing habit. The human voice is delicate, and young students shouldn’t have too much pressure or support on their diaphragmatic muscles. It’s also dangerous to over-stretch a young singer’s voice. A young voice continues to change as it matures and doesn’t reach its full maturity until the mid-30s, which is why traditional operatic study usually begins after puberty.