Tuesday 19 June 2012

What does a vocal coach do?

Most professional singers will use a vocal coach so it doesn't mean that you have a bad voice if you decide to use one!  It just means that like any actor, artist, sportsperson or athlete you are looking for someone to help you, train you and work on those areas that you would like to make even better.

A vocal coach will look at and listen to your breathing technique - how are you breathing, how is the air getting into your body, where is it going and how are you controlling it?  This will help with your volume, your tuning/pitch and your range.

They will also look at how your are using your vocal chords - are you tight and a bit 'shouty' or have you got a nice relaxed lower jaw so that you aren't straining when you sing?  This will help give you a fuller sound and also help with those higher notes.

A vocal coach can also help with your tone by showing you how to put strength and depth into some notes and brightness into others.

They aren't there to 'change' how you sing, just to help you get the best voice you can - the aim is that you are then not limited by your voice but that your voice becomes something you can use in a variety of ways and with confidence.

If you have a part of your singing which you are a little frustrated with or you think there are areas you could improve then give some singing lessons a go and get yourself a vocal coach who can work with you.

More information on this site and also at http://www.singing-lessons-in-bristol.co.uk/

Sunday 10 June 2012

Choosing a Singing Teacher in Bristol

Bristol is a major centre for music and the arts. If you are looking to develop your voice and performance as a singer then there are some great places where you can learn new skills and techniques and you will also have access to performance venues of different sizes which will suit all styles of singing.

No matter what your age, getting support and help with your singing is a good idea and a good singing teacher or tutor will be able to help you whatever your style - pop, rock, soul, R&B, blues, theatre, classical, etc.

A good vocal coach could even help you with your audition for The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, or The Voice.

These are the typical things that you can work in a singing class or with a good singing teacher.
  • Vocal technique - how to improve your range, your breathing and your tuning/pitch.
  • Interpretation - how to make a song your own, how to phrase and how to improve your delivery.
  • Performance - how to sing with confidence, how to own the stage and sing to an audience.
  • Choosing a song - how to choose the right song for you, how to change it to make it your own, and how to develop your own material.
How to pick the right singing teacher:
  • drop them an email and tell them what you think you would like to develop;
  • or give them a call and have a chat;
  • ask them how long they have been singing;
  • ask them how often they perform themselves;
  • find out how they run their lessons or classes.
A typical lesson with a good teacher will cost between £20 and £60 for around 45 minutes to an hour.

Whatever your age or ability, have a look at www.StarSinging.co.uk and if you have any questions, get in touch!

Find out about singing lessons in Bristol

Welcome to my website/blog which gives details about singing lessons in Bristol and is also a place where I share thoughts, hints and tips on singing, singers and all things musical!

If you're new to the site, I am Nick Langston, I have been singing for as long as I can remember and have a love for all kinds of music from jazz to pop to rock to funk to soul and many, many other styles.  I have been performing for a number of years, most recently with the promotion of my album 'Captivated' (more details at www.NickLangston.com) which helped me gain a number of songwriting awards and also enabled me to perform at Glastonbury Festival in 2010 and 2011.

I have also been teaching singing (and guitar) for several years through www.StarSinging.co.uk.  If you are here to find out more about singing lessons and what you could gain from a vocal coach then have a read and get in touch with me if you would like to find out more - Nick@NLA.me.uk.  I also work with songwriters and have all the facilities and experience for recording and releasing music - www.StarSinging.co.uk has a good overview of some of the services offered.

Whether you are new to singing or an experienced performer, you should hopefully get some useful ideas here.  I'm also happy to work with singers of all ages (including children - I am a qualified teacher) and have a wide range of experience.

Thanks for visiting.