Are singing lessons worth it in 2023

Are singing lessons worth it? In 2023 we have the world at our finger tips, with the answers to almost everything available within seconds. So are singing lessons worth it in a world of so much information?  

Let’s start with what signing lessons actually are. Because even this can vary from teacher to teacher.  

For me a singing lesson is where you come to someone like myself because you would like to achieve a specific goal with your voice. For example: You would like to be able to sing higher, sing louder, sing with stability, with vibrato, be able to sing more in tune. You come with your goal and the aim of the singing lesson is so take the steps to get you there.  

Singing lessons specifically focus on building technique over time.  

We start with a warm up or mobility exercise, we then move onto a technical exercise and then put that technique we just learned into a song at the end. That is a singing lesson, to me. Although this may differ with some teachers.  

So now we defined a singing lesson, we need to cut to the chase, the cost.  

You need to think to yourself, are you prepared to invest in your singing voice, are you going to be able to afford to work with the teacher you would like to. Because lessons can range hugely in price, so you have to ask yourself if you can afford to invest in weekly or bi-weekly classes. In my opinion, and that is how my studio works, you are going to need to work with someone for at least a year if not two if you really want to see some change. Because learning to sing, just like any other instrument takes time. Can you afford that level of commitment? I have been teaching for 17 years, and I see the best success come from regular singing classes. 

Which takes me perfectly to my next point which is time.  

You are going to need to be able to invest not only the cash for your lesson but also the time to practice. Singing lessons are only worth it for the cost and the time spent if you can put what you learn into action. I recommend at least 30min practice sessions a minimum of 3 – 4 times a week, but this depends on your age. Older singers should be looking at 30min practice sessions 5 times a week as a minimum, kids I recommend 15 – 20min a day. It has to become a part of your routine. 

We are now at the half way point in the video and in my opinion if you are not willing to invest the time, then singing lessons are not worth it for you. You will just be wasting your money and time. Think about it, what do you want to achieve, can you MAKE the time in your schedule for it?  

Are singing lessons worth it? I think so, because of the feedback you get.  

You can google all you like, but I see this time and time again in the studio, singers read something like “you need to get louder to sing higher” and they try it out and it doesn’t work. Because one rule does not work for everyone. It may not apply to you, you may already sing loud enough and you actually have to sing quieter. Which is why individual feedback is so important and why I believe singing lessons are really important. You get there much faster when someone tells you what you can improve on week on and week off.  

Individualized.  

You can watch all the YouTube videos on singing that you like. But without a teacher making changes to the range, scales, exercises, song choice language used the list goes on. Without those changes being made in real time, it is going to be very hard for you to get what you need out of the videos. For example, you may have noticed in my videos that I say “chest voice, thick vocal folds, speech quality” well that is because all of those terms mean the same thing, but it is just a different way of saying it. You may need to sing the song a little lower on one day and higher the next, but you are only going to get that feedback from a live singing teacher.  

Support  

As much as I would like to only sing and not talk in my lessons, sometimes singers ask me for my support of advice on their voices, singing lessons can help you get that support with guidance of what would be best for you and your way, without you searching for the next video to watch. My entire job is to support my students in their journey’s, so I am here if anyone has any questions in their lessons and out of them. Often our job is also to be your cheerleader, you have someone on your side guiding you and doing what is best for your voice.  

So there you have it folks, are singing lessons worth it. In my opinion, and this of course is what you have been waiting for…. it depends. Do you really have a goal with your voice? Are you wanting to achieve something? Are you wanting to have fun with your singing and improve at the same time? Then singing lesson are hell yes worth it. I had 12 years of regular classes and I still go back for tune ups when I am preparing for something. Singing lessons help me to see what I can hear and see myself, it is a fresh set of eyes and it just short cuts all the crap, because I have clear goals to work on.  

Singing lessons though are not worth it if you are not going to put in the time needed to improve. If you are happy with the way things are then you don’t need lessons, you need to join a choir. And that is also a great way to enjoy singing without all the individualized support and feedback.