When people call me, I always ask them what goals they would like to achieve by getting voice lessons. After all, there are people who enjoy singing (whether for an audience or in the shower) but will not necessarily get voice lessons. Voice lessons require first and foremost an hour a week in which the person will dedicate personal time to himself, in which he is at the center. It is a sacred time during which he/she gives themself the gift of stopping the frantic pace of their life so that they can concentrate on breathing, voice, body and soul, and the songs they love and want to sing.
In the lessons we learn, over time, to sing correctly and in a healthy way, without getting hoarse. We learn how to support the vocal cords. A good singing technique must be based on proper breathing, so at the beginning of each lesson, breathing exercises are practiced that strengthen the diaphragm and the lower abdomen. The vocal exercises strengthen and flex the vocal cords: similarly, to going to the gym and training to flex and develop muscles. One knows that if one trains, one will be able to lift a 100-kilogram weight or do a split. So do we, singers, use our bodies as musical instruments.
The vocal cords are muscles. In addition, we use many additional muscles that need to be maintained, strengthened, and flexed in order to realize our full vocal potential.
We expand the vocal range (from lowest to highest) and learn our range of different vocal colors and timbres. We learn and apply the 10 different components of the voice (the Paul Newham Method), creating a connection between the lower and upper registers. We learn to sing with chest sounds, head sounds, as well as mixing these. We learn to expand the trachea in 3 different ways – which directly affects the depth and resonance of our voice. Correct diction is practiced in Hebrew and English. We learn to sing in all non-classical singing styles. Build muscular memory to be able to sing easily and effortlessly. We learn which singing style and which songs best suit the nature of our natural voice; Of course, you can learn how to sing in different styles – but there will always be a certain style with which we feel most at home and it will be the most natural for us. We practice techniques to reduce stage anxiety and increase confidence in auditions. We learn to interpret Songs - just as an actor learns to submit a text we singers also need to submit the text to the audience. Although first of all we need to be heard well and be understood, the manner in which the text is submitted is no less important. We treat the text as a monologue and work on it employing with acting techniques which actors apply in the theater. It is also possible to combine ear training and music theory studies. It is also possible to prepare for auditions and build a repertoire for performances.
Very briefly, it can be said in a few sentences that in voice lessons we realize our natural vocal potential. We learn what the Holy Trinity is: the three golden rules for correct singing and speaking: breathing exercises, vocal exercises, and working on a song (usually a song that the student requests). Working on songs allows you to apply the new skills that we learned into practice in real time.
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