As I have watched American Idol for some added blog inspiration this season, I am really feeling for the singers during their judgement from the panelists.  It brings back a lot of memories for me as a singer when it comes to receiving conflicting advice from your mentors.  It can be extremely confusing to the “green” and even not so “green” singer.  What do you take to heart, what do you learn from, and what do you ignore?

When 4 people are giving you conflicting advice, or even 2 people what do you do?

It is a very hard position to be in as a singer because we want so much to please the people in charge.  We need the job, we want to keep the job, and we have to get the next job.  Think of all the pressure and opinions one singing gig may have:  your teacher, any opposing teachers on your technique, your conductor, your coach, your pianist, your band members, or director, or choreographer, your producer, your agent, your parent, your boyfriend, the music critic, the audience…

Everyone has an opinion on how you should sing and what you should do to make yourself better.  Whether they are talking about your technique, your song choice, your fach (vocal category), your personal style, or your genre of choice.

This is a really tough position to be in.  For example on American Idol last night Randy told Katie Stevens that she was singing perfectly in her R&B genre while Simon Cowell said she was a country singer.  This is a young girl who is very talented who needs to find her way receiving conflicting advice by two highly acclaimed professionals.  How is she supposed to deal with that?

That is a lot of pressure.  All you can do singers is pick a few people to trust who have a great record of experience that you respect and listen to them.  Then take it all in and listen to your gut.  The truth is, it is you standing up there, being judged.  You need to feel 100% true to how you are presenting what you’ve got inside from the truest voice to the most honest emotions conveyed.  You have to be happy with your outfit and your own hair style.  You need to feel connected to your song choice and cozy in your genre selection.

At the end of the day, when the lights come down, the answer is in your gut and instinct. Use a few wise people to help guide you to that true place.  You are the one to receive the acclaim or critique of your performance no matter who told you to do what.  So own your decisions and choices, but make sure you do so with a professional positive attitude.

-I can guarantee you that you will be judged for them.

Sing well people!

written by Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons To Go (singing lessons on CD) and author of Vocalize!

Want a professional opinion of how you sound?  Sign up for my Vocal Assessment. Then send me a link or mp3 of you singing (audio/or audio visual) with your questions and I will get back to you with my feedback right away.

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Finding a good voice teacher can be tricky. There are a few issues you may encounter that you should watch for and consider when selecting who you study and pursue your singing with.

1.You should never feel strained, hoarse, or soar in your throat and voice as a direct result of what your teacher is having you do in a lesson. Not to say that occasionally you may have some vocal fatigue towards the end of the lesson- like a hard physical work out, but the voice should bounce back quickly and without any negative repercussions.

Occasionally your teacher may try something with you that may make you feel strained because you did not or were not yet ready to master it. As long as the teacher immediately identifies that there is a problem and stops the exercise holding off for more vocal and muscular development. Sometimes they need to check if you are ready to try the new thing or not.

If you do feel strain in anything that you are doing in your lesson. Tell your teacher and do not continue on with that exercise. If your teacher gets defensive- pay attention, that is not a good sign of someone who has your best interest in mind.

2. There are different techniques. Some teachers have you hold in your abdominal muscles for support while some have you push them down and out for support. Some have you sing through a “honk” in your nose while others have you drop your larynx for a more swallowed sound. It can be very confusing for someone who just wants to learn to sing. There may be different opinions on how to handle this. Mine is, do what makes sense to you.

If your teacher gets you voice out well, you see marked and regular improvement. You are building stamina, you like your vocal quality and NOTHING feels strained, pushed or unnatural. Then you should be in good hands. Trust your instinct.

3. Don’t become intimidated or swayed by those out there. So many people have strong opinions and can be quite intimidating about them- making you feel stupid for not studying with a certain someone, or stupid FOR studying with a certain someone. Again, you need to find a match that works for you. Your voice teacher should empower you as a singer. You should look forward to your lessons and walk out of them buzzing with positive energy.

In general, don’t be afraid to get what YOU WANT out of your singing lessons. It is ok to try out three teachers and choose one. It is also OK to leave the one you are with if you are unhappy. Also, don’t be afraid to discuss any concerns you may have about the direction of your voice lessons with your teacher. Give them a chance to tailer their lessons to your needs.

If you are looking for an voice teachers ear and opinion but can’t yet afford or commit to your own private teacher. Try “Your Vocal Assessment” on my site. You send me your voice and questions and I send you my assessment back within the week.

Happy singing!

Ariella Vaccarino

www.voicelessonstogo.com