How to Properly Prepare for Your First Singing Lesson

So you’ve booked your first singing lesson. How exciting!

How are you feeling?

Are you looking forward to trying something new and keen to learn new skills, or are you feeling a little nervous?

Either way, it’s good to be prepared so you can get the most out of your very first lesson.

So here are some things to think about now, in advance of your first singing lesson…

Don’t Worry or Feel Embarrassed

Your teacher is there to teach you how to sing better.

If your singing voice was already perfect, then there’d be no point in having singing lessons!

A good singing tutor will teach students of all abilities, and we all start somewhere.

If you think you’re out of tune, don’t worry, your teacher will work with you on this.

It can be nerve-wracking singing in front of someone for the first time, but once you make that leap, and put any feelings of insecurity behind you, you’ll have so much fun.

Singing is amazing, it’s so uplifting, it’s excellent for your mental well-being, and the more you sing, the better you’ll get, especially when you have expert tuition.

So just get stuck in and don’t feel nervous before your first singing lesson.

The more you sing, the more confident you’ll become.

Think About What You Want to Achieve

It’s good to have some goals in mind to discuss with your singing teacher, so they can tailor your lessons to perfectly suit your needs.

Is there anything specific you’d like to work on?

Are you looking to improve your vocal range?

Do you want to build your confidence?

Is there a specific song you’d love to be able to sing well, or a particular musical genre you’d like to focus on?

You’ll also have more fun when your tutor understands your musical preferences.

If you’d rather be singing rock songs then just let them know!

Drink Water and Take Some With You

Keeping hydrated is great for your vocal cords.

When you’ve been to a concert, you’ll usually see the singer with a bottle of water.

This isn’t just because they’re feeling thirsty mid-performance, it’s to keep their vocal cords well lubricated so they can give their very best performance.

So drink some water before you go to your lesson, and take a bottle with you.

It’s thought that room temperature or slightly warm water is ideal, as cold water can cause muscle constriction and have an adverse effect on your singing voice.

When it’s your very first lesson, you may also be feeling a little nervous, and nerves can cause you to have a dry throat, so sipping water before and during your lesson can really help with this too.

Go with an Open Mind

Your first lesson may be more focused on getting to know you and understanding your needs, but bear with your tutor, as you’re laying the groundwork for the most enjoyable and beneficial lessons.

There are also some aspects of singing lessons that may not seem relevant at first, but they will hugely benefit you.

You may learn breathing techniques, or be asked to repeat vocal exercises.

Don’t dismiss these as pointless or silly.

These are tried and trusted methods used by some of the very best singers in the world.

When you put in the work and trust your teacher, you’ll reap the rewards down the line.

Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up

These are YOUR singing lessons, and your teacher wants you to have a great time while improving your skills.

If you don’t feel happy about any aspect of your lesson, then be sure to say something and your teacher will adapt your tuition to ensure you’re happy.

Perhaps you truly hate a song you’ve been asked to learn or you feel particularly uncomfortable singing unaccompanied right now.

Don’t be afraid to speak up, your teacher wants you to feel happy and at ease.

Have Fun and Enjoy the Lesson

Most importantly of all, relax, and have fun!

You’re not studying for a maths exam, you’re there to improve your singing ability and have a fantastic time along the way.

So what if you forget your words or a line comes out horribly out of tune?

Laugh about it, pick up some tips from your tutor on how to do better next time, and give it another go!

Lesson by lesson, you’ll get better and better, and that’s an amazing feeling.