The Benefits of Voice Lessons -- Part 1

While for some people (like me) getting voice lessons is the fulfillment of a life-long goal of learning to sing for an audience, many people do not have this desire and thus do not think that vocal training would be of any benefit. Here is what I know: voice lessons are not just for professional (or wannabe professional) singers. Anyone can benefit from some voice training.

So what are the benefits that everyone should consider about voice lessons? Here are a few to think about.

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1. Voice lessons can boost your confidence in the daily use of your voice for speaking

Many people have concerns about their voices and are very self-conscious about the way that they sound. Others have bad habits in their speaking voice that have accumulated over their lifetime. The exercises and techniques that are used for opening up the voice for maximum singing potential are the exact same things that will benefit the speaking voice as well.

For those who speak publicly; such as teachers, pastors, business leaders, community leaders, etc.; vocal training can help them to develop power and projection needed to communicate to an audience. For others who use their voice as a tool for work every day in live presentations, phone conversations, web conferences and more, vocal training can help them to use their voice to maximum effect. As a music major in college with a minor in speech communications, I was able to see how the two arts of singing and speaking were inextricably linked.

2. Voice lessons can improve your overall vocal health

Those who depend on their voice to work for purposes of personal or business communication (which would be almost everyone) should consider the health benefits of vocal exercise. Our voices are meant to be a life-long tool that we can use. Roger Love, in his book Set Your Voice Free said, "The human voice is set up to speak or sing twenty-four hours a day without getting hoarse or strained or creating any physical problems."

As a voice teacher, part of what I teach my students is to treat their voices well, so that they can continue singing through their whole lives. Good habits required of a voice student are the same habits everyone should implement to maintain good vocal health. Some of these are things we know are right, but don't always follow, such as: drinking plenty of water, not using the voice for screaming or yelling, and getting enough sleep every night. Also, the vocal exercises used to both relax and strengthen the voice of the student are beneficial in reducing the strain of daily use for non-musical tasks.

3. Singing brings personal enjoyment

Learning to sing well can bring a great deal of personal enjoyment to music that cannot be experienced by someone who is not as confident or capable in the art of singing. Whether it be involvement in church or community music groups, singing has brought many people together to have a good time. I have found that as my abilities increased through my years of vocal training, my enjoyment of singing in groups also increased. I gained confidence in knowing what I was doing and was able to focus more on the people around me because I didn't have to focus so much on myself and my inadequacies in singing.

As you consider some of the benefits of vocal training, of which I have only mentioned three, consider getting some voice lessons yourself. Try it, you may like it!