3rd Voice :: Speech Level Singing Voice Training in Toronto

Your First Session

“You must first eliminate any outer muscle activity that interferes with your tone.”

- Seth Riggs

If it’s your first time working with myself, or the studio, it is *preferred that your first vocal lesson be conducted here in person* (in exceptional circumstances, such as distance, pre-gig warm-up, or an emergency, a phone lesson or lessons via live video conferencing over the internet may be arranged). Subsequent vocal lessons can then be arranged via phone or video conference if need be.

Before Your Lesson

Before our first meeting, an online registration form will be available for you fill out in advance and submit to document your vocal health, musical interest, and experience so that we can better prepare for your visit.

Upon your arrival, we will discuss your desires and goals for vocal training, and following that, usually jump straight into an assessment. For this reason, it is suggested that you book an hour for your first lesson (but, of course, it’s not mandatory). To help speed up the registration process, please ask for a registration form to be emailed to you so that you can fill it out in advance, and bring it with you to your first lesson.

The First Lesson

In order to develop your voice the fastest, you may expect an emphasis on the initial lessons in giving you a basic knowledge of vocal function, and to provide you with customized systematic exercises which will serve to condition the voice for healthy and efficient singing. As your voice develops co-ordination and stability, we may want to progress from vocalizations, and jump right into songs!

For more experienced singers, should we decide on looking at application into songs at the first lesson, please be prepared to provide either an instrumental backing track of the music (which is the easiest way for the both of us to work with songs), sheet music, so that I may accompany you on the piano, or a chord/fake sheet. It will also be helpful for you to have a copy of the lyrics for yourself, if you haven’t subscribed them to memory yet. Failing that, acapella (that is, singing without accompaniment) will do. If you’re a beginner, there are a number of instrumental tracks to choose from here at the studio.

Progressing Through Lessons

Depending on your goals and/or requirements, a minimum of 1 half hour lesson a week might also be suggested to maintain fast, consistent progress. However, some students with time or professional commitments may come twice or more a week for lessons to ensure rapid progress; some come only every fortnight; and others on an ad-hoc basis to quick fix vocal issues. The frequency of your lessons is up to your own commitment, time availability, and budget. Further, almost all students notice significant improvements in their singing after just the first lesson… so be prepared for an enjoyable experience!

Your Recorded Lesson

The work we do together will be recorded onto cd, or another medium of your choice, for you to take away and work with between our lessons together and to document your progress. Don’t underestimate the power of these recordings; they will document your progress and are packed with tools and advice which have been tailored specifically and uniquely for you! Working with your latest recording is the fastest way for you to make the most progress.

If you find yourself collecting too many lesson cd’s, maybe you could use a flashdrive! Faster, and more convenient than cd’s (also saves time during your lesson) 2 GB flash drives are available for purchase at the studio for $10. Ask at your next lesson.