I’m not Surprised ( 2009 Copyright)

When I see the singers I have work with for a while perform and receive a positive feedback from the public, I feel happy, yet I’m not surprised. A coach must know beforehand, the artistic potential of his students. This will allow the vocal coach to guide the singer to maximize his potential. The coach can visualize what the student needs and create a plan of action. This plan of action has a clear goal of how the artist can rise with training, and the coach has to be ready to work towards that goal with his/her student.

The singer’s growth takes time. It is a long process of inner search and maturity attainment. The student needs to establish a compromise with his art to allow his talent to flourish. The singer will experience this transformation through his/her classes. He/she will be able to differentiate between just having the talent or voice, and being a true artist.

Each aspect will be developed and then put together like a puzzle. The singer will feel validated when he starts experiencing his accomplishment s at each point of the process. This will provide the singer with confidence that will reflect in the way he/she interprets a song and in the way he/she connects with the audience. The acceptance by the public should confirm that the coach’s work has been valid and effective. This is the highest form of testimony that the coaching has provided the necessary tools for the singer to perform.

We Are All Barbra Streisand

In our minds, everything is possible. We can paint like Pablo Picasso. We can write like Ray Bradbury, and we can sing like Barbara Streisand. That’s where everything can happen; where no limits exist. I see singers who are convinced they sing well and who think they are ready to go on scene. They come looking for the “quick recipe” that will guarantee a better vocal technique, a better musical performance. They want to run and contact producers and record a record. They think they are ready.

When they begin their vocal lessons, they begin to realize the areas they need to improve upon. They begin to put their feet on the ground. That’s where reality comes in; where they become conscious of all the work that will be required on their part so they can become better artists.
Some singers decide to put in the effort and invest all the necessary time. Others, meanwhile, give up and leave. Then there are always those who just criticize others who actually take on the challenge to become better artists. They say “look how bad he sings. I could do it better. Look how bad she moves. I dance much better.” At the end of the day, they are living an illusion.

A true artist is not the one who points fingers and thinks he can do it better. The artist is that one who performs. The singer can perform because he practices, tries to find his style, makes mistakes, tries again, records a demos and eventually performs on stage. Just saying I can do it is not enough. You can imagine you are Barbara Streisand, but reality will tell you otherwise. A singer cannot just imagine he is a singer; he has to put in all the effort that will make him a successful artist.

The Only Thing That Counts Are the Results

Often, I see singers who come to my studio looking to fix different problems. They all have something in common though. They do not feel comfortable with their voices. It would be normal to see artists who want to improve their vocal technique, but what is interesting is that many of these students have already been studying with other vocal coaches.

That is where I start to emphasize the importance of obtaining results in the short-run. It is true that the vocal development takes some time, however working with a vocal coach should generate improvements within a month of vocalization exercises.
There have to be some improvement which creates a feeling of comfort with one’s voice. This will advance the progress.
It would not be sensible to wait a whole year to see results. If within a month or two, results are not seen, then it might be time to seek another vocal coach.

The vocal coach has a great responsibility of taking a student and helping him/her to improve his/her voice each day. The harm is done when the coach does not let the student go because the coach cannot accept his or her own teaching limitations. On the other hand, the student continues taking classes because there is a good relationship with the coach, continuing with the classes without realizing the consequences this can have on his/her voice .
My advice is not to go just by nice words and compliments. Seek results that can lead you to achieve excellence as an artist.