The terms voice teacher and singing teacher are most often used to refer to a teacher who has been educated and instructs vocal pedagogy, while a vocal coach may not have the same level of education. A voice coach is another professional who helps singers with questions of musical style and performance, practice and tradition. Often, a voice coach can be a pianist, orchestra conductor or music director, and have experience conducting musical performances in their respective styles. A vocal coach could help with issues such as pronunciation, musical phrasing, performing practice, as well as helping the singer “own” the song.
Generally speaking, a singing coach is someone who “trains singing while a voice teacher” teaches singing. There is really no difference between singing classes and voice classes. Usually, the public is looking for singing lessons, as they want to learn to sing. Voice teachers call singing classes, voice classes or classes.
This is because the voice is the instrument. Just as one would call piano lessons piano, the piano is the instrument. The first difference between a singing class and a vocal training session is the focus of the lesson. Singing teachers work in vocal technique.
You can do vocal function exercises, note patterns and single notes, designed to achieve a particular sound or to refine your skill in a particular part of your range. Usually, most of the lesson will be devoted to these technical exercises, although it is possible that some time will be spent troubleshooting the songs, putting the technique in context. Sometimes you can't sing a song completely in a technique lesson, since the purpose is to figure out the things that don't work for you and fix them. Both help with the technique, although for a singing teacher it is the main focus.
They will work on exercises to learn or improve individual techniques such as breathing, tuning or reach (how loud or low can you sing). A vocal coach takes the technique and uses it in a song to bring out the best in the individual student. The most significant difference between a voice teacher and a vocal coach lies in the area of teaching. A voice teacher works to improve a student's voice by focusing on vocal health and techniques.
The lessons are about note accuracy, range, singing from the head versus singing from the chest, voice control and other methods that improve the voice in general. A vocal coach works on the performance of the song. Lessons include stage presence, show, expansion of the song repertoire and how to handle the performance. A vocal coach usually works with advanced students, and a voice teacher works with singers of all talent levels.
The term vocal coach has become quite common in the singing world and can mean everything from a singing technique teacher to a song teacher (we'll talk about that later), to an acting coach. In the music industry, singing coaches and voice teachers perform many of the same functions and can even be performed by the same person. Voice teachers work on things like range, note accuracy, breath control, head-to-chest voice and many other techniques vital to the singer. A singing teacher is a professional who helps students improve the technical use of their voices.
A voice coach may not be comfortable in technical singing issues and, if technical problems arise, may suggest that you consult the singing teacher. Voice coaches will work very often with actors and singers alike (% of voice that speaks and sings in 3D), sometimes with a little more attention on spoken voice. Therefore, although a voice teacher can instruct a student of any level, the singing coach should meet with the student at the place where he or she is and work primarily to improve a singer's performance. When I was doing street music at train stations in San Francisco (street music is performing in a public place to ask for tips), I sought the help of a voice teacher because he kept hitting a wall vocally.
If you live in Alpharetta or the Roswell and Milton areas, and are looking for a voice teacher or vocal coach, stop by North Fulton School of Music. To start vocal training or prepare for an upcoming performance, check out my full Master Your Voice singing program or book a singing lesson. . .
