This And That
Q: Do you have to be able to play a piano to be a vocal coach?
A: It can help, but recordings of exercises can be used, recordings of music of singers can be used, yet some vocal coaches do play the piano and some have accompanists to play for their students. I prefer having my attention free to listen and to observe, rather than dividing my attention between playing and hearing the singer.
Q: What is the single most important skill a vocal coach should have?
A: The ability to hear, to know what was heard and to understand why the singer sounds like they do. There’s much more to this, such as hearing whether there is laryngeal elevation (or laryngeal imposition), straining, or other issues taking place.
Q: How should a vocal coach teach style?
A: By knowing style and the concomitant nuances and the minutiae which give it distinction. Knowledge of phonemes, consonants, vowels, diphthongs, phrasing, rhythm, and timing are all part of the vast “picture” of each specific style. Knowing how to instruct a singer and being able to guide the singer, to “own” a style should go without saying. Some vocal coaches do not teach style and instead refer their clients to others.
Q: What would be the very first step taken with the client of a vocal coach?
A: An assessment of range, musicianship, goals, and needs of the singer. Open and honest communication is vital for the process to be most effective. A best vocal coach can hear and know what needs work and the difference between that and the unique voice of the singer, as it is revealed.
Q: Is it a “one size fits all” approach?
A: Definitely not. Each singer is at a definite level of many things including artistry, vocal technique, style, musicianship, and about 16 other things. All are not of equal importance, also. The singer shows up on any given day in whatever condition they are in. Even though there are incremental steps leading to success, there may be one in particular which is the most problematic at that time. Plans, training, and exercises can help to speed along the progress.
Q: Do vocal coaches usually turn singers into top professionals?
A: Some can help or help a singer to overcome a technique problem such as register transition issues, but the lists of recording artists who studied with a given coach already had professional careers before showing up at the door of the vocal coach. Many had complaints of vocal fatigue lack of endurance, cracks or breaks, or limited range and sought help to overcome these things.