So, You Want to Start Voice Lessons?

So, you want to start voice lessons?
THAT’S FANTASTIC!!!!
Here’s what to expect in your first lesson at Heidi Riggs’ Vocal Studio:
You’ll receive a confirmation text the Sunday before your lesson reminding you of your day/time, sharing the studio address, and to arrive no more than a few minutes ahead of your lesson time.
Arrive on time.
Enter studio.
Introductions will be made.
If the student seems nervous, we’ll talk first. Establish the student’s goals, interests, and deadlines (if it’s a coaching student).
Discuss how I might be able to help meet those goals and how long your particular goals typically take to reach.
We review, in detail, studio policies and I answer questions regarding those policies.
This takes time out of what would, otherwise, be a normal 30 min lesson.
But, that’s ok!
I don’t want to overload you with terminology and vocal exercises that a beginning student would only be frustrated by. I want to give you an INTRODUCTION to what a lesson looks like.
I’ll ask you to stand near the piano facing the mirror, and I’ll ask you to breathe. I want to watch you inhale and exhale. We then discuss audible breathing (and how prevalent it is). I give you your first homework: audible breathing awareness homework! Then we liptrill. If the student is comfortable, we’ll run the full length of their range on an easy 1-5 or 1-5-1 exercise. At this point, I’m able to get an idea of the singer’s workable range, passagio, support, and any “bad habits” they may have coming in. I’ll assign liptrills. Lots of them!
We’ll then schedule your next 4 lessons to secure you a place in the “book”.
All of this takes all of 30 minutes (or slightly more). We sometimes get lucky and have an advanced student next in my schedule. I’ll usually ask the advanced student to demo vocalize for the new student. It’s a great way to observe the process!
Every week will build on the last thing we learned.

*Coaching students are more experienced or professional performers. The first lesson for this type of student includes performing excerpts of material to determine which direction we need to go – whether it’s new repertoire or polishing up material in their current book.
**If you’ve never taken voice before, you’re a weekly student (not a coaching student).

KEEP SINGING!!!!