—— Navigate Through FAQs for Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages and levels do you teach?
Singers of any age can develop their voice and learn to sing beautifully. Beyond 60 or 70 years of age, there may be some loss of flexibility because the vocal mechanism relies heavily on ligaments, but this is usually sufficiently exercised through training so that the singer can sing throughout their entire range in their 60ʼs, 70ʼs and 80ʼs – usually with more range than theyʼve had in the past. I even know one singer who did quite a nice job with Brahms leider at age 92.
Do you teach classical and opera?
The study of vocal technique is about developing the most efficient and effective function of the vocal apparatus. This is evident when a singer can move throughout their range without a loss in tone quality, ( i.e, the sound doesnʼt become breathy, or nasal, or screechy or yelly according to the range of the scales or music). This is an age-old approach originating in the 1600ʼs with the Schola Cantorum and continuing today on a limited basis, (because the skill is somewhat of a lost art).
Singing throughout the range without any “breaks” or loss of tone quality is historically referred to as singing with a mixed voice. We hear the change in resonance as the air moves from the pharyngeal cavities below the larynx, to the pharyngeal and nasal- pharyngeal cavities above the larynx, but we donʼt “lose” the beauty, color or flexibility of the voice as the singer moves between low and high or high and low.
This is crucial to meet the demands of classical and operatic repertoire.
It is also vital for any singer who wants to increase the likelihood that they will maintain their vocal quality, strength, range and flexibility throughout their life.
I sing in 5 languages and Iʼm fluent in German.
What style of music do you teach?
What do private voice lessons include?
- Vocal technique to learn to connect the lower and upper parts of the voice.
- Repertoire development that is appropriate to age, development, musical and personal style, and audition or demo requirements.
- Audition coaching for classical, opera/operetta and musical theater.
- Critiques of concerts, rehearsals, and performances.
- Songwriter assistance with phrasing, style, structure.
Can you help me prepare for a professional career?
- How to prepare a demo.
- How to prepare for entrance auditions.
- How to select professional auditions and where to find them.
- How to develop career goals and strategies to achieve them.
- How to meet people who can help you.
- How to learn about music business issues like licensing, copyright, contracts, etc.
What type of breathing do you teach?
Without air passing through the vocal cords, there would be no vibration and therefore no sound. Thatʼs why everyone knows that breath is important in singing. But most voice lessons and voice coaching of the past 60-70 years has placed too much emphasis on teaching the student how to breathe. If you didn’t already know how to breath, you would be dead. Kidding aside, what you do need to sing effortlessly is great posture. Once you have great posture, you must inhale and exhale. I teach you how to improve those actions in simple, direct language with clear tools that anyone can master. The posture of the larynx, efficient phonation and natural use of the articulators take care of the rest.
But what about emotion and expression?
We work very hard to develop a voice that functions well because we want to communicate ideas and emotions. That is the reason we sing. But without technique, your choices are limited. How can you express something the way you really want when you can only sing certain notes loudly, or breathy or maybe not at all? When we tell a friend a story, we are speaking with a wide range of tones and colors. We need these when we sing, too. If we donʼt train the voice to move freely between low and high and high and low, we can only sing certain notes by pushing, squeezing, yelling or getting breathy. When you learn how to sing in a mix, you can express a wide range of emotions WITHOUT manipulating our throat or bodies, and without cluttering up the sound.
Do you coach songs?
What’s different about your approach?
Everything! Unlike most voice teachers, I take a real-world, hands-on approach to your specific needs and goals. When we work together, we’ll be focusing on not only your technique, but your style and overall delivery. And I get you the results you want.
How can you help a professional, touring singer?
Coaching while on tour helps you stay focused, prevent vocal fatigue, and perform at the top of your game. We can work remotely via SKYPE from anywhere in the world, getting your voice opened up, running difficult songs, discussing tech issues, before or after your sound check. You can get personal practice videos and rehearsal recordings so you can work on your own.
You can get extraordinary results also when we do live coaching on-site at your venue. Call me to talk about the most effective solutions for you. Tel. 781-985-8234
Do you teach beginners?
Of course! Beginners benefit from acquiring a solid foundation in vocal technique that makes it possible for them to experience organic growth – vital for future success – and to prevent injuries, hoarseness, vocal fatigue and other problems. Talk to me about beginner programs at linda@lindaballiro.com