FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Singing for Beginner Singers
FAQs - Online Voice Lessons
About Singing in General
How soon will I see improvements?
Small improvements usually happen quickly and you may not notice them at first. It can be very helpful to record yourself before, during and after each course and listen back. This will allow you to hear your progress!
You might notice that it is a little easier to hit those high notes or you might not run out of air as quickly when singing a long phrase. You might see a change in your ability to match pitch or to feel the beat. Everyone is unique and develops at a different pace.
How can I find my range?
Simply sing along with the “range-finding track” in each of our courses and notate where you started feeling comfortable (not too low) and where it started feeling too high. The goal is to never push or strain your way to a larger range. Instead, we want to gently stretch and gradually ease into new extended pitches.
Most singers will notice an expansion of range after completing the first course.
How do I sing along to your exercises on my own?
Each exercise includes instructions and/or a demonstration of the singer performing the exercise. You will be able to sing along with the guide vocal each time so no worries about getting lost!
I sing in the shower but don’t sing in public. Can you help me gain confidence to do that?
Absolutely! Most people lack confidence because they don’t trust their voice to do what they want it to do. As you gain the ability to control your pitch, volume, tone, diction and style, you will begin feeling more comfortable. Increased comfort will usually lead to increased confidence!
This will hopefully lead you to feeling more open to singing in public. Also, don’t beat yourself up, it is very common to feel anxious before a performance because you care about the outcome. (This is even common with celebrity singers!)
My best advice is to try it out once you feel inspired! Singing for a well trusted friend or family member first might be easiest (remind them that you aren’t wanting a critique yet, just moral support)!
Requirements to be a singer
Do I need to read music?
Absolutely not. While I think reading music is a great skill to build, singing does not require you to read music. It is more important to build your listening skills.
There may come a time that learning to read music could drastically improve your chances of performing, but having a strong ear and the ability to hear notes and rhythms will take you a very long way!
Do I need to play an instrument ?
Nope! Playing an instrument is not necessary at all. It can make learning to sing a bit easier because you will already have a strong sense of pitch and rhythm. The most useful tool when studying voice is your ability to listen closely!
Get those gorgeous ears ready to listen and learn!!
Do I need any previous music knowledge?
At Flameleaf there is no need to be intimidated if you don’t have musical knowledge or a formal music background. We like to present each lesson using concepts that are challenging to your voice but easy to understand!
Singing in Different Styles
Can I try singing different styles?
Yes! Our programs are perfect for trying out a variety of styles. Exercises will incorporate elements of pop, rock, jazz, choral music, country and r&b.
There are specific traits that make each style sound authentic. By learning to emulate these stylistic concepts, you will teach your voice different ways to change tone and articulation.
If you decide you have found your tried and true genre of choice, you may prefer looking into our advanced courses (coming soon) that specifically focus on stylistically appropriate exercises.
What if I would like to try a style you don’t cover?
Most musical styles will utilize some of the same vocal qualities and coordinations that are covered in our provided styles. If you are wanting something specific and don’t see it here, we are always open to new ideas for style specific exercises so send us an email with your requests!
I would like an exercise routine that is custom made for my voice. Can you help me?
We are able to create new personalized warmups and exercises by request for a fee. Please contact us at info@flameleafvocalacademy.com with the subject line SPECIAL CUSTOM ORDER and we will contact you asap for more information!
Want more personalized help with your singing?
Can I get some personal guidance?
Absolutely. We offer personalized remote voice lessons with Susan Hanlon and her colleagues at FVA. For more information, please contact us at info@flameleafvocalacademy.com
I can already sing a little. How can you help me?
By focusing on specific areas of vocal development, we can help improve your agility, range, pitch, tone, and harmonizing abilities! To schedule a vocal placement interview, contact us at info@flameleafvocalacademy.com and we will let you know what level of study would benefit you most depending upon your current skill set.