Music Teacher Eliza Fyfe
Music TeacherForum Replies Created
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Hi Nina!
So as Josh says, definitely disable (or set to “low” in the updated version of Zoom) for “Suppress persistent background noise” as this stops sound cutting out and allows a smoother overlap of conversation. Everything he says about enabling original sound is bang on, so I won’t repeat what he’s said!
The only other setting you need to make sure is in place is your echo cancellation being set to “auto” – it’s the worst thing ever when you can hear yourself feeding back!!
Finding these settings: settings cog in Zoom or by the arrow next to “mute” during a call. Then audio settings, then advanced for some of these settings we’ve mentioned, depending on what version of Zoom you’re running. The latest version has the echo cancellation setting in the advanced section.
Hope that helps!
Good luck!
Eliza
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Good for you, Ben. Let us know how it goes!
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Everyone wants to see me naked.
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no!
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Funny you should say that, I was on my phone making notes on her lessons and she went “what are you doing on your phone?” As if to have caught me out with her partially working blurred left eye.
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ermmm I just try to not sound too intimidating and annoying, and explain things clearly and slowly…
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I teach her naked.
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…and patience!
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I find teaching the blind woman difficult because you realise there’s more issues than blindness. Like listening, believe it or not…
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I’m thinking lots of diaphragm help, posture will be interesting…
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Yes, that’s quite something!
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I have a blind woman…?
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I love this!!
21 times though… wow! If only I had such discipline in my own practice!
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How many students are of a certain age and gender? How many of them practice?! Lol
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So I have a singing lesson anniversary spreadsheet, and this post prompted me to update it!
Subsequently, I found this info fun to work out (I know how to have fun on a Friday night):
Out of 33 active students, this is how many have been having regular lessons and how long for:
12 of them: 2 months-1 year (36.3%)
14 of them: Over a year-4 years (42.4%)
7 of them: Over 4 years-8 years (21.2%)Agree that stats would be very handy!
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Wow that post! I want to play them
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creepy!
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Hi Andy!
What have you tried? I’ve managed to solve this issue by using these methods below, but you may have already tried them:
First, strengthen the high chest voice, before the transition:
– Call out “Hey!” “Oi!” “Yeah!” to access a clear, high chest tone which gets the reflex strong sound out
– Scales that are “ma” rather than vowel sounds as it stops too much airflow
– 5th Slides on a hum to “iron” out the breathiness and connect with the coreThen when it flips to falsetto:
– Suddenly dip the volume so they’re not pushing more air through (I find that they forget that this is a much less “forced” sound than the chest voice) it has to be just the right balance of airflow in order to create a clear, pure tone. It may only be achieved at an even higher part of their voice
– Get them to sing like they’re yawning to get the back of their throat to open
– Also think of a “choir boy” or “opera” sound to help them mimic what this might sound like!
– Get them to do the slides again in order to assess which notes can come through clearlyI hope this helps but I imagine you’ve already tried – some male voices just don’t have much of a falsetto range..!
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In fact I didn’t even know you’re not supposed to take antihistamines before singing!
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I’m barely managing my own hay fever:)
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Very tricky… one of my teachers just told me a very similar story! I think what you’re doing is great – the most you can possibly do! Just ask the student what they feel is the best way to go forward at this stage? Do they feel like they’re moving forward even if it’s just in the smallest way?
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Hi Mark,
Thanks so much for your response – that really helps and makes sense!
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Thanks Matthew (sorry about not disguising names!) that’s good advice – I didn’t get a chance to let her off though as she was so abrupt and final!
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Can’t help with the school info I’m afraid but had to agree with the MGR app:)
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That was a very interesting read (I’m just in a cafe catching up on admin!) I particularly like the idea of students making a note of when they practice. I might get them to do this on the MGR website. Short and achievable makes sense – I try to get students to see practice as something to be enjoyed, not a chore, even though I am guilty of this myself, in my own practice. Good relationship with the parents for the young ones that need to monitor their practice more effectively is all great. This has really made me think about how to assess their practice more, so thanks for this! I certainly have too many students skipping practice and not really moving forward as much as I’d like them too. It’s mainly adults though, so it’s sort of down to them and they enjoy their lessons for different reasons (less goal-focused as much as the kids for example, as it’s a nice hobby/escape from their hectic lives!)
No resource can fix a bored student – well said, couldn’t agree more!
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I buy/produce backing tracks, provide warm ups by mp3/online stream, give them notes at the end of each lesson with tips. I also record them within the lesson (just a basic phone recorder) if there’s more tailored warm ups or techniques they need to remember for later
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Oh! I have a 50 year old who can’t say “v” and says “th” instead. A mystery! Harder to teach an old dog new tricks though…
I also have your exact issue with a student my age – I think it’s her Kent accent! So apparently I’m struggling with the adults!
I’ve used the same methods as you and it can work when they’re thinking about it. Sorry to not be of further help but I imagine Matt Pocock might be, if he reads this. Would be interested on people’s thoughts on this as I imagine it’s more about elocution/speech therapy which I think Matt knows more about?
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Done! I was pleased at how happy, not frustrated nor tired I seem with my job:)
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Yeah, you’re technically not supposed to but if you don’t bother anyone, it should be okay…!
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If it helps, I’m in the basement and no one seems to mind/hear much! And it’s been 4 years:)
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My advice would always be to check with neighbours first as I’ve had issues in the past! Neighbours seem fine once you inform them of your teaching times.
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My favourite petals are rose ones:) I don’t know that they’ll be of help though? Like me…:)
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That sounds great – I could have done with this sort of training!
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Completely the same and in agreement with Leigh!
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Hi Gemma,
I make sure they are given terms and conditions upon booking. Stress that you are very booked up and you just have to hope that they respect that it’s your income, and still pay if they cancel. Make sure they’re aware that no exceptions are made. It’s all you can do!
Eliza
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I’m saying Sunday!?
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I think Guzel and I are still at it:)
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So true about physical and mental stimulation! I go to gym classes most mornings, mainly to ensure I actually get out of bed!
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I go to the gym in the mornings (so that I don’t just lie in!) then start work around midday (general admin/life issues), do a lot of leisurely lunching (!) then teach 4-7ish. Then I either rehearse with my band or run my choir! I also teach all day Saturday.
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There have been very near naked lessons too.
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Good times, good professional times:)
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Try waking up to a doorbell which is a student
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I don’t have to rent as I teach from home. No one has had an issue with the notice though, in my year of teaching
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It’s ok, I’m happy with my set up, it’s just how to make it fair the other way around. I think it’s fair… because if they’re ill they lose money, if I’m ill, I lose money.
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I don’t know how this has come up again as it’s a year old, but if you guys want an update, the daughter actually still has lessons and all is going well now… no further hiccups as of yet!
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So do mine!
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Ah yes! You’re the man to help. Can you teach me? Maybe at our workshop this week!?
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Hi,
I teach from my flat – I am very lucky that my neighbours and letting agency don’t mind! But in order to move forward, premises would be better in the future so I’d like to hear what other people do too, and at what prices.
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I’d like to add that I did everything Matthew suggested in his first point – I missed a lot of detail there! I also forgot to mention that at one point I introduced a “price increase discount” for existing students as an incentive and to show loyalty… so only a £2.50 increase for them and a fiver for new business… can’t remember when I did that, but it worked!
Oh, and I’ve gone past the £30 mark now, and that’s for Bristol, and still 100% booked up. I don’t know how long this will last though, as I’m aware enquiries can take a hit if you price yourself too high, so I certainly won’t be increasing again anytime soon. But if that’s for Bristol, Bath might be able to cope with higher amounts, as it’s a more affluent area I think… I don’t know what Matthew thinks…?!
And yes – teach from home if at all possible!
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Hi Jake,
So I’m in Bristol and have been teaching for 4 years. I inflated to £2.50 more after one year of teaching I think, as I took on a secondary teacher in Year 2. Then I inflated by £2.50 again the following year, then again but not for another 2 years (so this year). I think I’ll hold off for a while now so that I don’t price myself out of the market. And that’s working from home, fully booked, lessons back to back. I didn’t lose any students as it wasn’t a huge increase and everyone was pretty regular and happy with their lesson commitment. I would definitely push up those prices especially if you’re travelling to them!
I hope that helps?
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Wondering what you think Guzel Akhatova! Maybe I can tidy up the way I do things…
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Can I just ask – do you not just have a spreadsheet of block payments when it goes through your bank account which you update at the end of the month? Just interested as to how others’ admin works now!
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So I discovered IFTTT the other week – I use it for making sure instagram actually posts photos to twitter rather than links!
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Amazing guys!
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This is so cool! Where did you get it?
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Hi Wes – I’m a bit afraid of the 6-8 year old age range but I’ve done fun simple repetitive pop songs in the past like Price Tag or Can’t Stop The Feeling, but don’t know a lot about musical theatre I’m afraid… maybe some Disney?? 9-11 year olds are a good age for knowing what they like and they tend to have their own ideas. Then of course with 12-18 year olds you can do more advanced songs! I think I’ve just stated the obvious here, sorry..!
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That is ridiculous – I actually can’t believe the parents would allow that. Unbelievable!
It’s a 48 hour cancellation policy for me, even if they’re ill – they still pay the full lesson price. I’m strict with this because it’s a fair system that everyone respects. If I’m ill, I lose the money too.
I have had to send an email asking them to actually be okay with losing the money and try not to come if they’re riddled freshly with illness…! I offer a piano/theory lesson alternative if they feel too croaky to sing and don’t want to lose out on the lesson.
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I am always honest if a little blunt with those sorts of parents. And if they don’t like my opinion, then I am quite happy for them to find another teacher who has different values about doing what’s best for the student…
It may be harsh, but I find it unfair on the child as it is their extra-curricular activity and I want to be a good role model for young students, encouraging them to do what they love and watch their confidence grow as a result – I’m sure you’re the same. So always stick to those principles I say:)
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Hi Gemma,
Yes – so warm-up-wise, I find that long, open-throated vowel sounds help! So “yar yar yar” scales perhaps (in a posh English voice!) and focusing on each vowel with a more dropped jaw and open throat (ask her to make each sound with a slight yawn). I also find that arpeggios over “Bella Senora” is great for that. Just singing it as “poshly” as possible!
Song-wise, perhaps listening to a bit of London Grammar? If you can get the student to mimic this sound as she clearly mimics easily if she’s picked up the American accent. Tom Jones is another good example of a singer with that rich, open-throated sound!
Hope that helps:) good luck!
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Goodness! That age is bizarre… I personally wouldn’t teach that young, I tried a lesson with a 6 year old once and she cried (I wasn’t that bad!) so my limit is 8!
I’m sure other teachers have better experiences than me though and it sounds like one of those teachers is you so well done!
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Click here to read more information about this topic – https://musicteacher.kinsta.cloud/community/groups/music-teachers/forum/topic/students-cant-sing-in-tune-singing-teachers/
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Finally just listened – good stuff!
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My business page is: https://www.facebook.com/elizafyfeteaching
And go on then, https://www.facebook.com/elizafyfemusic -
I’m up for that! Just invite me to all of your stuff people!
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Wow Lewis, you are on it, I like it! Well you both are!
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Matt Pocock was an excellent help with this for me. It’s always a scary move, especially with existing students who have been with you for years!
So I used to be £25 for 45 mins and £30 for an hour. In January, I finally made the bold move to up the prices to £30 for 45 minutes. (I now only offer 45 min lessons, as it’s actually a lot more lucrative when you do back-to-back lessons like I do, without sounding too greedy!!)
But with my existing students, I chose to only increase to £27.50 for 45 mins. With Matt’s help, I communicated the price change to my current students with this email (which you are welcome to steal – I actually stole some of the wording from Matt anyway!!)
Dear Students/Parents,
Firstly I want to thank you again for those involved in the Perfect Day video. It’s had a positive response in the media and the video plays are growing and growing – keep sharing!
Secondly, I want to thank you for your continued lessons and I hope you feel you are making good progress because I certainly do and am very proud
Unfortunately, due to having to expand the business and take on a PA in the new year, I’m having to increase the prices of my lessons. Yep, it’s a little annoying, I know. But I didn’t think it was fair to load you with an extra bill for the same lessons you’ve had before. So instead of a £30 lesson for 45 minutes, the students who were here before the price increase (that means you!) will get a discount of £2.50 per lesson.
So as of the new year, or the start of your next block of lessons, the price of 45 mins will be £27.50 per lesson including your discount.
Please feel free to call me on the number below if you want to discuss anything – I’m always happy to help.
Best Wishes,
Eliza
I didn’t lose any student! And now I have around 50/50 on the old and new price format. It’s all worked out well! Hope that’s helped.
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Lol, I didn’t realise my student video would come out quite so large. It now looks like I’m doing a massive plug. (Maybe I am?!)
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Hi Josh!
I see your point and I too am a computer email voucher type person. You would surely know who you had issued vouchers to and who you were awaiting vouchers from though?
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Interesting…!!
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Hi
Really glad this has come up as I am dealing with a refund myself. I actually enforced a £5 deduction fee to cover admin costs (as I even had to go out and POST the vouchers would you believe!!!!!) which was cheeky as I hadn’t mentioned it in the T’s & C’s (which I will now do!) but the guy accepted it nonetheless. But perhaps this isn’t enough. Me and Georgia (my PA) have been wondering what to do in this situation. Either an 85% refund or no refund at all after a certain amount of time… not sure!
Also, Matthew, even if we take voucher payment fully and upfront, do you only take commission once the lesson is had, as obviously it starts showing up on spreadsheets and invoices? I probably already know this to be a yes, as this is what I’ve been doing…!
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Oh my god 50 hours.. that’s what’s doing it!! I only do 19 hours of teaching!
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Literally the exact same problem as you, word for word!
I find getting vocal training myself is always useful. Getting another professionals perspective!
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Hi Andy,
I saw this too – it seemed to be doing the rounds with singing teachers on Facebook! I think it’s completely spot on! What do you think?
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Yes that was hard – I actually messed up on the rhythm of one of the technical exercises and felt like a total idiot for not realising they were quavers (as you can pre-prepare these for God’s sake!!) but somehow managed to scrape a distinction so I was pretty pleased. Was ill on the day too! Which they don’t care about by the way.
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Brilliant – what did you get?
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What songs did you do for your Rock School Grade 8 Beckie, and how did you find it all? When did you do it?
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Hi Emma!
Welcome I have only done Rock School, and just Grade 1 with two students (most of mine just learn for fun) but I highly recommend it – I even put myself through Grade 8 through RS and enjoyed the structure and what it covers! Both students passed and it was more in keeping with the style I teach!
Read up on it here: https://www.rslawards.com/
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Hi Danny – so true! To be honest, I can’t stand it when anyone learns from a tab most of the time, as I definitely trust my ear more anyway…
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Interesting, so it’s HELPING the singing teacher! Actually I’m going to go back on what I said – I actually only encourage Youtube for piano help rather than singing..
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I encourage YouTube for when I’m not around (e.g. between lesson practice!). But nothing beats the 1-2-1 experience! There’s always limits to what Youtube can offer you, especially with singing as you can’t just copy in the same way. I think it’s fruitful having several resources!
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Really great question and relevant to what I’m doing at the moment with an 8 year old! She is my youngest at the moment and while I adore her natural, sweet “high larynx” sound, I am trying to get her to practise dropping the larynx (using the yawn) in order to achieve a warmer, deeper tone. She sort of gets it, but finds it weird and funny! I am not too worried about it at this stage, as this will happen naturally as she gets older. I don’t know whether to push it; we are only at the start of lessons so perhaps I’ll see if I can re-introduce this idea in a different song choice. Something jazzy maybe. Would be really interesting to hear other teachers’ views on this!
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I have just started doing ear tests and more theory actually. Also grades through Rock School.
But really everyone just wants a confidence boost, so I just go through a selection of warm ups and exercises to improve certain techniques then take them through the song they want to do. Then I work them towards a recording a performance – usually both!
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Matthew gave me a good tip for this – triple the price and minus 10. That way, it’s not actually triple the 1-2-1 price and it still works out cheaper for the individual student going to a lesson with others rather than on their own, yet you earn waaay more:)
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Just listened to your stuff (sorry it was so late) it’s great! Your voice is very interesting. And I love that photo of you!
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I love how we are doing some late-night fresh topic posting, Kat.
Well now, since you ask, I have 3 bands and a choir!
My a cappella group, Chicapella (https://soundcloud.com/chicapella)
My acoustic duo with Sean (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL-wlME3w4s)
My big band, Up The Function (10-piece funk/soul band, no media as of yet. Will post when you’re itching for more…)
Vocal Harmony Choir (https://www.facebook.com/Vocal-Harmony-Bristol-833872946691622/)Oh, and just me: https://soundcloud.com/elizafyfe
God that was so spammy!
What about you?
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Might be worth her going to the doctors in that case. Otherwise, trying steaming?
Your Song is a great option, I use Ellie Goulding’s version for beginner singers who are a little quieter/shyer and there’s only really one high bit… give it a go, definitely rather than eliminating the high range completely. It may just take practice, but in small doses, which that song is perfect for! Good luck:)
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Yes, good ideas there.
I can’t believe I have to tell my students (who are mainly adults!) to practice WITHOUT the original vocal?! And also practice in chunks and only move on when you’re confident.. I had a girl come to me saying “yep, completely fine with Warwick Avenue – if anything, it’s probably too easy for me.” So I said, “great, let’s hear it!” and stuck on a backing track. She couldn’t follow the melody AT ALL.
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On point Kat
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Unless you’re talking mixed voice? I would still get a confident head voice first, before blending. If she can hold a good strong head voice, she should be ok with the “gear change” rather than straining.
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Yes. I find it helps the singer stay in a pure, relaxed, open throat position! Or even loud “whooping”! But sustaining it. Record her and we can hear how she goes perhaps?
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Once she is in the high register after doing slides, can she sing up there? Have you suggested that she tries to sing in a mock opera voice with any song?
She sounds husky in the recording, probably due to the cold! She is just literally not flipping over into the head voice at all which HAS to be isolated like it’s a separate person! This is what I do anyway. So only sing that high ending part on its own, getting her to open her throat like a yawn. “Ooo” vowel sounds are great for this. Hope it helps!
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Yes that’s a good idea I think, regarding prices.
Yes I am back-to-back – I love it! Here’s a screen shot of my spreadsheet timetable if it helps!
https://ibin.co/2gbL3ZcY8zKL.png (I’m an organisational freak, just to warn you!)
Crossover is fine as it actually enables the students to meet and even listen to each other, which they don’t mind doing as most are regulars and aren’t so shy anymore!
The music conveyor belt lol, that’s pretty much what my flat is like. I even joke saying “one in, one out!” NEXT!
But on a serious note, they all get their full time and even a little chat and if it all runs over by 5/10 minutes it’s not a big deal – everyone is fine with it.
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Bang on Kat, as always.
In answer to your questions Ben:
How much do you charge? When I was starting out, it was £25 for 45 mins and £30 for an hour. Then I switched to only teaching 45 min sessions, and raised that price to £27.50 for my existing students and £30 for newcomers. A year later, I became £30 for everyone for 45 mins. £40 for an hour if it’s asked for.
Have you tested different pricing? (premium pricing vs average) Increments as above which allowed me to see how students responded. Nearly everyone stayed! New people still kept coming at a normal rate.
If not, what makes you think that what you charge hits the sweet spot between clients gained and money made? I think I fall in the above average with my pricing (although I’m not entirely sure these days if I’m honest!) but as said above, I didn’t really lose any business and kept all my slots full and new people coming. So I earned a lot more and was a happy buzzy bee!
Should I put my prices up or my time down and offer just 45 minute sessions? Or both? BOTH!
Should I have different prices for guitar and singing lessons? I charge the same for singing and piano lessons, personally. And I link them a lot, so it’s similar workload and time.
Hope this helps…
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Oh and this goes to everyone: don’t be put off by the minority of dick heads there are out there. Don’t let them make you feel used and undervalued. It’s all in the attitude of the individual, so don’t let them make you doubt how you do things. Cut people like that out and don’t waste more of your valuable time on them. Spend time on those who honour and respect you.
This also applies to life in general.
Wow, wish I could follow my own advice!
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Chris – free tasters are great when you’re starting out. That’s what I did. But now you’ve grown your business by the sounds of it, so nothing is for free as your time is more valuable due to there being less of it! See it as a positive:)
Agree payment/free session BEFORE you meet this guy if I were you!
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Funny you should bring this up Beckie, as Facebook alerted me to “on this day” and it turns out that 3 years ago today I was posting my Gumtree ad to Facebook with my 30 min free taster lessons when I started out! It went very well actually, but obviously you have to prepare to be “used” I suppose..!
Meanwhile, one time I had an enquiry from Matthew which was someone asking me if they could send a recording of themselves for me to judge. I just said I don’t do that – it’s far better to judge in person, which by the way, costs!!!
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Hey Rosie,
I would go with your gut – if it’s telling you this person doesn’t want to pay for the trial, it may not be a good sign. But perhaps I have become cynical, and Matt makes a very good point. I think you need to tell them how much the trial would cost so that they know that your time is money.. and that you are happy to speak on the phone (I hate talking on the phone too, but rather that than meet someone and do what I would do in a first lesson anyway – but for free!)
Hope this helps!
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Or better still (sorry Chris) Ticketsource, as the booking fee is charged straight away to the person booking rather than you! Their customer service is excellent too: they’ll help you use the website over the phone. You can scan in guests from the bar code on their booking email, using the Ticketsource app.
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That’s the plan!:) thanks for your input
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My problem is having to choose students as I can’t fit in all the keen performers, then I feel like I’m taking away the opportunity I promise them from the start. Especially if I’m doing fewer events. I have to choose the “good” or “experienced ” or “ready” students – but how do I tell keen ones that they won’t be doing it this time and explain why? I have to start doing that this week.. Even though fewer events are bigger (double event in March) it’s because of fitting in my secondary teachers’ students, not all of mine!
