[Guest Teacher]

The snapchat idea is excellent! I also find that getting them used to the idea of making silly noises early on is really helpful, as so often in singing you’re trying to make a “nice” sound, which can actually be quite restricting!

[Guest Teacher]

Yes Monika! Totally agree with physical warm-ups as well as vocal.

One thing that I’ve found works really well with my students is setting them the challenge of performing in front of a family member/house mate at home. Even if it’s through the door! By eliminating the idea of “oooh, what if someones listening, what if someones judging, what if what if what if” and actually performing with the attitude of “I can” gets rid of any of their nerves about singing or even just being loud in someone else’s company. They can perform warm-ups or songs as long as someone other than me (the teacher) hears/sees/knows that they are learning to sing.

I hope that makes sense.
XX

[Guest Teacher]

Eliza! Great Idea about the practice room. I always love going somewhere with soundproofing and really going for it.
It’s a great idea suggesting things like that to students and lots of students especially Uni students don’t want to sing at home because they are worried what their mates and people around them will think.

Might try this tactic myself, however, some of my singing students won’t be able to afford it outside my lesson which does add another debate to “What to do when students won’t practice?”

[Guest Teacher]

Hi Kat

No she isn’t able to sing them at all, I decided to do something a little different with her and discovered that it isn’t just about confidence but also about being so frustrated with herself that she shuts down.

I spoke to her about it at the end of her lesson last week and we had a much better lesson this week. She said she wasn’t as frustrated and that she came in with a more determined attitude. So yes confidence is an issue with her but more than that she just get’s so frustrated with herself that she gives up trying for a while. I have given her the tracks and things that she needs and told her to sing scales at home so hopefully she will practice. However, much like Eliza is finding she has never practiced before as she has never sung in front of her family before. I’ve challenged her to sing for them but no luck yet.

[Guest Teacher]

Thanks for this Eliza! This is great, at the end of the day it all seems to come down to patience.

I really don’t mind as long as she is having fun and enjoys it. I only get frustrated because I see the potential in her and I know that she can really sing and her confidence is the only thing that is getting in the way.

I will experiment with a few different things and see what she responds to best.