Over the last few years, there has been a sea change regarding remote working and learning. Due to lockdowns, employees and students took to the net to carry on working and studying respectively.
In 2020, about 75% of undergraduate students undertook distance learning. This meant that 11.8 million undergraduates were being tutored online at least part-time. Even as the pandemic eased and schools reopened online tutoring has continued to be seen as a valuable tool for education.
Once the preserve of ESL teachers, online learning has expanded to numerous subjects. And there is no reason why this technology cannot be harnessed by vocal coaches to help singers.
Why are vocal coaches going virtual?
One of the main reasons for offering virtual singing lessons is convenience. One vocal coach in Nashville is using the internet to bring online voice lessons to a wider audience.
To keep up with improvements, a student might be recommended to take one singing lesson a week. An hourly lesson along with practice at home will help a singer continually improve. However, if a singer wanted to learn in this Nashville studio, they would face having to travel each week, and the expense associated with it.
Online singing lessons bring opportunities to more students while also letting vocal coaches reach further afield than their local area. Singing coaches can then spread their knowledge and experience further afield.
And in a time where the cost of living is big news. Being able to learn from a vocal coach online, presents some financial benefits too.
How is modern technology being used to help singers improve?
As long as you have no physical impairments to your vocal cords, you will be able to sing. Of course, some people sound better than others. And some people take their singing voices to levels others cannot reach.
However, everyone can sing to some degree, especially with technology. With vocal coaching, a newcomer will be able to learn techniques to help them with pitch and tone. Yet, many people lack the confidence to start singing lessons.
Any form of online tutoring gives the student the comfort of learning from their home. When in familiar surroundings, students feel more comfortable and confident. And so it is with beginner singers also.
Today, singers of any standard benefit from modern tech and apps such as the following.
Online singing lessons – virtual coaching
As you have already read, vocal coaches are helping singers to improve their talents online. Through the use of Zoom and Skype plus an internet connection, vocal coaches can reach singers anywhere in the world now.
Mobile apps for singers
There are countless apps aimed at musicians now. Not surprisingly, these apps vary in terms of usefulness and quality.
Four apps that singers might find useful are these:
- Perfect Piano
- Songwriter’s Pad
- Sing! Karaoke
- Singer’s Friend
Each of these apps is aimed at vocalists but in a different way. Sing! Karaoke is a fun way to practice by singing popular songs, and the app has a vast library of tunes to choose from. Singer’s Friend though is aimed at helping vocalists warm up properly and get the best out of their voices.
Perfect piano isn’t aimed so much at someone wanting to learn the piano, but at pianists who want to improve their vocals. The app helps singers to get in the right key and improve their pitch.
Finally, Songwriter’s Pad is for those vocalists who also want to write lyrics. This app stores lyrics on the go and is designed to help streamline songwriting.
GarageBand
Apple’s popular DAW comes free with all Macs and iPads. The app can also be used on iPhones making it one of the most convenient ways for singers to record their music.
Auto-tune
This software was designed to discreetly correct a singer’s pitch for recordings. In 1998, Cher released the first track using Auto-tune, and it changed how singers used technology forever. While Auto-tune can make vocal recordings sound pitch-perfect, it isn’t a replacement for proper vocal training.
What benefits are there from online singing lessons?
Online singing lessons are convenient. This is clear. But, singers will benefit from learning online in many ways.
Consider the following:
- Time zones
- Geography
- Travel times
- Cost of travel
- Work schedules
- Choice of vocal coaches
No matter where a budding singer is based, they will be able to take a singing lesson. Geography and time zones can be worked around by finding a vocal coach that suits the singer’s lifestyle. This would be particularly beneficial for a singer performing regularly who wants to improve in some areas.
There is also the time and cost associated with travel to consider. A one-hour singing lesson online will take just that. But, a one-hour singing lesson in another town might take up two or three hours including travel.
What will you learn from a virtual voice coach?
Singers can benefit greatly from available technology. Songwriting apps help singers with lyric ideas. And karaoke apps can bring some fun to practice sessions. However, vocal coaching will help a student in ways that no app can.
If you are interested in singing as a career, then a vocal coach is a must. Virtual singing coaches are highly beneficial to professional singers when they want advice or help but are far away.
As for helping singers in general, online vocal coaches will improve and teach the following:
- Vocal range
- Posture
- Breathing
- When to rest
- Advice on performing
- Harmony
- Vibrato
- Music theory
Vocal coaches help singers to look after their voice as well as improve it. Proper technique will lead to a more pleasant singing voice and improved range. Singing teachers understand how to exercise vocal cords without straining or damaging them.
While mobile apps can help singers with certain areas such as lyric ideas and warm-up exercises, they won’t be able to teach singers correct posture or how to ready themselves for a live performance. Most vocal coaches will either be singers or ex-singers. One-on-one teaching online or in-person gives singers the chance to benefit from the coach’s real-world experience.
Are virtual singing lessons for everyone?
As you probably know, life as a pro-musician involves discipline and practice. And so does online learning. For a singer to truly benefit from virtual vocal coaching, they will have to ensure they continue with regular lessons.
All singers must put in their own time to practice the exercises and techniques they learned from their vocal coaches. Otherwise, progression will be slow.
If you are the type of person who has the drive to improve then online learning will work. Singers who can push themselves but are far from their preferred vocal coach can use online singing lessons.
One major consideration before embarking on virtual vocal lessons is your surroundings. Online learning of any type requires a suitable environment without distractions. If that can be arranged then virtual singing lessons may be for you.
Summary
As long as you choose the right singing course, and stay motivated, virtual vocal lessons might be the perfect way for you to progress in your singing career. Vocal coaches are using the internet to reach students who are unable to visit their studios.
This is very beneficial to singers who want to take long-term lessons but can’t travel, or for those who want a few lessons in the short term for polishing up certain areas of their vocals.
Apps and resources are useful to singers. But, a real vocal coach will help a singer improve through proper techniques and exercises. With the internet, anyone can take singing lessons.
