NOVA ACADEMY'S FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHEN SHOULD I GET A VOCAL INSTRUCTOR?
Making the decision to invest in vocal instruction depends on a couple factors.

Is your voice able to hande the demands of your kind of music? There is a big difference between the vocal needs of an opera singer and the vocal technique of a cabaret, jazz or standards singer. If you’re having trouble meeting the vocal demands for your style of music, you should invest in some voice lessons.

reasons to STUDY voice
You sing flat or sharp often. You voice has no power unless you scream.
You have a limited range (can't sing very high or low)
Your voice gets tired quickly (signs of vocal fatigue: your voice cracks, your throat feels strained or tight, you lose your high or low notes, or you get hoarse).
You can't sing in tune, and matching pitches is hard is difficult.
You think you might be tone-deaf.

Speaking professionals (TEACHERS, MINISTERS, PRESENTERS)
Consider getting help if your voice isn't "there" when you need it. Call NOVA Academy to see if a coaching session will help correct your problem areas, or if vocal lessons are in order.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?
No. Students range from teens to the retired and everything in between study vocal technique. Desire and personal commitment, not age, is the most important consideration. However, because voice lessons require strengthening certain muscular processes, prepubescent singers should focus on rudiments of music theory, diction and artistic interpretation, such as are offered in NOVAA’s Class Voice program of study.

ARE THERE PREREQUISITES?

No. A brief interview discussing a student’s understanding of music theory, keyboard skills, ear-training and technical terms is held to determine music education and performance levels. Based on these findings, a course of study is structured for optimum vocal growth.

WHAT IS COVERED IN VOICE LESSONS?
We generally spend half of each session warming up and working on TECHNIQUE:

muscular workouts to increase breath support
strengthen and expand vocal range
create and refine vowel and consonant articulations
equalize areas of the vocal range, creating one voice rather than many
posture (yes, it really IS important!)
relaxation techniques

The other half of the session is spent applying that technique to PERFORMANCE SKILLS:

analysing the text of the song for movement cues
bringing the song to life, musically and dramatically
working on songs that are good for your voice
audition preparation, etc.

A singer needs both solid technique and the ability to express. It's an exciting journey that can yield great results.

DAILY TIME REQUIREMENTS

New students need to practice for thirty minutes daily. As your body gains strength in vocal coordination, you may practice exercises for half an hour daily and then spend additional time on repertoire.

HOW MANY LESSONS DO I NEED?

Vocal training requires development of muscles; therefore, students should not expect overnight changes in their singing. NOVAA Instructors help you determine how much you should practice on a daily/weekly basis, depending on such factors as age and physical maturity. Younger singers will find that growing a solid vocal technique relates with the physical maturation process. Adults should develop a healthy vocal technique within 2 years of study, providing they maintain a regular practice schedule.

HOW MUCH DOES TRAINING COST?

Voice Lessons are priced according to age, experience level, and length of session, starting at $80 per month. Classes, studios and workshops are extremely affordable, compared to similar courses offered at local colleges and universities. .

MATERIALS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A piano or electronic keyboard is necessary for at-home practice. A private practice area with a long mirror is recommended. Studies in languages other than English are required. In order to perform in recitals, participants must memorize assigned literature. Students are required to record their lessons and review information between lessons (audio equipment is provided; students bring their own tapes.)

AM I TONE-DEAF?

Tone-deafness is an inability to accurately reproduce a note of music. People who are tone deaf often sing off-key, no matter how hard they try. However, true tone deafness is actually quite uncommon; what is more common is the inability to recognize pitches. A vocal teacher can tell you if you are actually clinically tone-deaf. Most likely you are not and simply need to work on improving your hearing and pitch. Voice lessons can help tremendously – part of the process is learning how to hear and reproduce notes accurately with your voice. NOVAA also offers Ear-training Fundamentals for those who have trouble staying in key or matching pitches.

What Is a Trained Voice Teacher?

There is quite a bit more to teaching voice than learning pitches and rhythms. Teaching voice is NOT like teaching flute. The voice is a living instrument; if an under-qualified instructor doesn't know what he or she is doing -- doesn't know how a voice develops physically from childhood through adulthood, doesn't understand the mechanics of vocal production, and cannot troubleshoot where a singer's problems lie, SERIOUS, possibly IRREVERSIBLE damage can happen to a voice.

It isn’t easy for inexperienced students to find an expert voice instructor. Many “teachers” are simply singers who have taken lessons and are attempting to recreate the process with untrained performers. Even some professionals (untrained choir directors, drama instructors or accompanists) believe they know how to teach singers because they have experience in vocal music. Authorities agree that the best voice teachers have studied vocal pedagogy, which involves observing the teaching process for many hours, months and even years. This process conditions a practitioner’s ear for the acoustic and physical progressions that students must undergo in order to achieve healthy vocal coordinations. Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher about their training, and make sure they know how to guide you to a technique that will allow you to sing for a lifetime.

Are you ready for Private Voice?
Private Voice uses a variety of musical examples for study; students need to have a fair comprehension of music theory, terminology, and some keyboard skills. Also, because voice study requires the strengthening of muscular processes, pre-pubescent singers should focus develop the learning to read music, diction and artistic interpretation.

NOVAA’s Class Voice introduces inexperienced singers to the vocal instrument. When you call for more information, an instructor will conduct a brief interview discussing your understanding of music theory, keyboard skills, and technical terms to determine music education and performance levels. Based on these findings, NOVAA will recommend a program for your optimum vocal growth. NOVAA also offers music theory studies at a reasonable price in Music Fundamentals Class.