Comments on: Approaching teaching the extremely young private voice student http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/ Tips and Resources for Private Music Teachers and Performers everywhere! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:51:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rachel Velarde http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-124749 Rachel Velarde Tue, 02 Nov 2010 05:42:53 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-124749 Yes - this was one of the main points brought up at the NATS Conference this past July. Children ARE singing at this young age, and so they need to be taught how to sing correctly. Otherwise, a lifetime of bad habits can become ingrained....and yes, it is alarming that many of our most talented and self-motivated young singers are receiving their vocal instruction from those for whom the singing voice is not their primary area of training. Keep it up! Yes – this was one of the main points brought up at the NATS Conference this past July. Children ARE singing at this young age, and so they need to be taught how to sing correctly. Otherwise, a lifetime of bad habits can become ingrained….and yes, it is alarming that many of our most talented and self-motivated young singers are receiving their vocal instruction from those for whom the singing voice is not their primary area of training. Keep it up!

]]> By: Catherine K. Brown http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-124747 Catherine K. Brown Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:24:05 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-124747 I teach children as young as 7 years old, if they are sufficiently interested and motivated. Most of my students in that age group are already singing in theater camps and classes, but have not received much (if any) vocal instruction. As a voice teacher, it is alarming to know that children are performing musical theater under the direction of actors who are not voice teachers. As far as I know, I am one of the only private voice teachers in my area who teaches children this young. I teach children as young as 7 years old, if they are sufficiently interested and motivated. Most of my students in that age group are already singing in theater camps and classes, but have not received much (if any) vocal instruction. As a voice teacher, it is alarming to know that children are performing musical theater under the direction of actors who are not voice teachers. As far as I know, I am one of the only private voice teachers in my area who teaches children this young.

]]> By: Rachel Velarde http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-124662 Rachel Velarde Sat, 23 Oct 2010 06:22:44 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-124662 Hi Jennifer - Your question was such a great one, that I just wrote a blog post about what's on my shelf in the studio for young students. Follow the post here: http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/where-to-start-when-searching-for-repertoire-for-young-students/. Thank you for the inspiration!! I didn't think just a comment could do it justice. Happy Singing! Rachel Hi Jennifer -
Your question was such a great one, that I just wrote a blog post about what’s on my shelf in the studio for young students. Follow the post here: http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/where-to-start-when-searching-for-repertoire-for-young-students/. Thank you for the inspiration!! I didn’t think just a comment could do it justice. Happy Singing!
Rachel

]]> By: Where to start when searching for Repertoire for Young Students « Music Teacher’s Helper Blog http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-124661 Where to start when searching for Repertoire for Young Students « Music Teacher’s Helper Blog Sat, 23 Oct 2010 06:17:39 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-124661 [...] wrote a post a while back about teaching the extremely young student. One of the comments I recently received asked about finding repertoire, and it inspired this [...] [...] wrote a post a while back about teaching the extremely young student. One of the comments I recently received asked about finding repertoire, and it inspired this [...]

]]> By: Jennifer VeStrand http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-124577 Jennifer VeStrand Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:15:37 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-124577 I teach private lessons in a private elementary/middle school and have quite a few young students. I really appreciate your advice here as I tend toward the "technical" side of things and then both the student and I are exasperated! I have found a tongue twister book--I don't have it in front of me right now-but it's a silly tongue twister warm up that the younger kids LOVE! Even the parents have fun with it. I would appreciate some song suggestions for the younger students? I have trouble finding songs that are "serious" enough but not too difficult/technical. Any book or song suggestions are welcome! Thanks so much! I teach private lessons in a private elementary/middle school and have quite a few young students. I really appreciate your advice here as I tend toward the “technical” side of things and then both the student and I are exasperated! I have found a tongue twister book–I don’t have it in front of me right now-but it’s a silly tongue twister warm up that the younger kids LOVE! Even the parents have fun with it.

I would appreciate some song suggestions for the younger students? I have trouble finding songs that are “serious” enough but not too difficult/technical. Any book or song suggestions are welcome! Thanks so much!

]]> By: Rachel Velarde http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-124438 Rachel Velarde Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:58:46 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-124438 Hello Jael - I'm so glad that my post is helping. Some young students can handle the serious approach, but most really need a large "helping of silly" to get and stay engaged. Just doing vocalizations that are not specifically singing sounds but that utilize the entire range or methods of articulation works really well. My young students also love when I ask them for their "words of the week." It gives them ownership AND puts me on the spot to make up a "new" exercise using the words we've chosen. Something else that my high school students enjoy is talking about imagery, etc., but then making sure I put it into their lesson notes, which MTH kindly emails to their parents. We often make a game out of how long it takes the parent to ask the student "what does singing on the front porch mean??" Play is vital, no matter the age. Keep up the good work! Rachel Hello Jael -
I’m so glad that my post is helping. Some young students can handle the serious approach, but most really need a large “helping of silly” to get and stay engaged. Just doing vocalizations that are not specifically singing sounds but that utilize the entire range or methods of articulation works really well. My young students also love when I ask them for their “words of the week.” It gives them ownership AND puts me on the spot to make up a “new” exercise using the words we’ve chosen.
Something else that my high school students enjoy is talking about imagery, etc., but then making sure I put it into their lesson notes, which MTH kindly emails to their parents. We often make a game out of how long it takes the parent to ask the student “what does singing on the front porch mean??”
Play is vital, no matter the age. Keep up the good work!
Rachel

]]> By: Jael Strong http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-124433 Jael Strong Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:28:52 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-124433 Thank you for the very informative post. My youngest student is nine years old and I have been feeling a bit stodgy during her lessons. She seems to enjoy them, but I think a bit more silliness is in order. Thank you for the very informative post. My youngest student is nine years old and I have been feeling a bit stodgy during her lessons. She seems to enjoy them, but I think a bit more silliness is in order.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-121789 Jessica Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:05:38 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-121789 Hello! I absolutely love teaching the young, motivated students! (I choose to say loosely that 7 is the youngest I will teach voice to, but it largely depends on the student). I personally feel that this is a wonderful time to begin learning the basics of singing concepts and techniques, and, above all---instilling a love for music and appreciation for voice as an instrument. Of course there are areas that one must proceed with more caution with the young voice, but it is also such an important time in their development, and it's a key time to start making good habits that many teenage and older students tend to ignore or forget if it's not already a habit. I use a lot of music games, love playing pretend with my young students in helping them to come up with background info and a scenario for their songs, and make any possible recitals a positive experience--regardless of how well the student does. There is so much creativity involved in the story-telling portion of a song, and so much wonderful age-appropriate repetoire to explore that with! Then, by the time they reach a more mature age, their basic singing skills and performance skills are quite advanced for their age. It is our responsibility as teachers to be honest with students and look out for their best interest---and I have been witness to the amazing things that young students can do if WE guide them and give them the tools!! Great article!! Hello! I absolutely love teaching the young, motivated students! (I choose to say loosely that 7 is the youngest I will teach voice to, but it largely depends on the student). I personally feel that this is a wonderful time to begin learning the basics of singing concepts and techniques, and, above all—instilling a love for music and appreciation for voice as an instrument. Of course there are areas that one must proceed with more caution with the young voice, but it is also such an important time in their development, and it’s a key time to start making good habits that many teenage and older students tend to ignore or forget if it’s not already a habit. I use a lot of music games, love playing pretend with my young students in helping them to come up with background info and a scenario for their songs, and make any possible recitals a positive experience–regardless of how well the student does. There is so much creativity involved in the story-telling portion of a song, and so much wonderful age-appropriate repetoire to explore that with! Then, by the time they reach a more mature age, their basic singing skills and performance skills are quite advanced for their age. It is our responsibility as teachers to be honest with students and look out for their best interest—and I have been witness to the amazing things that young students can do if WE guide them and give them the tools!! Great article!!

]]> By: Rachel Velarde http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-121725 Rachel Velarde Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:40:20 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-121725 Absolutely Christine! I am blessed to have taught the preschool music program Music Together for two years (before funding dried up from the school!). They are really brain-based research and my interest was really stimulated AND enriched by their approach to teaching music. If we, caring, committed, teachers won't teach the young students who WANT to sing to use a solid foundation there are, unfortunately, teachers out there who will teach students unhealthy habits. This is a tragedy, in my view, as it can take an extremely motivated singer and make it impossible for them to succeed in the long term. Take care, and keep it up! (also, feel free to "steal" my ideas any time you wish!) Absolutely Christine! I am blessed to have taught the preschool music program Music Together for two years (before funding dried up from the school!). They are really brain-based research and my interest was really stimulated AND enriched by their approach to teaching music.
If we, caring, committed, teachers won’t teach the young students who WANT to sing to use a solid foundation there are, unfortunately, teachers out there who will teach students unhealthy habits. This is a tragedy, in my view, as it can take an extremely motivated singer and make it impossible for them to succeed in the long term. Take care, and keep it up! (also, feel free to “steal” my ideas any time you wish!)

]]> By: Christine Schumann http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/approaching-teaching-the-extremely-young-private-voice-student/comment-page-1/#comment-121723 Christine Schumann Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:28:25 +0000 http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/?p=1197#comment-121723 Thank you, Rachel for the encouraging article. I too, teach a number of young vocalists. Two of my youngest at the moment (7 and 10) are very motivated and hard workers. Yes, I agree, SILLY is a big key to helping the students (all ages!)relax and be willing to put themselves out there to find those reference points for practicing new techniques. And I remind myself with the young voices, "Not too high, too low, or too loud" good guidelines to keep it healthy. I especially appreciate your discussion on how the younger mind takes in information. That is very helpful! I love the stream and leaf concept. I will add it to my tool box! Thank you, Rachel for the encouraging article. I too, teach a number of young vocalists. Two of my youngest at the moment (7 and 10) are very motivated and hard workers. Yes, I agree, SILLY is a big key to helping the students (all ages!)relax and be willing to put themselves out there to find those reference points for practicing new techniques. And I remind myself with the young voices, “Not too high, too low, or too loud” good guidelines to keep it healthy. I especially appreciate your discussion on how the younger mind takes in information. That is very helpful! I love the stream and leaf concept. I will add it to my tool box!

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