How can visualization techniques improve your coaching feedback?

1 Visualize the goal

Before you start any vocal lesson, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your student. What are the learning objectives, the expectations, and the criteria for success? Visualize the goal in your mind and share it with your student. This will help you both align your vision and focus on the same target. You can also use visualization to help your student imagine how they will feel, sound, and look when they reach the goal. This will boost their motivation, confidence, and enthusiasm.

2 Visualize the process

Once you have established the goal, you need to break it down into manageable steps and actions. Visualize the process in your mind and explain it to your student. How will you approach each step, what skills and techniques will you use, and what challenges will you face? Visualize the process as vividly as possible, using sensory details, emotions, and scenarios. This will help you and your student understand the logic, the sequence, and the purpose of each step. You can also use visualization to help your student anticipate and overcome potential obstacles, such as nerves, mistakes, or distractions.

3 Visualize the feedback

During and after the vocal lesson, you will give feedback to your student based on their performance and progress. Visualize the feedback in your mind and deliver it in a clear and positive way. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your student, what are the areas of improvement, and what are the next steps? Visualize the feedback as a dialogue, not a monologue, and invite your student to share their thoughts and feelings. You can also use visualization to help your student see and hear the difference between their current and desired performance, using examples, analogies, or metaphors.

4 Visualize the outcome

At the end of the vocal lesson, you should review the goal, the process, and the feedback with your student. Visualize the outcome in your mind and celebrate it with your student. How did you and your student perform, what did you learn, and what did you achieve? Visualize the outcome as a result of your joint effort, collaboration, and feedback. You can also use visualization to help your student transfer and apply their learning to other contexts, such as auditions, performances, or recordings.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?