How can you communicate better with your vocal coach and other singers?

1 Know your goals and expectations

Before you start working with a vocal coach or join a singing group, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you expect from the coaching or collaboration. Do you want to improve your technique, expand your range, prepare for a performance, or explore a new genre? Do you prefer a structured or flexible approach, feedback or encouragement, or solo or group exercises? Knowing your goals and expectations will help you choose a vocal coach or singing partner that matches your style and needs, and also communicate them clearly and respectfully.

2 Use common terminology and notation

One of the challenges of communicating with your vocal coach and other singers is that there are different terms and notations for vocal concepts and techniques. For example, some people may use solfège, numbers, or letters to indicate pitches, or different names for vocal registers, qualities, or effects. To avoid confusion and misunderstandings, you should familiarize yourself with the common terminology and notation used by your vocal coach and other singers, and ask for clarification if you are unsure. You can also use tools like pitch pipes, tuners, or apps to help you communicate pitches and intervals more accurately.

3 Give and receive feedback constructively

Feedback is an essential part of vocal coaching and singing collaboration, as it helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your performance, and learn from others. However, feedback can also be tricky to give and receive, as it can be subjective, personal, or emotional. To communicate feedback constructively, you should follow some basic guidelines: be specific, honest, and respectful; focus on the behavior, not the person; use positive and negative feedback appropriately; and ask for feedback when you want it. You should also be open-minded, receptive, and grateful when receiving feedback, and use it to improve your vocal skills and confidence.

4 Express your opinions and preferences respectfully

As a singer, you have your own opinions and preferences about your vocal style, repertoire, interpretation, and performance. While it's important to express your opinions and preferences respectfully, it's also important to respect the opinions and preferences of your vocal coach and other singers. You should avoid being too rigid, defensive, or critical, and instead be willing to listen, compromise, and experiment. You should also recognize that your opinions and preferences may change over time, as you learn more about your voice and explore different vocal possibilities.

5 Share your emotions and experiences

Singing is not only a technical skill, but also an emotional and expressive art form. Singing can evoke various emotions and experiences, such as joy, sadness, excitement, frustration, or anxiety. Communicating your emotions and experiences with your vocal coach and other singers can help you connect with them on a deeper level, understand their perspective, and support each other. You can share your emotions and experiences by using words, gestures, facial expressions, or music. You can also use techniques like journaling, meditation, or breathing to help you process and express your emotions and experiences.

6 Seek and offer encouragement and appreciation

Finally, one of the best ways to communicate better with your vocal coach and other singers is to seek and offer encouragement and appreciation. Encouragement and appreciation can boost your motivation, confidence, and morale, as well as strengthen your relationship and trust with your vocal coach and other singers. You can seek and offer encouragement and appreciation by giving compliments, expressing gratitude, celebrating achievements, asking for help, offering help, or simply saying thank you. You can also use gestures, smiles, hugs, or gifts to show your encouragement and appreciation.

7 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?