How can you overcome the challenges of teaching classical singing?

1 Assess your students' goals and needs

Before you start teaching classical singing, you need to understand what your students want to learn and why. Are they preparing for auditions, exams, performances, or just for fun? What are their strengths and weaknesses as singers? What are their preferred styles and genres within classical music? How much time and practice can they commit to? By asking these questions, you can tailor your lessons to suit their individual goals and needs, and avoid frustration and boredom.

2 Teach vocal anatomy and function

One of the main challenges of teaching classical singing is explaining how the voice works and how to use it correctly. Many students may have misconceptions or myths about vocal production, such as breathing from the diaphragm, pushing the sound, or opening the throat. You need to teach them the basic anatomy and function of the vocal apparatus, such as the larynx, the vocal folds, the resonators, and the articulators. You also need to demonstrate and practice vocal exercises that develop healthy habits, such as posture, alignment, breath support, resonance, registration, and intonation.

3 Use a variety of methods and tools

Another challenge of teaching classical singing is finding the best way to communicate with your students and help them understand and apply your feedback. Different students may respond better to different methods and tools, such as imagery, metaphors, analogies, modeling, demonstration, imitation, ear training, recording, visualization, or biofeedback. You need to experiment with different approaches and see what works best for each student. You also need to be flexible and adaptable, and adjust your methods and tools according to the progress and needs of your students.

4 Incorporate musical skills and knowledge

Classical singing is not only about vocal technique, but also about musical skills and knowledge. You need to teach your students how to read and interpret musical notation, symbols, terms, and styles. You also need to teach them how to sing in different languages, such as Italian, French, German, or Latin, and how to pronounce and understand the lyrics. Moreover, you need to teach them how to express the mood, emotion, and character of the music, and how to perform with confidence and charisma.

5 Choose appropriate repertoire and resources

One of the most important and challenging aspects of teaching classical singing is choosing the appropriate repertoire and resources for your students. You need to select songs that match your students' level, ability, range, voice type, and interest. You also need to consider the historical and cultural context, the musical genre and style, and the vocal technique and expression of each song. You need to provide your students with reliable and accurate scores, recordings, translations, and background information. You also need to expose your students to a variety of classical singers and composers, and encourage them to listen and learn from them.

6 Foster a supportive and positive environment

Finally, teaching classical singing requires creating a supportive and positive environment for your students. You need to motivate and inspire them, praise their achievements, and help them overcome their challenges. You also need to be patient and empathetic, and respect their individuality and preferences. You need to create a safe and comfortable space for them to experiment and express themselves, and to give and receive constructive feedback. You also need to foster a sense of community and collaboration among your students, and encourage them to share and celebrate their musical experiences.

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?