What do I need for my lesson?
Whether a seasoned regular or coming for your very first lesson, here are a few things you might want to bring or think about to attend your lesson, and to get the most out of the experience.
Music
What have you been studying/learning? Bring that, and bring a second copy to share with your teacher/pianist.
Any music you are performing with your choir, church solos, stage shows. Even if you don’t plan to sing it, it may become relevant for technical or performance reasons.
A pencil
Whether working digitally or with paper music, bring a pencil to make notes and mark your music.
A notebook, or recorder to record the lesson if agreed with your teacher
Either are fine with me, but it makes sense to be able to write down broader technical and performance ideas for your practise later.
An open mind
This is your time to work on your goals - so to help you do this fully come ready to play, work, experiment, and learn. Put aside the everyday distractions for now and enjoy this time to concentrate on your voice and performance.
“You do get better at even the things you’re terrible at, if you practice.”
Before the lesson
What you wear
Think about wearing something you are comfortable in, that allows you to move and work physically. We will be doing stretches, and sometimes use weights/pilates bands and other equipment as part of our work together.
Food and drink
Make sure you have eaten and drunk enough before the lesson to feel comfortable standing and working physically. If you wish to drink water during the lesson, lay it out to bring with you. By personal preference, I prefer not to drink while singing, but I don’t mind if you do.
Warm-up
You may wish to have a short vocalise or warm-up before you arrive, check in with your voice and see how it feels today, if you are experiencing anything different you can bring this up at the start of the lesson. This might also include feeling if you have any tension.
Lastly, a little reassurance. I am human, I have made many mistakes, I have sometimes found practise hard to fit into life or had other things going on that make work/life tricky. Please feel free to let me know of anything that might affect our session together that you think I should know about. I fit around you and your needs.
I do not expect that every pupil arrives a perfect and finished product - that simply isn’t real life! Sometimes the best lessons are the ones that happen responding to the voice and singer as they turn up that day. So please don’t worry that you feel you should have done x, y, or z. Hopefully all teachers feel this way and should be understanding!
Back to School- Tips for a new term of Music Lessons
Back to School- Tips to start a new term of music lessons fully prepared
Preparing for a New Term - are you ready?
“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary”
Prepare
Whether returning to a teacher or beginning a whole new course somewhere new, you will have some idea what is expected. Check up on the syllabus, read up about your new teacher to understand their training and experience.
Begin practice in advance to make sure you have stamina and some strength ahead of the demands of rehearsals, lessons and performances - the term can get busy fast!
2. Make a schedule
Make a practice diary - work out your schedule. Mark out your weekly lessons, lectures and classes so they are all in your diary. Add alarm reminders if this is helpful!
If you know you practice better in the morning or in the afternoon, try work this in to your schedule.
Leave space for everyday life tasks too - gym, running, if you work or do a teaching job or another job to fund your studies.
I know I study better if my workspace is clean and tidy, with no distractions! So I often schedule this into my day.
And of course… leave lots of space for socialising or to switch things around if new things are scheduled.
3. Keep track of Deadlines
If you don’t already have an electronic system/diary, investigate ways of linking your email and calendar so you can keep track of performances, and essay due dates. Use whatever version that best suits you whether digital or pen and paper, or a combination.
4. Tailor your Study Habits and Prepare Study Resources
I know I am a visual learner - but what about you? What will help you learn?
If you know memorising is easier if you write things out or use different coloured pens/paper, make sure you have these things ready to go. This is your chance to indulge your stationery dreams and buy things like a new highlighter for your notes and scores!
If you work digitally with music, make sure your equipment is ready to go, you have a good case for your tablet, a nice feeling pen holder for your electronic pen, and your computer/laptop have plenty of memory for new music, and back up options to charge everything.
Has your teacher been asking you to look at a particular score or to practice a particular technique?… Do this now. Don’t put it off!
5. Find a Healthy Balance
Lastly, your new course/term is likely to take up a lot of your time, but don’t forget to plan and enjoy life outside of this.
I’ve already mentioned planning your fitness regime in to your timetable, or maybe plan to begin one! There is nothing more stress relieving than exercise, a walk is a simple way to start.
Remember to carry on with any hobbies you have and maybe even consider starting something new. Your life is enriched by your diverse experiences, and this includes experiences outside of your study.
Best of luck to everyone starting a new term, I hope these few tips help you feel organised and ready for success in your music making.
How do you like to prepare? Have I missed anything out? Comment below with your favourite tip.
As we head into the autumn, I’m starting to prepare for a new school and University Year. No one likes those ‘Sunday Night’ feelings, so make yourself a hydrating cup of something, sit down with a notebook, and let’s work through some top tips to start your new year of music lessons off with lots of energy and focus.