So what actually happens in a singing lesson?

Question

I'm going to take speech/singing lessons in college, I picked musical theatre as my stimulus but haven't met my teacher yet.

What should I expect?

Answer 1

learn how to breathe properly, do  scales and sing songs basically

Answer 2

They practically teach you how to use your voice properly and give you exercise to improve it, one is you sing the basic notes like do re mi....

Answer 3

Well I've studied classically all my life, but there shouldn't be too much of a difference between the genres as long as both revolve around singing. The first lesson, your teacher will probably test your singing abilities...kind of poke and prod with the piano and have you match his/her scales to gauge your pitch and see how good of an ear you have. My first singing lesson was where I learned what my voice is classified as (soprano, mezzo, alto...etc.) and where my range should be, also that I have near-perfect pitch.

Your teacher will also probably go over what they'll be trying to teach to you and maybe even go into the dynamics a little bit. If they're teaching the way they "should" (and I say this because some singing teachers don't stress important subjects like breathing or things of the like) then they'll probably go into how you're expected to breathe when singing and what proper diction is expected, especially since your doing musical theatre. They're absolutely crazy about diction in musical theatre!

After that, depending on how long your lesson is for, the teacher may or may not give you some music to learn or look over for the next lesson.

After that first lesson, every lesson should begin with a vocal warm-up of arpeggios and scales (musical theater usually adds on fun words to sing like "yum yum yum yum yaw" or "mommy made me mash my M&Ms.") Depending on how much technique is stressed in the lessons you'll be taking, then your teacher may or may not give you information on internal workings of singing from an anatomical perspective. They'll also probably teach you everything to know about pronunciation, annunciation, and diction. Then you'll either work through an assigned piece or be given an assigned piece.

Hope that that helped some and that you have a great time! :)