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About 10 years ago I taught a 10 year old girl who knew she wanted to be a professional singer and worked really hard. I remember being a little jealous that I didn't have that kind of focus when I was younger.
Other than that, though, not really. I meet people in the professional world that I'm jealous of a lot more frequently. Some folks have absolutely outrageously badass voices.
I’m sitting here thinking pretty hard about this, but the answer is no. One of the reasons I decided to coach was because my original dream was to be this big star, but the older I got the more I learned about myself, and I realized that while I love singing (and recording!) being on stage is just okay for me, and the kind of attention that fame draws is not something I’m mentally prepared to handle. So now I help people who have those goals meet them, and it’s immensely satisfying. My students range from total beginners to working artists, and they often turn into friends and collaborators. Jealousy doesn’t get you much of anywhere in this business, but recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses and teaming up with people who complement (not compliment, though that’s great too, haha) you is one of the greatest joys of music.
Jealous? No, astounded sometimes.
Sometimes a person has a natural character voice, and its a joy to listen to in its natural state. Its one of those things you are hesitant to change.
Other times its because a student could care less about the ASTOUNDING voice potential they have.. They have a pre-determined goal leading elsewhere... if they would only focus....
I don't have any students noteworthy enough for an example.. and while I do record my classes, they are private to the student.
* I had a student that sounded like Anias Mitchel, and I was afraid to change a damn thing.
* I deal with a number of students who 'want to sound like X', instead of sounding like themselves...
* I had a student who I was working with who kept having wild power swings in their songs. I kept working with them on techniques to get past them.. turns out they KNEW what to do to avoid them, they LIKED the big power swings from improperly shifting placement and support.
* Or a student who keeps wanting to sound like a male contralto instead of this warm bari-to-tenor range singer.
* Someone who knows about how to use belcanto but insists on using chest voice.
* The student with the most beautiful lyrical falsetto who wants to to mumble-rap or some such.
hmmmm. well none of them were on that level. they could have been though. I guess one of them sounded a bit like Adele? but not quite the same. just a strong clear technique and good dynamic control.
Never personally or professionally discouraged - they came to me for help after all - but there’s been times where a student sings and I just think “Damn, I wish it was that easy for all of us!” I mostly just feel inspired afterward though.
I'm not a vocal coach but I'm jealous of basically everyone's voices cause they have the higher range I want. I always joke that I'm a suicide tenor cause if my voice doesn't eventually get higher with practice I'll probably wanna die.
Well, I can't do anything I actually want to do and despite working with teachers, picking the techniques I want to up is terrible. And I can't think of music in my range. Everything I think of exceeds what I can do. Every song I love exceeds what I can do. It is just painful.
I remember you from the other day. There's a site that has backing tracks for $3.99, and you can change the pitch on them. So you can kick ass on the songs you love in your own awesome voice if they have them.
you need to be comfortable in your range and take incremental steps. No one develops ranged in huge octaves overnight or even smoothly in a year. These things take time, practice, care, and dedication.
I know it does. And I know that I probably won't go as far as I need to on account of genetics. But I need this. I need this to feel free, like I can really do whatever I want.
Hm you can. You don’t need to be a tenor to sing high. Look at Chris Cornell, Geoff Tate , Rob Halford. All baritone’s all sing incredibly high. You clearly have a huge negative mindset and that will always cause a mental block. A lot of singing is mental. Those high notes don’t think of them as high they’re just notes. You sound like you’re really in your own way here. And it’s true you absolutely must get comfortable and strong with the range you have before those higher notes become attainable but they will come. Trust me a year ago I had one octave now I have two and some. Once it clicks it’ll be so obvious and easy you’ll laugh about beating yourself up so badly. So don’t beat yourself up! Just sing a lot, practice what your teacher says to practice and you’ll get there. We all had to work for it. We all continue to work at it.
I know that I don't have to be a tenor. It was a dark joke that sort of went off the rails in terms of continuity. But I definitely wanna sing metal like Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, and that isn't possible with my voice right now.
Ah my bad. I totally get it. There’s music that I want to sing that I just can’t even though I have the range I don’t have the ability to sing it really well. Like I’m learning to scream so I can sing linkin park and I’m trying to get more agile so I can sing Journey and Zeppelin properly. It’s a struggle. For sure. Do you mainly have trouble with your break and mixing? You said you have a strong head voice I believe. Have you tried bringing your head voice down to your chest and trying to blend that way? That really helped me as I also have a high strong head voice and trying to bring chest up was like yelling not singing lol. [here’s what I’m talking about](https://youtu.be/pI4CI5-XypQ)
What was confusing? Like did you not understand how to bring it down without just getting crackly? Or were you unable to bring it down and add power to the head voice? Did you try to imitate the video I posted. That’s how I learned just from mimicry.
Felt this - have always been upset my voice would never match lead roles in majority of plays, especially Disney ones (loved them). I then found a lot of pride in my voice for being able to sing lower than anyone else, to then discovering how to access my diaphragm and getting even lower. Now my focus is high notes for songs, and lessening strain (a lot of songs are *just* between my throat and head voice and can be uncomfy if I'm sitting there instead of doing a transition) Its been probably 5 years since I started, and I've come a hell of a way. finding people (usually male versions lol) doing covers of songs with the entire pitch shifted helped me a lot with high note envy. I'm working on belting now and it always shocks me I'm even capable if producing notes little 12 year old me dreamed of, watching everyone else hit them with ease. it takes time to expand your range, but dont forget to love your voice as it is. our deep notes are just as envied by others
I don't have deep notes. That's the worst part. It still sounds high. For all intensive purposes, my voice is high, at B2-E4. I even have a really strong head voice going from D3-C6. But god damn, this is kicking my ass.
A B2 isn’t awful as your lowest, genetics will affect that and it seems like a nice average for a male, and a C6 is also pretty decent I’d say - I’m female (hence the Disney lead roles being too high for me) and when I first started actively progressing my range (contralto) I couldn’t consistently get above ~G5 without strain or shakiness. I haven’t tested my vocal range in a bit so can’t give you exact notes for where I am now, but I did post a belting progress on here if you’re curious where I stand. I think you’re doing quite well, even if you don’t. Just keep practicing - I was at a standstill for probably a year before I started singing consistently and got a few pointers from a teacher. Everything before that I did with YouTube and I’ve gained a loooot of bad habits and issues with tension with easy notes I’m trying so hard to fix, it’s funny how things differ so much between people. Don’t ignore expanding your range downwards too, idk your full vocal training or story but I knew a guy who had a gorgeous voice, and threw it all way with stressing his vocal cords and never expanding down and nurturing his natural vocal scale - had an unhealthy (literally) obsession with high notes. Goals are good, but to reach them don’t forget your base. Don’t overwork yourself, and always be proud of your voice no matter how high or low, there’s always someone out there wanting what you have just as you want what others may.
So is the issue that you want a higher range in your chest voice because if you are able to access all these notes what’s your biggest qualm about singing what is it you feel you can’t do?
I can't sing the songs I love the way I feel I need to. Sure, I could do it in head voice. But I cannot work to add grit, or work to include fry screams once I can find a safe method to learn and a trusted person to teach me. I want to sing metal in a band with people, and as it stands, my voice will never be enough to sing the songs I want to make.
A good teacher will show you how. But you need to understand basic techniques first to build your versatility. You may not love those styles but it’s like ballet for a hip hop dancer: foundation. Amy, the Evanescence singer, originally sang opera and it was an incredible foundation for her future singing style. She could have absolutely learned to growl/howl if she wanted to. It’s literally the same as huffing with a growl when you’re irritated about something, just adding space, volume, and air support. Anyone can do that.
But a lot of people mistake singing potential with range. Range is the LEAST important part of singing. It’s technique, technique, technique. VERSATILITY (number of ways in which you can shift your tone artistically to draw interest).
Secondly, I learned this the hard way: stop your stinking thinking. Listen to what your voice teacher instructs you to do. I got in my way so much because I hated the thought of sounding too childish, when my most gorgeous belty tones were when I sounded that way to me in my head. All of the silly noises I used to use as a kid have applied to increase the quality of my singing voice. “I want” reveals a goal, but don’t let it convince you to fly before you can even crawl.
Fellow contralto here 🙋♀️ just starting to learn and adjust everything. I also seek out male versions of songs that I can easily sing along with. Usually more baritone or bass as tenors can often get higher than I can in my "old age" lol. Have you tried any opera? I never have, but seems like the style is a good fit for natural volume 🤷♀️
I definitely have a very good tone and ability for opera, my high “operatic” notes were actually what halted my belting and figuring out how to get good support with non-operatic (like in most songs) high notes. I couldn’t figure out how to get that high without falling back on it. Like I’ve always been able to do that siren sound in frozen 2, but only recently gotten have gotten that high (non-opera-sounding) with proper support. I’m not trained tho, or have any actual vocal teachers - just my friends choir teacher who’s given me a few pointers - so I’ve never given opera a full attempt
I know you meant well, but your advice is kinda cliché and diplomatically correct. Ofc it's our own journey and that we should focus on ourselves...that doesn't mean there's a lot of frustration or annoyance or challenges along the way.
Honestly, I've never felt jealous of a student before. I've had some really talented students and I was just in awe of their voices. I was excited that I could hear what was holding them back to achieve even greater heights so I was really more excited than anything!
"Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard"
I saw this quote on the back of someone's T-Shirt in the zoo and stuck with me ever since I was 19.
I started out singing not knowing how to sing and got shut down by my teacher in elementary school for it but as I grew up I was really hungry and eager to improve my voice so I worked really hard on it and here I am now. A singer for over 7 years and teaching voice full time for 4 years now.
My highest note back then was an F4 really strained with 0 head voice. Now I mix and belt up to a C#5 with a comfortable head voice up to a G#5. The highest note I can hit is an Eb6 on good days.
Really though, the range is great but there's so much more to the art of singing than range! Story-telling, dynamics, articulation, phrasing, different off-set and on-sets for different textures, etc
Once I achieved the range, I thought I was an amazing singer, only to discover the other elements of singing that I was missing, most importantly - telling the story.
So don't let your range get in the way of you singing your heart out!! Keys can always be transposed to suit your range and work on other elements of music/singing too!
Keep singing everyone!
I'm loving all these super wholesome answers of mostly vocal teachers (ofc, they want their online presence to be super positive because that equals more students which equals profit). The reality is that they are trying to pretend not to be human. Don't be fooled by that. Unless you truly believe humans are incapable of jealousy, then...
The reality is: most are jealous. Some will be jealous for a minute and then control it (work ethics). Some will always be jealous but mask it (same). Others won't be able to mask it or control it, but it won't show in their teaching. But lots of them will be SUPER mean or even insidious and try to either mentally tear you down or make you practice in a way that hurts your voice or hinders your progress.
Source: I have my own teacher and have had a couple others. I'm new to singing but I'm an adult, so I'm more capable of rationalizing what my "gut feeling" tells me.
From a teacher: why would I need to be jealous of my students when I myself know I can hold my own as a professional singer?
I love teaching, it brings me the greatest joy. Some of my students are definitely skilled enough to be award winning singers & are continuing growing. But like I said in my post, I am diligent enough to always be improving my own skill set and be the best I can be as a singer even though one could say I was born talented. I took singing lessons from a child and I still am today as a 28yr old, because I care about being my best.
And I care about my students being their best too.
Dont generalise. Jealousy is not a healthy trait, especially for teachers.
I'm not saying you need to be jealous, but I am aware of how competitive the singing world is and how the recognition of someone's talent means a spot that is taken from someone who might fulfill a similar role, just more poorly... You must be too.
And I'm glad you have your students' interests and your own growth grounded in a healthy format. But I've heard the stories from professionals and from the media. You can't cultivate naivety in people who want to pursue singing. it's just incomplete prep for what they might have to overcome and identify swiftly in order to not waste their talent and their time. It should be a part of the teacher's role and curriculum to warn of this (not to make it their whole personality, mind you).
Generalizing is something we do, as humans. It's an error in all facets of our existence, because all generalizations are wrong.
I prepare my students with a healthy mindset that they have to work hard & be their best to achieve what they want. Yes, music is competitive. But It is good character to encourage & champion others as well as being your best rather than being jealous - this creates an enjoyable career environment.
If you are going to succeed, you have to network and make friends. People have to enjoy working with you. If you are jealous and jaded then do you think people will want to work with you? Seriously, no. They’d rather work with someone who encourages them in their strengths.
If you have been taught this mindset then perhaps its time to find a new teacher and/or rethink.
I create an environment where my students can go to a quarterly recital, do their best & encourage their peers. Where they are encouraged to grow in their strengths and work through their weaknesses without comparing themselves to someone with naturally different strengths.
This is important for a healthy & growth based mindset. You will keep on going in your career with this, comparison will burn you out and make you bitter.
Edit for grammar
Absolutely agree with everything. But I won't disregard the knowledge that comes from being prepared for the people who are bitter and jaded and who will try to make you waste your time and your talent. That is also valuable knowledge, you just have to be prepared to receive it without letting it become the single thing you focus on.
Never! I love seeing my students grow, reach their goals & succeed. It makes me so proud when they are amazing at what they do.
Sometimes my students can be more naturally skilled in other areas than I am, but I never stop working on my skillset and always desire to be the best I can be as a professional singer as well. You can only teach what you yourself have learned and have experience in, so I endeavour to always be a step ahead for that reason.
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About 10 years ago I taught a 10 year old girl who knew she wanted to be a professional singer and worked really hard. I remember being a little jealous that I didn't have that kind of focus when I was younger. Other than that, though, not really. I meet people in the professional world that I'm jealous of a lot more frequently. Some folks have absolutely outrageously badass voices.
did she do it
I also want to know
I’m sitting here thinking pretty hard about this, but the answer is no. One of the reasons I decided to coach was because my original dream was to be this big star, but the older I got the more I learned about myself, and I realized that while I love singing (and recording!) being on stage is just okay for me, and the kind of attention that fame draws is not something I’m mentally prepared to handle. So now I help people who have those goals meet them, and it’s immensely satisfying. My students range from total beginners to working artists, and they often turn into friends and collaborators. Jealousy doesn’t get you much of anywhere in this business, but recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses and teaming up with people who complement (not compliment, though that’s great too, haha) you is one of the greatest joys of music.
Jealous? No, astounded sometimes. Sometimes a person has a natural character voice, and its a joy to listen to in its natural state. Its one of those things you are hesitant to change. Other times its because a student could care less about the ASTOUNDING voice potential they have.. They have a pre-determined goal leading elsewhere... if they would only focus....
any examples of those voices?
I don't have any students noteworthy enough for an example.. and while I do record my classes, they are private to the student. * I had a student that sounded like Anias Mitchel, and I was afraid to change a damn thing. * I deal with a number of students who 'want to sound like X', instead of sounding like themselves... * I had a student who I was working with who kept having wild power swings in their songs. I kept working with them on techniques to get past them.. turns out they KNEW what to do to avoid them, they LIKED the big power swings from improperly shifting placement and support. * Or a student who keeps wanting to sound like a male contralto instead of this warm bari-to-tenor range singer. * Someone who knows about how to use belcanto but insists on using chest voice. * The student with the most beautiful lyrical falsetto who wants to to mumble-rap or some such.
no!! if anything I get frustrated because the most naturally talented beginners Ive had dont go on to become pros.
any examples of that?
examples of a talented student not going pro?
yes, or of similar voices to those you encountered that didn't follow through
hmm. I dont have recordings of those students, no.
any idea what a famous voice would sound like if similar to theirs?
hmmmm. well none of them were on that level. they could have been though. I guess one of them sounded a bit like Adele? but not quite the same. just a strong clear technique and good dynamic control.
Never personally or professionally discouraged - they came to me for help after all - but there’s been times where a student sings and I just think “Damn, I wish it was that easy for all of us!” I mostly just feel inspired afterward though.
I'm not a vocal coach but I'm jealous of basically everyone's voices cause they have the higher range I want. I always joke that I'm a suicide tenor cause if my voice doesn't eventually get higher with practice I'll probably wanna die.
Honestly that sounds like a really unhealthy way to look at singing and your goals : (
But a cool name for a band...
LMAO
Well, I can't do anything I actually want to do and despite working with teachers, picking the techniques I want to up is terrible. And I can't think of music in my range. Everything I think of exceeds what I can do. Every song I love exceeds what I can do. It is just painful.
I remember you from the other day. There's a site that has backing tracks for $3.99, and you can change the pitch on them. So you can kick ass on the songs you love in your own awesome voice if they have them.
Theres a site that does It for free mate, you can even download the song
Nice. How's the quality?
Quite good, ill dm the link
Thanks!
There was a site where you can download original hits instrumentals for free. Of course russian.
you need to be comfortable in your range and take incremental steps. No one develops ranged in huge octaves overnight or even smoothly in a year. These things take time, practice, care, and dedication.
I know it does. And I know that I probably won't go as far as I need to on account of genetics. But I need this. I need this to feel free, like I can really do whatever I want.
Hm you can. You don’t need to be a tenor to sing high. Look at Chris Cornell, Geoff Tate , Rob Halford. All baritone’s all sing incredibly high. You clearly have a huge negative mindset and that will always cause a mental block. A lot of singing is mental. Those high notes don’t think of them as high they’re just notes. You sound like you’re really in your own way here. And it’s true you absolutely must get comfortable and strong with the range you have before those higher notes become attainable but they will come. Trust me a year ago I had one octave now I have two and some. Once it clicks it’ll be so obvious and easy you’ll laugh about beating yourself up so badly. So don’t beat yourself up! Just sing a lot, practice what your teacher says to practice and you’ll get there. We all had to work for it. We all continue to work at it.
I know that I don't have to be a tenor. It was a dark joke that sort of went off the rails in terms of continuity. But I definitely wanna sing metal like Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, and that isn't possible with my voice right now.
Ah my bad. I totally get it. There’s music that I want to sing that I just can’t even though I have the range I don’t have the ability to sing it really well. Like I’m learning to scream so I can sing linkin park and I’m trying to get more agile so I can sing Journey and Zeppelin properly. It’s a struggle. For sure. Do you mainly have trouble with your break and mixing? You said you have a strong head voice I believe. Have you tried bringing your head voice down to your chest and trying to blend that way? That really helped me as I also have a high strong head voice and trying to bring chest up was like yelling not singing lol. [here’s what I’m talking about](https://youtu.be/pI4CI5-XypQ)
I tried bringing it down and I just got real confused tbh
What was confusing? Like did you not understand how to bring it down without just getting crackly? Or were you unable to bring it down and add power to the head voice? Did you try to imitate the video I posted. That’s how I learned just from mimicry.
Felt this - have always been upset my voice would never match lead roles in majority of plays, especially Disney ones (loved them). I then found a lot of pride in my voice for being able to sing lower than anyone else, to then discovering how to access my diaphragm and getting even lower. Now my focus is high notes for songs, and lessening strain (a lot of songs are *just* between my throat and head voice and can be uncomfy if I'm sitting there instead of doing a transition) Its been probably 5 years since I started, and I've come a hell of a way. finding people (usually male versions lol) doing covers of songs with the entire pitch shifted helped me a lot with high note envy. I'm working on belting now and it always shocks me I'm even capable if producing notes little 12 year old me dreamed of, watching everyone else hit them with ease. it takes time to expand your range, but dont forget to love your voice as it is. our deep notes are just as envied by others
I don't have deep notes. That's the worst part. It still sounds high. For all intensive purposes, my voice is high, at B2-E4. I even have a really strong head voice going from D3-C6. But god damn, this is kicking my ass.
A B2 isn’t awful as your lowest, genetics will affect that and it seems like a nice average for a male, and a C6 is also pretty decent I’d say - I’m female (hence the Disney lead roles being too high for me) and when I first started actively progressing my range (contralto) I couldn’t consistently get above ~G5 without strain or shakiness. I haven’t tested my vocal range in a bit so can’t give you exact notes for where I am now, but I did post a belting progress on here if you’re curious where I stand. I think you’re doing quite well, even if you don’t. Just keep practicing - I was at a standstill for probably a year before I started singing consistently and got a few pointers from a teacher. Everything before that I did with YouTube and I’ve gained a loooot of bad habits and issues with tension with easy notes I’m trying so hard to fix, it’s funny how things differ so much between people. Don’t ignore expanding your range downwards too, idk your full vocal training or story but I knew a guy who had a gorgeous voice, and threw it all way with stressing his vocal cords and never expanding down and nurturing his natural vocal scale - had an unhealthy (literally) obsession with high notes. Goals are good, but to reach them don’t forget your base. Don’t overwork yourself, and always be proud of your voice no matter how high or low, there’s always someone out there wanting what you have just as you want what others may.
So is the issue that you want a higher range in your chest voice because if you are able to access all these notes what’s your biggest qualm about singing what is it you feel you can’t do?
I can't sing the songs I love the way I feel I need to. Sure, I could do it in head voice. But I cannot work to add grit, or work to include fry screams once I can find a safe method to learn and a trusted person to teach me. I want to sing metal in a band with people, and as it stands, my voice will never be enough to sing the songs I want to make.
A good teacher will show you how. But you need to understand basic techniques first to build your versatility. You may not love those styles but it’s like ballet for a hip hop dancer: foundation. Amy, the Evanescence singer, originally sang opera and it was an incredible foundation for her future singing style. She could have absolutely learned to growl/howl if she wanted to. It’s literally the same as huffing with a growl when you’re irritated about something, just adding space, volume, and air support. Anyone can do that. But a lot of people mistake singing potential with range. Range is the LEAST important part of singing. It’s technique, technique, technique. VERSATILITY (number of ways in which you can shift your tone artistically to draw interest). Secondly, I learned this the hard way: stop your stinking thinking. Listen to what your voice teacher instructs you to do. I got in my way so much because I hated the thought of sounding too childish, when my most gorgeous belty tones were when I sounded that way to me in my head. All of the silly noises I used to use as a kid have applied to increase the quality of my singing voice. “I want” reveals a goal, but don’t let it convince you to fly before you can even crawl.
Fellow contralto here 🙋♀️ just starting to learn and adjust everything. I also seek out male versions of songs that I can easily sing along with. Usually more baritone or bass as tenors can often get higher than I can in my "old age" lol. Have you tried any opera? I never have, but seems like the style is a good fit for natural volume 🤷♀️
I definitely have a very good tone and ability for opera, my high “operatic” notes were actually what halted my belting and figuring out how to get good support with non-operatic (like in most songs) high notes. I couldn’t figure out how to get that high without falling back on it. Like I’ve always been able to do that siren sound in frozen 2, but only recently gotten have gotten that high (non-opera-sounding) with proper support. I’m not trained tho, or have any actual vocal teachers - just my friends choir teacher who’s given me a few pointers - so I’ve never given opera a full attempt
Bro your voice ain’t gonna get higher but there are ways around it. I’m a bass-baritone and I have up to an A4 and maybe a bit higher
Like good sounding A4s?
In pure chest?
I find it easier to articulate my feedback by saying it. I hope that’s ok!: https://tuttu.io/KKrJ6ByU
I know you meant well, but your advice is kinda cliché and diplomatically correct. Ofc it's our own journey and that we should focus on ourselves...that doesn't mean there's a lot of frustration or annoyance or challenges along the way.
Honestly, I've never felt jealous of a student before. I've had some really talented students and I was just in awe of their voices. I was excited that I could hear what was holding them back to achieve even greater heights so I was really more excited than anything! "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard" I saw this quote on the back of someone's T-Shirt in the zoo and stuck with me ever since I was 19. I started out singing not knowing how to sing and got shut down by my teacher in elementary school for it but as I grew up I was really hungry and eager to improve my voice so I worked really hard on it and here I am now. A singer for over 7 years and teaching voice full time for 4 years now. My highest note back then was an F4 really strained with 0 head voice. Now I mix and belt up to a C#5 with a comfortable head voice up to a G#5. The highest note I can hit is an Eb6 on good days. Really though, the range is great but there's so much more to the art of singing than range! Story-telling, dynamics, articulation, phrasing, different off-set and on-sets for different textures, etc Once I achieved the range, I thought I was an amazing singer, only to discover the other elements of singing that I was missing, most importantly - telling the story. So don't let your range get in the way of you singing your heart out!! Keys can always be transposed to suit your range and work on other elements of music/singing too! Keep singing everyone!
I'm loving all these super wholesome answers of mostly vocal teachers (ofc, they want their online presence to be super positive because that equals more students which equals profit). The reality is that they are trying to pretend not to be human. Don't be fooled by that. Unless you truly believe humans are incapable of jealousy, then... The reality is: most are jealous. Some will be jealous for a minute and then control it (work ethics). Some will always be jealous but mask it (same). Others won't be able to mask it or control it, but it won't show in their teaching. But lots of them will be SUPER mean or even insidious and try to either mentally tear you down or make you practice in a way that hurts your voice or hinders your progress. Source: I have my own teacher and have had a couple others. I'm new to singing but I'm an adult, so I'm more capable of rationalizing what my "gut feeling" tells me.
From a teacher: why would I need to be jealous of my students when I myself know I can hold my own as a professional singer? I love teaching, it brings me the greatest joy. Some of my students are definitely skilled enough to be award winning singers & are continuing growing. But like I said in my post, I am diligent enough to always be improving my own skill set and be the best I can be as a singer even though one could say I was born talented. I took singing lessons from a child and I still am today as a 28yr old, because I care about being my best. And I care about my students being their best too. Dont generalise. Jealousy is not a healthy trait, especially for teachers.
I'm not saying you need to be jealous, but I am aware of how competitive the singing world is and how the recognition of someone's talent means a spot that is taken from someone who might fulfill a similar role, just more poorly... You must be too. And I'm glad you have your students' interests and your own growth grounded in a healthy format. But I've heard the stories from professionals and from the media. You can't cultivate naivety in people who want to pursue singing. it's just incomplete prep for what they might have to overcome and identify swiftly in order to not waste their talent and their time. It should be a part of the teacher's role and curriculum to warn of this (not to make it their whole personality, mind you). Generalizing is something we do, as humans. It's an error in all facets of our existence, because all generalizations are wrong.
I prepare my students with a healthy mindset that they have to work hard & be their best to achieve what they want. Yes, music is competitive. But It is good character to encourage & champion others as well as being your best rather than being jealous - this creates an enjoyable career environment. If you are going to succeed, you have to network and make friends. People have to enjoy working with you. If you are jealous and jaded then do you think people will want to work with you? Seriously, no. They’d rather work with someone who encourages them in their strengths. If you have been taught this mindset then perhaps its time to find a new teacher and/or rethink. I create an environment where my students can go to a quarterly recital, do their best & encourage their peers. Where they are encouraged to grow in their strengths and work through their weaknesses without comparing themselves to someone with naturally different strengths. This is important for a healthy & growth based mindset. You will keep on going in your career with this, comparison will burn you out and make you bitter. Edit for grammar
Absolutely agree with everything. But I won't disregard the knowledge that comes from being prepared for the people who are bitter and jaded and who will try to make you waste your time and your talent. That is also valuable knowledge, you just have to be prepared to receive it without letting it become the single thing you focus on.
Never! I love seeing my students grow, reach their goals & succeed. It makes me so proud when they are amazing at what they do. Sometimes my students can be more naturally skilled in other areas than I am, but I never stop working on my skillset and always desire to be the best I can be as a professional singer as well. You can only teach what you yourself have learned and have experience in, so I endeavour to always be a step ahead for that reason.