How long does it take?

When a student asks me how long it will take them to learn to sing, I compare it to, say, learning French. How long does it take to learn French? There's no one answer. Do you want to be fluent, or just be able to order a beer and find the train station? Are you planning to work on your new language every day, or are you taking one class a week without thinking much about it between classes? Ask yourself the same kinds of questions about singing and you'll have your answer. I cringe when I hear of teachers promising miraculous changes in a few months. How long will it take? How the heck should I know!?

I've seen students plod along for years with slow, steady growth while others experience phenomenal changes within their first months of study, sometimes major shifts at their first lesson.

Invariably, it's the frequency and quality of the practicing that makes the difference. And by practicing, I don't just mean singing. You can accomplish amazing things with your singing voice by simply improving your daily speaking habits.

Having said all of that, if you're practicing at your best, you should notice an increase in your understanding in the first few lessons and positive changes in your technique within a few months. If you're not sure, try out as many new teachers as you can afford to until you find the combination that clicks. I tell people this even if I'm the first one they try. It's a personal thing, and it's worth getting it right.