How to Become a Vocal Coach

Last Updated: February 17, 2023 References

Vocal coaches play an undeniable role in making others successful in the music industry. Vocal coaches are music trainers, counselors and mentors, with the ability to make or break an aspiring musician, actor or entertainer as they progress in their career. Good vocal coaches possess the attractive combination of a great singing voice, understanding of music and the ability to teach and inspire others to master their voice. With that said, there are many important steps and qualities that one must undertake to become a vocal coach.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Developing Your Musical Talent

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Practice your singing voice. Start with singing a note that comes most naturally to you. Test your ability to carry the note by singing it as high as you can without straining. Then, go as low as you can without straining. For added practice, sing your favorite tune at the highest pitch and lowest pitch you can. Smile while you sing for a brighter, clearer vocal sound. Once you learn your range, identify your voice type.
- If you’re female, and your voice is high, your voice will be considered a Soprano. If it’s low, it will be considered an alto. If you’re male and your voice is high, your voice will be considered a Tenor. If it’s low, it will be considered Bass. ^{[1]
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- Practice at least one singing/warm-up exercise for at least 10 minutes a day.^{[2]
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  Research source} Listen to your pitch, and focus on your tone to deliver the best sound for your voice. Challenge yourself by singing in different pitches, volumes and speeds.
- Be comfortable and learn to sing well with your own voice before teaching others. You will need to make your voice versatile, and know how to sing in many different ranges and styles.
2
Acquire vocal training. Research and find vocal coaches in your area. Scan their websites or call them to find out what services they specialize in. Request to meet with them, and if possible, ask them to evaluate your voice for a class that fits you best. Take the lessons on a weekly basis, or as recommended by your vocal coach for best results.
- You might also pursue professional vocal or opera training from a performing or liberal arts school for professional results. Be mindful that lessons can be pricy, and run as much as $30 for a 30 minute session. ^{[3]
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  Research source} Getting vocal training is often seen as a prerequisite, as many vocal coaches begin their careers as professional singers.
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3
Study music. Pursue a college degree in music, preferably from a performing arts school or a program that offers singing and vocal work, as well as teaching and education classes. Learn music theory and how it applies to sounds. Learn how to read notes, in a class, or creatively using online apps. Take yourself out to musical concerts and train yourself to listen to harmony, tone and other important elements of music. Become familiar with a variety of singing voices and vocal styles.
- Learn to play an instrument, like the piano or guitar, to use as a guide to study notes and pitch. Start with playing simple notes or songs, like Mary Had A Little Lamb to learn the keys. Practice matching your voice to the musical keys. Use online tutorials, or take lessons from a professional, if needed.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Getting Trained As a Vocal Coach

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Make a decision on the type of vocal coach you want to be. Decide if you want to be a certified teacher, private instructor, or a commercial vocal coach. Ask yourself if you want to work in a studio, or for a recording company. This will help you be clear on your course of study and how much training you’ll need. While there is no formal training required to become a vocal coach, many professionals spend as much as 10 years developing their skills. ^{[4]
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- Determine who you want to teach, and who you want your customers and clients to be. For example, do you want to teach children, teenagers or adults? Or do you want to work with up-and-coming singers or celebrities?
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Choose a certification program. Search for “vocal training services” online and look into at least five different training programs for aspiring vocal coaches. Compare and contrast which is best for you according to cost, the length of program, and the types of courses offered. You can choose to get a certificate, enroll in a diploma or degree-based program, or take courses in pedagogy or speech. Create a budget for a full-year of classes at least, as you might need to take out a loan and pay-out-of-pocket for your training.
- Check with your instructor to verify the classes will offer you personalized training for your vocal technique, and also teach you the best way to meet the needs of your students. A good vocal training program should teach you proper voice technique, vocal science and psychology.
- Note: you can train for as little as six months if you want to be a private vocal coach. However, if you want to be a vocal teacher in a school, it may take you as long as four years, as you’ll be required to have a degree. Be serious about your professional development.
3
Brand yourself as a vocal coach. Put together a resume and cover letter featuring all your education, certification and training so far as a vocal coach. Design a logo, and come up with a catch phrase for your services. Create a website that showcases yourself as a vocal coach. Invest in business cards, and other marketing materials, like flyers and ads, to promote yourself.
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Get involved in industry events. Join a singing or songwriter’s guild or association. Sign up for vocal workshops with an established vocal coach to observe how they teach and how students respond to them. Research dance and recording studios online and the services they offer. Nail down a few you’d be interested in working with and pitch volunteering as a vocal coach to them.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Landing A Job As a Vocal Coach

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Seek an internship or practical work experience. Search online job boards, such as Monster and CareerBuilder for internship, part-time or temporary work opportunities as a vocal coach. Research vocal coaches in your area to find out when they offer classes.
- If possible, call or email them and request to shadow them or assist with teaching their classes. Research dance and recording studios in your area, and do a walk in. Ask for the director or heads of the studio, and express your interest in working for them
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Build your client list. Make it known to your family and friends that you’ve become a vocal coach. Ask them to spread the word. Market yourself as a vocal coach online, i.e. your website and on social media. To build your following, try creating a blog or vlog that is designed to answer and address questions about getting vocal coaching. Attend networking events to meet and mingle with other professionals in your industry to gain recognition among your peers.
- Offer free vocal coach lessons in bookstores or coffee shops to aspiring students. This will help build your credibility and experience as a vocal coach. Be sure to ask for leads and referrals.
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Determine your hours and pricing. Ask around to see what other vocal coaches in your area charge for classes. Charge the same price, or a little higher, depending on your experience. Some coaches start with $30, and some as much as $50 per hour. ^{[5]
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Research source} Determine how much you’d need to launch your career as a full-time vocal coach, depending on your monthly spend. For example, if you had monthly expenses of $1,800, you might only need to teach three students for five hours a week, if you charge them $30 an hour per class.
- Be flexible with your hours. Make yourself available as much as you can to to prospective students, and those who want to learn more about your services.
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Be passionate and persistent. Answer as many phone calls and questions about vocal coaching as you can. Be honest in sharing what your experience and expectations for students. Your teaching style might not be best for every student.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Offering Vocal Training

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Decide where to offer your classes. Nail down a space to provide your vocal lessons. A recording studio is preferred for independent, commercial or celebrity vocal coaches. If you decide to teach vocal lessons for grade-aged children, than a school would be appropriate for you. Have sound equipment essentials, including a keyboard, microphone and speakers on hand for your students to use. Make sure your space clean, airy and welcoming.
2
Interview prospective students. Ask possible students about their desires to be a singer. Find out their career goals. Tune in to their needs, and any ways they’d like to improve their voice. Ask about any singing experience, or previous vocal training they’ve had. Create a profile for the student that shows their end goal, and how you plan to help them reach it. Hold a formal or on-the-spot audition, if possible, to learn their voice.
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Tailor your lesson plans for each student. Have your students sing for you, both in their head voice, and in their chest voice with vocal warm-up exercises. If they struggle with singing loudly, or on key, help them to find their note. ^{[6]
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Research source} Be kind, and mindful not to pass judgment or give harsh criticism on how they sound.
- Plan lessons that offer give them singing and music basics, such as finding your music register, singing with notes and how to breathe properly while singing. ^{[7]
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  Research source} If you need assistance with planning your lessons, Google “vocal lessons for teachers online” to find examples, or print and download vocal lesson plans.
- Consider teaching quick hacks to improving your singing voice, such as using vocal control, clear pronunciation and musical phrasing. ^{[8]
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  Research source} Include lessons in stage presence for students that want to be commercial singers or actors.
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Focus on success. Listen to concerns and future goals of your students in regards to your singing. Offer USBs, or recording devices during your sessions to record students as they sing. Have your students practice self-evaluation exercises. Be honest and constructive when giving feedback. Not all of your students will have what is considered to be a ‘great singing voice’, or star quality. Set reasonable, but measurable expectations for each student based on their voice. Their mental and vocal health will be a top priority. ^{[9]
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Be professional. Show up on time to teach your lessons, both in person and online. Be presentable and approachable for students. Address any concerns your students, or parents of the students might have as they progress with lessons. Develop a good rapport, so that students will continue to take your classes and support your business.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I prepare a scheme for my vocal trainees?

Community Answer

All singers are different, so therefore most of each lesson should be you applying your knowledge to their techniques and guiding them in the right direction. The goal would be to help them develop the confidence in proper technique and improve what they are already working with. You could come up with a rough lesson plan, but the best bet is to greet each student with an open mind and heart, and allow your knowledge to carry you and give them the advice they need to succeed.