If you are a beginner, I believe it's very important to start with the basics, like learning how the voice actually works. What is your Diaphragm? Where is the Larynx? Are the Vocal Cords actually cords? Having a basic understanding of these things should be obvious, but most of the time it isn't. Teaching voice can be a very lucrative business, so naturally there are unscrupulous "Teachers" out there that will take advantage of the naive newcomer. They might start the new person singing random scales on a piano for weeks, or even months without really explaining in detail why. Keeping the student in the dark, while draining the person's bank account is the modus operandi. This is of course a "worst case scenario" however I've known this to happen. More often, it's just someone with little scientific knowledge of the voice passing on bad, or outdated technique. I see this VERY often.
If you are searching for someone to teach you how to sing, do some research on the person first before handing over your hard earned cash. Don't be fooled by pictures of these people with well known celebrities, especially in Los Angeles, as celebrities are fairly easy to get a pic with most of the time. Just because they have a picture with Stevie Wonder doesn't mean they actually WORKED with him. Ask for solid references, and follow-up on them. Do they have a degree from an accredited music school, or University? Have they trained within a legitimate Pedagogy? Who was their teacher?
Here's my favorite... Can your prospective teacher actually sing? If they can't actually do the things they say they can teach others to do, then head for the door. Just do some research on your own. Knowledge is power.
Here's a great place to start.
Good luck!
Shaun Williamson
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