Free Online Voice Lessons

[scem0]

I have been a singer ever since I was a kid, but I've never had any training and I feel that it would benefit me, my vocal chords, and anyone listening (:p) if I did some kind of online vocal training lesson. I got a little bit of training from being in choir for 2 years and from being in a school production of 42nd street, but other than that I've just sung what feels right.

I know that posture and diaphram control are very important in proper vocal technique and I know I'm lacking in both those categories.

I haven't been able to find any online (free :)) vocal lessons though. Well, nothing with audio samples to make sure your doing the exercises right, etc.

Another thing I've been trying to find rather unsuccessfully is an aria written for a dramatic/coloratura tenor. I find the regular tenor songs to be quite boring and not very challenging to sing (although it will probably be a challege to sing them correctly ;)). Male parts are no fun in opera, they never get the fun runs that the sopranos get, which is dissapointing. I've just started to listen to opera, so I'm definitely an amateur. I've found that I like the bel canto era music the most. Songs like "queen of the night" from Mozart's The Magic Flute are lots of fun :) (but I need a song like that for my voice type :confused::cool:- tenor)

Thanks for the help,

scem0

[MontyZ]

I took singing lessons for 6 years ("bel canto" method) when I was younger, and I don't think you can really do that very well online. You need a real teacher to show you all the techniques and do the exercises with you. You can't hear your own sound the same way another person can, so, it would be very hard to correct problems yourself. You should try to find a good local voice teacher.

If you are a tenor, you should find it easy to find good and interesting opera parts, because some of the best were written for tenor and soprano voices. If you were a baritone, as I am, the options are MUCH more limited. You can buy vocal training lesson books that have some of the well-known arias transposed to the right key for your voice, too.

But there's no virtual replacement for a good singing teacher.

[scem0]

I figured. I'm not too keen on getting my ass up and out of the house though. ;)

I might get some vocal coaching a couple years from now when I'm in college and a bit more secure, financially. Although I doubt I'll ever be 'secure financially', being a student in NYC. :p

Thanks for the suggestions,

scem0

[mactastic]

Maybe sing along with Wing? (http://www.wingmusic.co.nz/)

[scem0]

I suppose it would make sense to learn from the best :).

scem0

[jelloshotsrule]

which school in nyc?

[Stampyhead]

Check out arias by Donizetti and Bellini. Although perhaps not as interesting as the Queen of the Night's aria (Mozart was going crazy by the time he wrote that, I don't think there's anything in the world like it), they will usually have some interesting runs in them at some point.
You know, you could always take the soprano arias and sing them as a tenor... (Just watch out for the high F's in Queen of the Night, that's tantamount to vocal castration...)

[MontyZ]

Check out arias by Donizetti and Bellini. Although perhaps not as interesting as the Queen of the Night's aria
OMG, not sure a tenor could hit that high note (even transposed). Not even many coloratura sopranos can hit it.

[scem0]

by transposed, do you mean down one octave?

which school in nyc?

Parsons School of Design.

scem0

[scem0]

(Just watch out for the high F's in Queen of the Night, that's tantamount to vocal castration...)

You know, they used to do that back in the day... (the castrati) :p

scem0

[SinginSoprano]

Free online lessons are hard to find, but not impossible.

Check out these sites. They range from actual free lessons to FAQ's to tips, but I've found them all useful. I'm a soprano (all the cool runs :)), but I think they all apply to a male voice as well.

http://www.berkleeshares.com/voice
http://www.invisibleworld.com.au/pages/singfaqs.htm
http://www.voicetraining.com/online.htm
http://www.davestroud.com/vocalfaq.index.frames.html
And don't forget the ultimate vocalist site: http://www.vocalist.org.uk . This site will become your new best friend.

As was stated, none of this can beat a real teacher, but this should get you started. Also check out http://www.beautifulsinging.com for some great videos, DVD's, and books on singing beautifully. I took the class of the guy who runs the site, and I am SO converted to his methods. He's in his 70's but still has an amazing voice, and is a WONDERFUL teacher, which comes through on his videos. I'd esp. recommend the DVD or VHS "Beautiful Singing: Not Just for the Chosen". And there's my shameless plug for the day. ;) Seriously, though, he's brilliant.

-Lis

[Dr.missy]

Melissiah here from Dreamquest Voice Academy. Thanx SinginSoprano for mentioning our website at http://www.invisibleworld.com.au

I agree it's not really possible to learn singing online - our website mainly helps singers with any queries or questions that aren't being addressed by their singing teachers. However we will be releasing a VoicePower™ CD series shortly that will help people who don't live near a coach or can't afford voice lessons.

As regards scem0 - If it is possible, try to save up for a term of lessons or even suggest a gift voucher to the family for singing lessons for a birthday/christmas present. It's all worth it in the long run! As for interesting tenor arias, check out a website called the Porpora Project (don't know the URL). Lots of interesting arias for all voice types and midi files so you can hear them before you buy. :p

[scem0]

Thanks bunches, Dr. Missy and SinginSoprano. I will definitely be checking all those sites out, and I'm thinking about getting some in-person training. :)

edit - I just read through the FAQs at your site Dr. Missy, and all the questions were answered very well. A very good read!

Thanks so much!

scem0