So, what’s the difference between a “voice teacher” and a “vocal coach”? The terms sound pretty similar and people tend to use them interchangeably. And, the distinction is even trickier because the job descriptions do overlap.
Well, in a nutshell, a voice coach tells you what you need to do to make your performance better. A voice teacher tells you how to make that happen, and will work with you and your voice to give you the information, or tools, to work the issue on your own.
Vocal coaches are frequently excellent pianists who can play the accompaniment to your song, help you pronounce foreign languages like a native speaker, make suggestions as to your acting and interpretation, work on musical style, etc. Voice teachers are expected to have a background in voice science and the physiology of the voice, as well as knowledge of foreign languages, piano skills, musical skills, knowledge of acting and musical styles (especially as to how these styles effect the way you use your voice). It doesn’t hurt if a voice teacher has their own experience and training as a singer to inform the information they’re giving you.
With this background, a voice teacher can then work with you to develop the skills, or vocal technique, that you need to get your voice to make the sounds appropriate to the style, language, character or pitch level you need for the piece of music you’re working on. And, most importantly, to do it in a way that is safe and healthy for your voice.
We’ve all seen the vocal coaches on TV dispensing wisdom to singers, who then magically appear in performance with the problems solved. My guess is that there’s a voice teacher behind the scenes who helps that singer figure out how to get that coach’s advice to work in their voice. So, a vocal coach tells you what; a voice teacher also tells you how.
Well, in a nutshell, a voice coach tells you what you need to do to make your performance better. A voice teacher tells you how to make that happen, and will work with you and your voice to give you the information, or tools, to work the issue on your own.
Vocal coaches are frequently excellent pianists who can play the accompaniment to your song, help you pronounce foreign languages like a native speaker, make suggestions as to your acting and interpretation, work on musical style, etc. Voice teachers are expected to have a background in voice science and the physiology of the voice, as well as knowledge of foreign languages, piano skills, musical skills, knowledge of acting and musical styles (especially as to how these styles effect the way you use your voice). It doesn’t hurt if a voice teacher has their own experience and training as a singer to inform the information they’re giving you.
With this background, a voice teacher can then work with you to develop the skills, or vocal technique, that you need to get your voice to make the sounds appropriate to the style, language, character or pitch level you need for the piece of music you’re working on. And, most importantly, to do it in a way that is safe and healthy for your voice.
We’ve all seen the vocal coaches on TV dispensing wisdom to singers, who then magically appear in performance with the problems solved. My guess is that there’s a voice teacher behind the scenes who helps that singer figure out how to get that coach’s advice to work in their voice. So, a vocal coach tells you what; a voice teacher also tells you how.