Beyond learning how to read music scores, what a singing teacher will do is to impart and train you the correct singing techniques. While a university professor teaches you about what you have studied and how to interpret it, singing teachers teach and train you on how to use what you have learned.
For this reason, the ability to interact comfortably with your singing teacher is very important. There must be good chemistry between the teacher and the student. It is therefore not unreasonable for the student to request for a 'consultation lesson,' when you are selecting your singing teacher. This is done so that your singing teacher and you may become acquainted with each and come to an understanding on the development of an agreeable teacher student relationship.
You want to establish some kind of rapport with your potential singing teacher. Ask yourself if you will be comfortable with this person because you will be developing a relationship with this person and training together few times a week. You want to enjoy learning singing and not have your singing lesson feeling like a chore. This is why you should never sign up with a singing teacher merely on the basis of a telephone conversation.
Always arrange for a meeting as you will need to explore your singing teacher's background although before your meeting, you will probably have researched much the teacher's background over the phone or through a biographical sheet that professional singing teachers should have. If possible, ask for testimonies from their ex-students. These testimonies will be an indication of how popular and credible your singing teacher is.
When you think that your potential singing teacher has sufficient and appropriate professional singing background that is comfortable to you, then you can proceed to ask questions about matters you find important such as the singing lesson's curriculum and your expectations. You may also like to sing songs of a particular genre, if so, find out if your singing teacher is able to coach you on the genre that you like, whether these are pop songs, classical or even jazz singing.
Unless you are absolutely certain that this is a musical match that will work, do not immediately commit to anything. Take time to see the other potential singing teachers on your list. Remember, choosing a good singing coach will definitely give your singing career a great head start, so choose wisely.
