A few years ago, before the internet boom allowed people to browse online for information, there was little knowledge on what was a voice lesson, and how it helped singers.

The common view was an elderly man or woman, with an operatic voice, next to a grand piano, watching the singer do a few silly sounds and sustained open vowels numerous times. And while the set up of this scenery is  pretty much still the same to this day, true vocal training goes beyond a lesson with a teacher.

It's not a matter of paying the most expensive teacher, or going to lessons just because someone tells you to do, or because they "gifted" you a few lessons to try it out.

Vocal training is a physical and mental act.

Having a professional voice teacher is indeed the first step and a very important one, but he or she will only be there to guide you, walking with you along the road, explaining fundamentals and providing the tools to free your voice. But those are just the first steps.

You can even call them baby steps.

As with infants, it takes time for their legs to get stronger and meanwhile, you may see a parent helping their child to stay on his or her feet, or the infant himself using a chair or a toy as a support. But one doesn't learn to walk while holding to someone's hand or a chair. Once the infant's legs are strong enough, he or she will be ready for those true steps.

Thus, as a teacher, I am here to hold your hand, to keep you from falling down. It is my job to teach you the good form and technique to free your instrument of unwanted tension, remove any behaviors that may be tampering your performance and finally, protecting you from injuring yourself. However, for you to become a better and singers and make it permanent, that only depends on you.

Vocal training requires time, not just ten or fifteen minutes, you have to squeeze at least half an hour to begin with. It also requires focus and good mentality. The mind governs over the voice and it's easy to forget about this and think the opposite.

Vocal training is hard work. You do this every day, you stick to it till the end and you do it right. Sometimes it may even feel tedious or unnecessary, but trust me, as a singer that had to start from the very bottom. Those high notes will not get to you by paying $200 for a vocal coach. It's all about you, you are the singer after all and with it, you must face the responsibility of being the voice of your band, brand or name (your name).

So, while it's always fun doing that you love, try not to forget that vocal training requires concentration and also seriousness. Your instrument is always at risk after all. Don't take it lightly. Work hard and wise, take your time, enjoy it but don't lose track of your goals and the requirements that need to be fulfilled to make them true.

Ever heard of the saying "never skip practice"? While this true for almost everything, it's crucial when it comes to singing. You can put makeup on, buy expensive clothes, heck even dance like an angel, but that won't make you a better singer. You will get some attention, yes. But singing takes practice, and practice is training.

If you are just starting out, whether you believe it or not, you already have a set schedule. Even if you say, "I only have school or work from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, so I'm free afterwards",

You are not.

Whether you are very active or just watch TV for hours at home, you have already set a mental routine that will be hard to remove for you to add a new permanent item. And no, don't ever say the word temporary. When it comes to singing and learning how to sing, there is no such word. 

Vocal training can take up from 30 to 60 minutes a day, and while most singers can squeeze some time in the beginning, many start to falter in a few months or weeks. We are talking about daily exercises, or at least daily warm ups. Specific training given by the teacher and rehearsing with songs multiple times. Sometimes this may look like fun, and to a point it is, but above all, it's hard work.

Not all vocal exercises will make you look cool as when you are in the bench press or doing pull ups. Some may even require for you to be alone to work without interruptions or anything that can make you self conscious of how you sound. Some vocal exercises, depending in your needs, will be repetitive and this can tire out even the most focused singers. 

But there is no choice if you want to get better. There is no shortcut or magic technique. There is no one exercise that will solve all your problems, and there is no such things as, "sing like the stars in 3 months."

You must work hard not only on doing the exercises right, but self assuring yourself that this training is now part of your way of life, that is normal for you to work on your singing as if you were watching TV or checking your Facebook notifications. It has to be part of you. 

Here is a secret: Most students that come to take voice lessons, do pretty good. But that one lesson is not  a one time solution. Constant practice is a must and this is where only a handful of students can stay in the race. This is why only so many people get in the most prestigious schools, auditions for musicals or win competitions. Only those who work hard and all the time, will have a taste of glory.

​Be one of them.