a little problem here!?

Question

I'm trying out for my high school's musical in a week and a half.
I've been meeting with a voice teacher for a little bit now....
I thought I sounded pretty good when I started. However, it seems like whatever my teacher tells me to do, it makes me sound worse!! Seriously, almost every little change she makes in my technique really shows...for the worse in my opinion. I'm sounding more and more timid and more and more off pitch.
What should I do? Do you think it's just my imagination? Should I quit the lessons and just work on my song by myself?
I REALLY want to make the show and I don't want my chances to be ruined by my voice teacher when my audition was fine to begin with.
Need more details? I can add some more if you want.
I appreciate every piece of advice!

Answer 1

Not every teacher has good technique, however sometimes it takes quite a while for the changes to have the desired effect. It takes weeks to months to correct someone who's been singing incorrectly and things sometimes get worse before they get better. Why not be honest and tell her that you feel it doesn't sound as good as before ans ask why she's having you do something a certain way. Perhaps she can explain to you through musical theory why it's better for your voice that you relearn how you're oing things. If that doesn't satisfy you then get a second or even third opinion. Most voice teachers do not charge for the first meeting. Meet with a couple others and explain to them what you were doing before and then what this teacher is having you do, They may confirm your worries or your current teacher's methods... and FYI just because it sounded great doens't mean you were singing it technically correct. You can sound wonderful but be doing irreparable harm to your voice. Your teacher may be trying to save your voice for the future. It couldn't hurt to ask, right? Just do it without accusing her of making you sound bad.

Marianne

Answer 2

ask someone like a parent if they have seen any improvement in your voice. If no I'd tell the vocal teacher their opinion. You could discuss what might be going wrong. You could perhaps be worrying to much, that has happened to me before a few auditions and It makes me really frustrated, I'd be singing and I just think I sound bad when I really don't... relax a little. Most high school shows are really easy to get into so don't over do it.

Answer 3

Get an independent opinion of your new voice. The teacher may be okey and you just don't feel happy with the results. If you can find someone who is knowledgeable about singing and get their opinion without telling them who your coach is, then you will know whether to go with your original voice or the new one. Possibly the new voice may be better for the role if your teacher knows about the play.

Answer 4

No, it's not your imagination! Trust your gut this time...this happened to me before, with violin lessons. ;P
Quit the voice teacher you currently have, IF and only if you can find another voice teacher by the musical audition. If not, then tell your teacher how you feel about the situation, and if she can't talk it over with you and try to understand what you mean...but just says she knows best...then quit her lessons and practice on your own. Good luck at the audition!

Answer 5

if you feel that you are paying someone to help you improve your voice and you feel that its making you worse, then by all means QUIT!! You can always work with your school's music teacher. It shows them you are willing to work hard to get this part in the show. It will also show them how quick you can learn.

Answer 6

You are listening to your voice from the inside. You may not be the best judge of how well you sound.

Answer 7

because your nervous you just think you sound bad. Trust your voice teacher, she knows what shes doing.