7 Reasons Zoom Voice Lessons Don't Suck

Thanks to the global pandemic, "Zoom" is a household word that everyone is sick of hearing. Back in March 2020, I would have told you that taking an online lesson was vastly different than taking an in-person lesson but now, after hundreds of hours logged on Zoom teaching voice, I can confidently tell you...it is actually a great alternative. There are, of course, downsides to online lessons - questionable internet connections, technical issues, lack of in-person, human contact BUT there are so many positives that outweigh those 'negatives'.
Here are some positives for online voice lessons via  Zoom: 

1. Your teacher can be up-close and personal with your face. This may sound weird, but if you have ever taken a voice lesson YOU KNOW how much we stare at you. Constantly asking questions about your mouth, your face, your neck...it's intrusive. But on Zoom, it's like a beautiful portrait of your face right in the computer. And honestly, it's way less awkward for me to stare in your computerized self than you mouth in real-life. 
2. You're in your own environment. There are folks that sing with so much more flow when they get to be in their own home - no traffic stress, no weird new home/studio, no unpredictable sidewalk interactions, etc. While I try to make my in-person studio comfortable, I am very aware of the people who have to expel a lot of energy just to walk through the door. And that is totally fine. 
3. Sometimes the sound is actually better. Weird, I know. Seriously though, there are students who (after years of working with them in-person) sang on Zoom for the first time and I suddenly became acutely aware of vocal colors, blips, bobbles, intonation issues, I had NEVER heard in studio. My amazing partner set me up with a great online teaching station, which include some badass headphones that DO NOT HIDE ANYTHING from my ears. It's like everything is funneled right into my ear holes. Honestly, it's made me a better listener. And because my primary job is listening - I'd say this is a welcomed upgrade to my teaching. 
4. Zoom lessons can really improve your ear training. I love playing the piano with my students in warm ups and when working on rep; I am not the greatest pianist but I LOVE the collaboration. On Zoom though, the latency prevents that type of collaboration. (There are REALLY awesome systems out there that can help the latency but I haven't traveled down that road.) When you're taking a voice lesson, typically the teacher will demonstrate the exercise and then play along with you as you move up and down your range. On Zoom voice lessons, the teacher still demonstrates the warm up but then you have to perform the exercise, alone, after each chord is played. This is fabulous for ear training. (Ear training is the process of connecting notes, scales, melodies, etc., with teh sounds we hear.) It's really a no-training-wheels type approach for your singing. It really demonstrates what the ears naturally pick up and what could use more work. The extra focus on ear training has encouraged me as teacher to broaden my focus from typically major scale progressions. Plus, I really get to focus on what you're singing and how you're singing it. Some teachers do have pre-recorded vocal exercises that you play and sing along with during online lessons, that just isn't my style. I customize and choose exercises based on your voice, your goals or what we're working on that day. 
5. You can take a lesson ANYWHERE. This seems obvious but it's a serious perk. Since I started teaching online, I have had students move for work, school or life and still have the ability to take lessons with me from literally anywhere. I had a student move across the country and take lessons from their car or in state parks along the way. I have a student who LOVES the outdoors...she takes her lessons on the beach in California when she needs some extra vitamin D. Of course, this doesn't work for every singer or lesson but if it helps you to keep singing, I think it's an incredible option. 
6. The share screen function is a fabulous learning tool. I used to feel like I needed to explain everything in detail to each student but thanks to the 'share screen' function, I have been really utilizing pictures and videos to support student learning. We use visuals for anatomy, watching other teachers explain a function, active listening for vocal styles, vocal colors, charts for vowels, etc.  The benefit for visual learners has been invaluable. 
7. Recording your lessons! Ok, you can record your in-person lessons too but Zoom recordings are SO awesome. Depending on your screen set up, you can have an audio and visual (close-up) of your entire lesson. I have many students who take the same lesson multiple times a week. It's an easy way for them to build in muscle memory about the techniques we talked about or review all the information I spew during each session. For some, it's almost like a game - can 'current you' make the corrections before I have to remind 'past you' to make them? Recorded lessons are also a great way to track your progress over months or years. Your entire vocal journey catalogued. 

Online voice lessons are definitely a positive experience for those who learn well (or teach well) in that environment. They are definitely not for everyone but the whole world of voice teachers is open to you online and they would love to work with you! 

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If you'd like to schedule a voice lesson or coaching with Jordyn, please send an email to:
[email protected]  

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