Are Singing Lessons Worth It? What You Really Gain from Voice Training
- Susan Davies
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
I’m a little biased when it comes to answering the question “are singing lessons worth it?” As the owner of an online voice studio specializing in whole-body singing technique for adults and teens, my instinctive answer is a big, resounding YES!
In reality, deciding whether or not to take singing lessons is a highly individual decision. What makes singing lessons worth it to one person might not resonate at all with someone else.
We already know that everyone can sing, so now it’s time to figure out when to step beyond DIY-ing your vocal technique. In this blog post, we’ll look at what you really gain from taking singing lessons, how to weigh the benefits with the investment, how to know when singing lessons AREN’T for you, and the many ways singing lessons can be utterly transformative.
DIY-ing your singing only takes you so far
It’s exciting to live in a time when there’s so much information at our fingertips. We can follow our curiosity anywhere it takes us!
This means that there’s a lot of helpful stuff out there AND a lot of nonsense. Discerning what’s relevant can be challenging, even for an experienced singer, leaving us in a loop where we take in lots of information but see very little long-term progress with our singing.
Singing isn’t a quick fix, no matter what social media would lead you to believe. Ninety-second videos don’t carry the nuance, individualization, or context necessary to embed meaningful, long-term learning. It’s easy to get some singing tips on TikTok to get you started, but those accounts don’t know your voice.
No two voices are the same. You deserve personalized, high-quality vocal instruction that helps you build the skills you want (not just accumulate knowledge) and systematically moves you toward your singing goals (whether in a 1-on-1 voice lesson, a group voice class, or from trustworthy online sources).
Looking for trustworthy online resources to get you started? I highly recommend Maddie Tarbox, Jenevora Williams, The Honest Voice Co, Body-Based Voice, and This Is a Voice.
Reasons to Take Singing Lessons (Whether You’re a Beginner or a Pro)
There are DOZENS of reasons people choose to invest their time, energy, and financial resources in voice lessons. Here are a few popular ones (or read the longer list in this blog post):
To train for career longevity
To learn the language of music
To develop new and specific skills
To receive support after illness or injury
To build confidence in expressing yourself
To offer yourself an outlet for creative expression
To understand why your voice behaves in certain ways
To receive feedback on your voice from a trusted source
For example, you might take 1-on-1 voice lessons at SDVS if you’re nervous about your voice but long to reconnect with it as a core part of who you are.
Or you might take lessons with SDVS if you’re an experienced singer who has worked hard for years but never quite “clicked into” the sounds you always hoped to make.
Even if you don’t plan on being a professional singer, voice lessons can help improve the strength, projection, clarity, and stamina of your speaking voice; positively impact your breathing and overall mental health; and strengthen your confidence in the sound of your own voice.
Your reasons to take singing lessons will be as unique as you are, so you’ll want to find a teacher who empowers you toward your goals.
Finding a Great-Fit Voice Teacher
This brings us to the most important consideration when deciding if singing lessons are worth it for you: choosing a voice teacher.
Not all voice teachers take the same approach to teaching, and finding someone who is a great fit for YOU is essential. Different teachers have different expectations around repertoire, practicing, or the level of partnership in the studio. Some studios, like SDVS, operate exclusively online. Others are hybrid or in-person only.
Some teachers take a holistic approach, while others follow a more prescriptive path. Many teachers have sub-specializations, such as working with adolescent voices, helping students navigate performance anxiety, or teaching musical theater technique.
For example, at SDVS, we work with teens and adults who want to confidently express themselves through musical theater and pop styles. Rather than focusing solely on sound, our work together includes the whole person, developing both the voice and the inner experiences that come with it. This means working through nerves, perfectionism, and the emotions that affect how we sound and feel.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking for a great-fit voice teacher:
Does this teacher understand what my singing goals are?
Does this teacher communicate in a way that I can understand?
Does this teacher have the experience and/or expertise to help me reach my goals?
Do I agree with & am I willing to abide by this teacher’s studio policies?
When you find the voice teacher who will tailor the training to YOU, you’ll have someone to cheer you on and keep you accountable as you move toward your singing goals–like a personal trainer for your voice!
Are Singing Lessons Worth the Cost?
Let’s use a home project analogy: if it’s a small project, you’ll probably be fine on your own or with the help of some YouTube videos. The more complicated the project, the more time, energy, and money you’ll save in the long run by hiring an expert.
Working with a great-fit voice teacher will likely save you time, money, frustration, and resources in the long run, compared to DIYing your technique forever. Singing teachers are trained to hear nuances in voice production. They’ll see and hear things that you’ll miss if you’re DIYing it. (This goes for experienced singers, too! It’s always good to have an outside set of trusted eyes and ears offering feedback.)
A great-fit voice teacher will also be able to communicate with you in ways that you understand. They’ll take that vague phrase “breath support” and make it clear and actionable for YOU in relation to YOUR voice.
AND I would argue that any great-fit singing teacher will help you attune to your voice and body as part of the learning process, which will make you a more independent singer as you grow.
Of course, it’s important to weigh the price of voice lessons with the reality of your financial situation. Ask about what you’re paying for. Some voice teachers charge per lesson, while others charge a tuition or membership fee that includes lessons, resources, and performance opportunities.
If you’re ever in doubt, ask! Chances are the teacher you’re considering working with will welcome clear communication and conversation (and if they don’t, they’re probably not a great-fit teacher).
When Singing Lessons Might NOT Be Worth It
Let’s be honest: singing lessons aren’t worth it for everyone, even if you find that great-fit teacher. Here are some reasons why singing lessons might NOT be worth your investment:
You’re looking for quick fixes
While people typically see gains in their singing soon after starting voice lessons, time is a major part of the process. Singing is a learned motor skill, and time is an essential ingredient for long-term, lasting learning.
You don’t want to practice*
It’s ok to be honest with yourself and know that you just don’t want to practice–or that you’re in a season of life where practicing isn’t realistic. Singing in the shower or the car may be enough for you right now, and that’s great.
*A great-fit teacher will help you figure out how to practice in a way that fits your life!
You’re not open to feedback
Opening yourself up to feedback is hard. It’s one thing to feel vulnerable and to work with a teacher who artfully and compassionately offers you feedback. It’s another thing to be completely unwilling to hear any feedback about your voice. If that’s the case, singing lessons probably aren’t for you.
Voice Lessons Can Be Transformative
Singing is about so much more than singing. Most people who take lessons with a great-fit teacher find that not only does their vocal technique improve, but their confidence also grows, both in and out of the studio.
Taking voice lessons can transform the ways you problem-solve, positively shape your relationship with your voice and your whole self, restore your agency, interrupt the stress spiral, and reconnect you with fun.
And here’s the most important part:
Singing–whether alone or in groups–enhances health and overall well-being, as well as encourages meaning-making, self-expression, and healing across a lifespan. Taking voice lessons not only keeps you accountable to what is most important to you, but also gives you the opportunity to be witnessed and accepted.
In a world that prioritizes productivity and thrives on disconnection, taking voice lessons can be radical, brave, and empowering.
When Voice Lessons Are the Next Best Step For You
You deserve to enjoy a lifelong love affair with singing, whether or not you decide to take voice lessons. Singing is a deeply personal, connective experience, and working alongside a great-fit voice teacher can be a fun and life-changing experience.
One of the greatest joys I have as a voice teacher is watching people discover all the things they never thought they’d be able to do with their voices. So much is possible, and we’re never meant to do it alone!
If you’re ready to take your singing abilities to the next level, or if you want to externally process whether or not singing lessons are right for you, email susan@susandaviesvoice.com or book a FREE Discovery Call at www.susandaviesvoice.com/booking.
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