FAQ |
Frequently Asked Questions
“What’s the first step if I think I want to work with you but want to explore it further?”
Let’s get to know each other to see if we’re a good fit! Book a free 15-minute video call with me, and if we both feel like we’ll work well together then book a 90-minute exploration session after that. That’ll give me the chance to get to know you, find out where you’re at currently and where you want to get to, and for you to learn more about me, my approach and what to expect from us working together. After that you can book further sessions – either regular 1:1 work on your vocal development, perhaps using songs you've written, or a 1:1 coaching progamme focused specifically on songwriting. We can talk through options at the initial 90-minute session. You may also want to join my Cornwall Songwriting Circle project.
"Can I sing covers, traditional songs, musical theatre, and songs written or co-written by other people?"
Yes - while my passion is working with singers who write their own songs, I do also teach/coach singers who sing other people's songs. Also, most of the songwriters I work with tend to bring songs by other people every now and then, and some people prefer to start by singing covers etc. with me first to build confidence before bringing their own material to sessions. You'll need to learn the melody (it’s ok if you find bits tricky though!) and preferably memorise the lyrics of songs yourself before bringing them to me, as I don't teach songs from scratch in 1:1 sessions.
We might use specific songs for vocal development work, troubleshooting voice issues, or songwriting study/inspiration. I love getting inspiration for how to use our voices or how to songwrite from other people’s songs – my own influences (‘guilty pleasures’?!) are very broad and include classic singer-songwriters from throughout the last 60+ years, various types of rock and alternative music, contemporary and traditional folk, musical theatre, some pop music, and even Disney film soundtracks!
“What if I only want to work with you on my voice, not my songwriting?”
That’s fine! Book in for regular 1:1 vocal coaching/singing lessons. Bring the material you want to sing, including any songs you haven’t yet finished writing, because sessions are tailored to the songs you’ll actually be performing or recording. My approach is very collaborative and we’ll co-create the sessions between us. Sometimes we might decide to spend a whole session on exercises to develop your voice and not even sing your songs, whereas other times you might sing songs and not spend as long on exercises; or we might do a mixture, including sometimes using sections of a song's melody and/or lyrics as the basis of an exercise.
“What if I’m not a songwriter at all?”
That's ok! You're welcome to come purely for vocal coaching/singing lessons or piano lessons, using material written by others (whether well-known or not).
If you'd like support to get started on your songwriting journey, there are a few ways to get started. You might want to book into one of my 1:1 programmes in songwriting - such as “Discover Your Songwriting Voice” (in-depth, 6 sessions) or “Encounter Your Songwriting Voice” (introductory, 3 sessions). Alternatively, you might consider joining my Cornwall Songwriting Circle project and get inspiration from an existing group of songwriters.
You might also want to take a specific group songwriting course led by me (keep an eye on the “Courses & Workshops” page), or an equivalent 1:1 programme or group course run by another provider. Then you can bring your songs to regular vocal coaching sessions with me if you choose to. If you want longer term, focused songwriting coaching, the “Discover Your Songwriting Voice” programme can be extended at a discounted rate, or I could tailor a hybrid programme of vocal development and songwriting coaching for you.
Alternatively, there are lots of resources available out there (online, books, podcasts, Youtube channels) which can help get you started with songwriting - I've listed a few on my blog & resources page. Or you can just give it a go, tune into your inner voice, and see what you come up with. Over time, I'll be making some free resources to help people with their songwriting so follow me on social media or sign up to my newsletter to see when those are available.
Please do get in touch with me, as I'm always happy to discuss your individual circumstances to see how we might work together.
“How do online sessions work and what technology do I need?”
I usually teach/coach online using a free desktop video and audio app called FarPlay, which offers high quality audio and low latency (when using an Ethernet cable and with a decent internet connection and hardware) and has been designed specifically to enable musicians to play and sing together.
On my blog and resources page I've compiled a list of recommended hardware, but in practice we can often work around hardware limitations and the very minimum you’ll need is a computer with a microphone and FarPlay installed, a webcam and a pair of headphones or earphones. Please contact me if you want to test your tech set-up or ask any questions.
“What other equipment or resources might I need for our sessions?”
Most importantly, bring the songs you want to sing (both in your head and two copies of the lyrics for each of us to scribble notes on – or please send lyrics electronically if online), the instrument(s), backing tracks or music technology you use to write/perform your songs (if piano or guitar, no need to bring one to in-person sessions as you can use mine); and if you sing with a band, another musician or electronic music I advise bringing a backing track that represents the accompaniment you perform to. I have a microphone, amp and various other pieces of equipment and instruments if you need to borrow any, and you’re welcome to bring your own mic or instruments for hygiene reasons.
You can also bring a recording device such as a phone etc. if you want; I tend to record sessions myself (with your permission) and am happy to send my recording to you if you prefer. I also recommend you bring a notebook and pen for any notes you want to make and for any songwriting exercises we might do.
I also regularly use other useful equipment with the singers I work with, so please see my blog and resources page for the list I’ve compiled, with info and some links to where you can get hold of the items. Contact me to discuss if you're not sure what equipment might be helpful for you.
“If I want piano lessons, do I have to be a singer or a songwriter?”
No! Piano lessons are open to all adults aged 18+, at beginner or intermediate level, online and in person. You can play any material, any genre, and I usually teach piano students about reading sheet music, but if you want to learn in a different way we can discuss that. You don’t need a to book 90-minute exploration session before a block of piano lessons, but you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call to chat about your goals and previous experience and decide if we’re a good fit for each other.
“Do you work with children and young people?”
I have many years of experience delivering music education to children and young people, including vocal and songwriting coaching for teenagers. However, I am currently focusing my 1:1 practice, and the group projects I organise myself, on adult singers and songwriters aged 18+. I will consider undertaking commissions for group workshops and community music projects for young people under 18 if the premises, bookings, administration etc. are organised by a commissioning organisation. GDPR is one of the reasons for this. If you’d like to be kept informed if/when I start taking on young 1:1 students again, please join my mailing list.
“What’s your policy on bookings, payments and refunds?”
Please see the Terms and Conditions and feel free to ask if you want further clarification.
“Where else can I go for information about singing and vocal function?”
Please see my blog & resources page for some useful links to websites, podcasts, training providers and more, as well as ideas for some equipment you might want to invest in.
“How can I follow you even if I’m not ready to work with you right now?”
Please join my mailing list (using the form below), read my blog, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Any more questions? Please feel free to get in touch and we can always book a 15-minute call!
Let’s get to know each other to see if we’re a good fit! Book a free 15-minute video call with me, and if we both feel like we’ll work well together then book a 90-minute exploration session after that. That’ll give me the chance to get to know you, find out where you’re at currently and where you want to get to, and for you to learn more about me, my approach and what to expect from us working together. After that you can book further sessions – either regular 1:1 work on your vocal development, perhaps using songs you've written, or a 1:1 coaching progamme focused specifically on songwriting. We can talk through options at the initial 90-minute session. You may also want to join my Cornwall Songwriting Circle project.
"Can I sing covers, traditional songs, musical theatre, and songs written or co-written by other people?"
Yes - while my passion is working with singers who write their own songs, I do also teach/coach singers who sing other people's songs. Also, most of the songwriters I work with tend to bring songs by other people every now and then, and some people prefer to start by singing covers etc. with me first to build confidence before bringing their own material to sessions. You'll need to learn the melody (it’s ok if you find bits tricky though!) and preferably memorise the lyrics of songs yourself before bringing them to me, as I don't teach songs from scratch in 1:1 sessions.
We might use specific songs for vocal development work, troubleshooting voice issues, or songwriting study/inspiration. I love getting inspiration for how to use our voices or how to songwrite from other people’s songs – my own influences (‘guilty pleasures’?!) are very broad and include classic singer-songwriters from throughout the last 60+ years, various types of rock and alternative music, contemporary and traditional folk, musical theatre, some pop music, and even Disney film soundtracks!
“What if I only want to work with you on my voice, not my songwriting?”
That’s fine! Book in for regular 1:1 vocal coaching/singing lessons. Bring the material you want to sing, including any songs you haven’t yet finished writing, because sessions are tailored to the songs you’ll actually be performing or recording. My approach is very collaborative and we’ll co-create the sessions between us. Sometimes we might decide to spend a whole session on exercises to develop your voice and not even sing your songs, whereas other times you might sing songs and not spend as long on exercises; or we might do a mixture, including sometimes using sections of a song's melody and/or lyrics as the basis of an exercise.
“What if I’m not a songwriter at all?”
That's ok! You're welcome to come purely for vocal coaching/singing lessons or piano lessons, using material written by others (whether well-known or not).
If you'd like support to get started on your songwriting journey, there are a few ways to get started. You might want to book into one of my 1:1 programmes in songwriting - such as “Discover Your Songwriting Voice” (in-depth, 6 sessions) or “Encounter Your Songwriting Voice” (introductory, 3 sessions). Alternatively, you might consider joining my Cornwall Songwriting Circle project and get inspiration from an existing group of songwriters.
You might also want to take a specific group songwriting course led by me (keep an eye on the “Courses & Workshops” page), or an equivalent 1:1 programme or group course run by another provider. Then you can bring your songs to regular vocal coaching sessions with me if you choose to. If you want longer term, focused songwriting coaching, the “Discover Your Songwriting Voice” programme can be extended at a discounted rate, or I could tailor a hybrid programme of vocal development and songwriting coaching for you.
Alternatively, there are lots of resources available out there (online, books, podcasts, Youtube channels) which can help get you started with songwriting - I've listed a few on my blog & resources page. Or you can just give it a go, tune into your inner voice, and see what you come up with. Over time, I'll be making some free resources to help people with their songwriting so follow me on social media or sign up to my newsletter to see when those are available.
Please do get in touch with me, as I'm always happy to discuss your individual circumstances to see how we might work together.
“How do online sessions work and what technology do I need?”
I usually teach/coach online using a free desktop video and audio app called FarPlay, which offers high quality audio and low latency (when using an Ethernet cable and with a decent internet connection and hardware) and has been designed specifically to enable musicians to play and sing together.
On my blog and resources page I've compiled a list of recommended hardware, but in practice we can often work around hardware limitations and the very minimum you’ll need is a computer with a microphone and FarPlay installed, a webcam and a pair of headphones or earphones. Please contact me if you want to test your tech set-up or ask any questions.
“What other equipment or resources might I need for our sessions?”
Most importantly, bring the songs you want to sing (both in your head and two copies of the lyrics for each of us to scribble notes on – or please send lyrics electronically if online), the instrument(s), backing tracks or music technology you use to write/perform your songs (if piano or guitar, no need to bring one to in-person sessions as you can use mine); and if you sing with a band, another musician or electronic music I advise bringing a backing track that represents the accompaniment you perform to. I have a microphone, amp and various other pieces of equipment and instruments if you need to borrow any, and you’re welcome to bring your own mic or instruments for hygiene reasons.
You can also bring a recording device such as a phone etc. if you want; I tend to record sessions myself (with your permission) and am happy to send my recording to you if you prefer. I also recommend you bring a notebook and pen for any notes you want to make and for any songwriting exercises we might do.
I also regularly use other useful equipment with the singers I work with, so please see my blog and resources page for the list I’ve compiled, with info and some links to where you can get hold of the items. Contact me to discuss if you're not sure what equipment might be helpful for you.
“If I want piano lessons, do I have to be a singer or a songwriter?”
No! Piano lessons are open to all adults aged 18+, at beginner or intermediate level, online and in person. You can play any material, any genre, and I usually teach piano students about reading sheet music, but if you want to learn in a different way we can discuss that. You don’t need a to book 90-minute exploration session before a block of piano lessons, but you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call to chat about your goals and previous experience and decide if we’re a good fit for each other.
“Do you work with children and young people?”
I have many years of experience delivering music education to children and young people, including vocal and songwriting coaching for teenagers. However, I am currently focusing my 1:1 practice, and the group projects I organise myself, on adult singers and songwriters aged 18+. I will consider undertaking commissions for group workshops and community music projects for young people under 18 if the premises, bookings, administration etc. are organised by a commissioning organisation. GDPR is one of the reasons for this. If you’d like to be kept informed if/when I start taking on young 1:1 students again, please join my mailing list.
“What’s your policy on bookings, payments and refunds?”
Please see the Terms and Conditions and feel free to ask if you want further clarification.
“Where else can I go for information about singing and vocal function?”
Please see my blog & resources page for some useful links to websites, podcasts, training providers and more, as well as ideas for some equipment you might want to invest in.
“How can I follow you even if I’m not ready to work with you right now?”
Please join my mailing list (using the form below), read my blog, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Any more questions? Please feel free to get in touch and we can always book a 15-minute call!
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