Singing Lessons in English
Understand your singing teacher – and ask the right questions.
Singing teachers use a special mix of technical words and images: "open your throat", "keep it forward", "don't push". Learn what they mean and how to talk about your progress.
Key Words
Ten essential words with their German meaning and an example sentence.
| English | German | Example |
|---|---|---|
| vocal technique | Gesangstechnik | Good technique protects your voice. |
| support | Stütze | You need more support on the long notes. |
| placement | Stimmsitz | Think about the placement of the sound. |
| resonance | Resonanz | Feel the resonance in your face. |
| open throat | offene Kehle | Keep an open throat, as if you are yawning. |
| scale | Tonleiter | Let's sing a scale on "ah". |
| vibrato | Vibrato | Her vibrato is natural and relaxed. |
| phrase | Phrase | Breathe at the end of the phrase. |
| tension | Spannung, Verspannung | There's some tension in your jaw. |
| vocal exercise | Stimmübung | Practise this vocal exercise every day. |
Word Partners
Natural English depends on words that belong together. Learn these as complete phrases.
- to drop your jaw
- to relax your tongue
- to keep the sound forward
- to sing on a vowel
- to practise scales
- to make progress
- a lesson plan
- to push the sound
"Drop your jaw and relax your tongue on the high notes."
Useful Phrases
Sentence patterns you can use straight away.
What your teacher says
- Don't push – let it flow.
- Keep the sound forward.
- Imagine the note is already there.
- Breathe before the phrase, not in the middle.
What you can ask
- What should I practise this week?
- Why does my voice crack here?
- How can I make this note easier?
- Could you demonstrate that, please?
Talk About It
Answer these questions aloud, write a short paragraph, or discuss them with a partner.
- Have you ever had singing lessons? What did you learn?
- Which instruction from a teacher helped you most?
- How often do you practise?
- What would you like to improve in your singing?
Test Yourself
Click a question to see the answer.
1. What is "Tonleiter" in English?
A scale.
2. What does "Don't push" mean in a singing lesson?
Don't force the sound with too much pressure.
3. What is "Stimmsitz" in English?
Placement.
Explore More
More pages in the Voice & Singing series.
Learn to sing in English.
Learn the words, use them in real sentences and enjoy using your voice in English.
Relax. Support. Let it flow.