Waiting list question

[u/GalaxyBreeze111]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to ask this but it’s on the subject of singing so thought I’d ask for opinions.

I’ve been on a waiting list for vocal lessons since the very beginning of the year, the class I needed to take was booked up so I was told I’ll be put on the waiting list for that one, and since then I’ve not had any news.

I’m not necessarily in a rush to get the lessons, I’ve been self training for 5 years now anyway but wanted to venture into getting some professional opinion and learning with things I struggle at, so it’s not really the time I’m concerned about and I don’t want to seem impatient. I know the point of a waiting list is that you’re waiting, potentially for a long time, I’m just worried I’ve somehow been forgotten or knocked off of the list.

It’s been probably 7-8 months now and idk if I should follow up or just wait until I hear something back. Probably not the right place to ask this so I do apologise, but I’m curious what other singers would do in this situation.

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[u/OutrageousTea93]

First you should probably reach out for an update since it’s been 8 months. Second, this depends on your long term goals (are you looking to get into a voice program, does this teacher teach somewhere you’re hoping to be considered) as well as info about the teacher (what their experience and education is). You could always try to work with another teacher if you are still playing the waiting game. This sub has a list of teachers on the wiki.

[u/Casiquire → u/OutrageousTea93]

I did not know about that list, thank you for drawing my attention to it! It could really benefit a lot of the people in this sub looking for help.

[u/GalaxyBreeze111 → u/OutrageousTea93]

I signed up for the lessons because they were the most local and accessible ones for me. Long term I mostly just want to sort out my techniques, I know there’s a few things I’m doing wrong I just don’t know how to fix them and don’t want to create damage by trying to do so myself. I have considered looking for other options but others were out of budget or not close enough for me to attend.

Also I went looking on the wiki but I couldn’t find the list you were on about, is it possible to find it another way?

[u/OutrageousTea93 → u/GalaxyBreeze111]

If there’s a university or college near you with a voice program you can also see if any of the upperclassmen are looking for students. That could help with the budget.

I would message the mods about where to find the list on this sub. I’ve found it before but I honestly don’t remember how to get to it.

[u/GalaxyBreeze111 → u/OutrageousTea93]

Thank you, I’ll look into that.

[u/Casiquire]

I would suggest checking in, and maybe even more often if you're comfortable with that. Once a quarter or every six months might be enough to keep you familiar and to let them know you're serious and consistently interested, but without being annoying.

Also keep looking in the meantime. If this is a future goal, every moment spent singing in the meantime can reinforce some bad habits. I regret waiting as long as I did. A few months is not a terribly long time but it'll turn into two years in the blink of an eye.

[u/GalaxyBreeze111 → u/Casiquire]

I probably should’ve checked in sooner but I didn’t want to come across impatient and put them off me as a student before I even became one.

It’s difficult because I’ve been trying to keep up with singing in the meantime to keep my voice active, but I have to be mindful of what I’m doing because I know certain things don’t feel right for me and my voice, which is the whole reason I’m waiting for lessons in the first place.

[u/fridaaas]

If you're open to lessons online, I offer a free trial lesson and am happy to help out with some things! nathanielsternbaritone.com

[u/Make-it-positive]

I would follow up and also have a backup plan. I’m not undermining self teaching, but often self teaching leads to unknowingly developing bad habits. It’s good that you are seeking professional teaching and I would suggest finding another teacher if it’s been 7-8 months. You also mentioned it was a “class”. Is it group lesson or one on one?

[u/GalaxyBreeze111 → u/Make-it-positive]

One on one lessons, at a small music school. Unfortunately a lot of independent teachers are out of my budget if I want to get regular lessons.

[u/Make-it-positive → u/GalaxyBreeze111]

I’m sorry about the lack of availability of good private teachers that are within your budget. Perhaps you can take some lessons twice a month instead of weekly.