Toby Smith
Professional vocal coach with over 15 years of teaching experience- Elevate your voice and learn to use your full vocal potential!
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Toby Smith
Bachelors degree
Enroll after the free trial
Each lesson is 55 min
50 lessons
20% off
/ lesson
30 lessons
15% off
/ lesson
20 lessons
10% off
/ lesson
10 lessons
5% off
/ lesson
5 lessons
-
/ lesson
1 lessons
-
/ lesson
Toby - Get to know your vocal coach
As a singer with over 20 years of experience, a Grade 8 Distinction in Trinity's Singing exams, and professional experience performing in the most prestigious cathedrals in the UK, (St Paul's, Westminster Abbey, Carnegie Hall), I am expertly placed to help both new and experienced singers improve to the next level. I have been teaching students for 15 years, and have experience with all manner of vocal ranges and ages, so you can be sure that your lessons will be tailored to your exact needs and profile. I specialise in vocal control and vocal techniques, making sure that not only can you sing to the best of your ability, but that you can do so safely and while protecting your voice. I focus less on musical theory and more on practical control, allowing you to get singing the pieces you want to sing, in the way you want to sing them, as quickly as possible. Let's start your vocal journey and explore the full potential of your voice together! Book a lesson to get started!
Toby graduated from Lancaster University
Your vocal coach specialities
Rhythm & Beat
Harmony and Chords
Melody & Pitch
Ear training
Harmony & Counterpoint
Learner types for singing lessons
Singing for adults
Singing for advanced
Singing for kids
Singing for intermediate
Singing for beginners
Singing lessons highlights
My lessons focus on building my students understanding of the bodily functions surrounding singing, in order to best utilise their own voice. For example, breathing exercises, diaphragm control, and an understanding of 4 main voice types, (head, chest, mix, and falsetto), are crucial, alongside knowing what vocal category you fall in to. You cannot teach a tenor, the same way you teach a baritone. This basic understanding is what underpins all my lessons. Therefore, each student receives a lesson plan that focuses on their individual vocal profile, goals, and needs, in order to make sure that singing feels like fun, not a job, as nobody wants music to feel like a chore. I have created personalised curriculums for over 100 students, helping them develop their skills for personal goals, professional opportunities, or grades, if they so wish.
Types of singing lessons
Singing
Classical Singing
Movie Singing
Flexible Scheduling
Allows 1h early scheduling
Allows 1h early rescheduling
Can wait for 20 mins after joining
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10 day Refund
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Free Tutor Swap
Singing concepts taught by Toby
The Student practiced discursive writing by analyzing a news article about DNA testing and formulating an argument for a mini-essay. The session focused on structuring the introduction and paragraphs effectively using the PEEL method (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link). For homework, the Student will restructure their essay, incorporating the feedback and a model essay provided by the Tutor.
Paragraph Structure: Point-Evidence-Explanation-Link (PEEL)
Moving from Description to Judgement
Essay Structure: Introduction Analysis
Analyzing News Articles as Evidence
Discursive Writing
The tutor and student discussed vocal techniques, song selection, and vocal warm-ups. They practiced scales to identify vocal breaks and worked on breath control and vowel modification exercises using "Ain't No Sunshine" as an example song. The next lesson will focus on a Billie Eilish cover and further vocal technique exploration.
Vocal Warm-up: The Numbers Exercise
Understanding Vocal Breaks and Mix Voice
Breath Support & Phrasing in Singing
Vowel Modification for Resonance and Power
The student and tutor focused on vocal technique, addressing vocal breaks, tension management, and the use of different vocal registers. They analyzed vocal performances and practiced exercises to improve vocal control, with a homework assignment to analyze song vocal profiles and continue specific practice routines.
Active Listening and Vocal Analysis
Vocal Tension and Physicality
Transitioning Between Vocal Registers (Mixed Voice)
Vocal Register Exploration: Chest
Head
and Mix
This singing lesson focused on vocal warm-ups, breath control, and techniques for navigating vocal breaks and the mix voice, using the song "Creep" as a practical application. The student practiced exercises to improve pitch accuracy, vocal stamina, and breath support, with the tutor recommending further practice on specific challenging sections of the song.
Vocal Control in 'Creep' by Radiohead
Diaphragmatic Breathing for Singing
Vocal Break and Head Voice Transition
Vocal Health and Nutrition
Vocal Warm-up Techniques
The tutor introduced the concept of discursive writing to the student and assigned a practice exercise using an extract from "The Sniper." The student attempted the exercise, and the tutor provided feedback on their writing structure, focusing on making points before providing evidence and revising their approach to analysis for future assignments. The next lesson will focus on further developing these skills and exploring additional texts.
Writing for Assessment: Essay Construction
Textual Analysis: Point-Evidence Structure
Analyzing Literary Texts: "The Sniper"
Discursive Writing
The tutor and student focused on vocal warm-ups and practicing challenging sections of two songs, "Vagabond" and "Closer." They worked on melodic transitions, breath support, and pitch accuracy. The student was assigned to practice the chorus and first verse of "Closer" and revisit the last verse of "Vagabond" for the next session.
Head Voice vs. Chest Voice Transition
Song Analysis: 'Vagabond' and 'Closer'
Vocal Support and Airflow Management
Pitch Accuracy and Half-Step Intervals
Vocal Warm-ups: Essential Techniques
Tools & techniques used in voice lessons
Vocal pitch training apps
Metronome Apps
Digital sheet music & lyric databases
Karaoke & backing track apps
Interactive voice lessons
Weekend lessons
Record lessons
Note taking
Pets are welcomed
Parent feedback
Vocal coaches on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.