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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Verified degree or teaching certification of Toby
Verified degree or teaching certification of Toby

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Toby Smith

Bachelors degree

/ 55 min

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

Toby graduated from Lancaster University
Toby graduated from Lancaster University

Your vocal coach specialities

Harmony & Counterpoint icon

Harmony & Counterpoint

Harmony and Chords icon

Harmony and Chords

Ear training icon

Ear training

Melody & Pitch icon

Melody & Pitch

Rhythm & Beat icon

Rhythm & Beat

CoTutorCoTutor

AI modules

Summary

Podcast

Quiz

Learnings

Flashcard

Spotlight

Zero Risk Guaranteed

15-days refund

Free tutor swap

No cancel fee

1-yr validity

24/7 support

Learner types for singing lessons

Singing for advanced icon

Singing for advanced

Singing for adults icon

Singing for adults

Singing for beginners icon

Singing for beginners

Singing for kids icon

Singing for kids

Singing for intermediate icon

Singing for intermediate

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

Singing

Classical Singing

Classical Singing

Movie Singing

Movie Singing

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Singing concepts taught by Toby

Student learned 1 day ago

Student and Tutor began by discussing the student's successful application of vocal techniques during a recent church performance, noting reduced vocal strain and improved voice strength. They then clarified the difference between diaphragm and abdominal tension and performed vocal warm-ups focusing on transitions and pitching. The main academic work involved introducing and practicing "Epic Three" from Hadestown, with a focus on falsetto transitions and a new "diaphragm kick" technique. The student was assigned to continue practicing this song.

Open Vowel Sounds & Throat Relaxation

Voice Projection & Sustained Support

Managing Speak-Singing & Diaphragm Re-engagement

Training Descending Falsetto & Smooth Transitions

Diaphragm Kick Technique for High Notes

Diaphragm vs. Abdominal Tension

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Student learned 1 day ago

The Student and Tutor worked on advanced Spanish translation, starting with a review of the Student's written practice and clarifying grammar points, including the use of "más de" versus "más que." They then completed a Level 3 translation exercise from an article about social media and dangerous driving, focusing on accurate vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. As homework, the Student was assigned to translate a song from *Encanto*, emphasizing listening comprehension and handling poetic language.

Vocabulary for Current Events & Social Media Context

Verb Agreement and Contextual Choices

Advanced Spanish Article Translation Strategies

Translating Poetic vs. Prose Language

Spanish Comparatives: más de vs. más que

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Student learned 1 day ago

The Student and Tutor worked on vocal warm-ups, including descending scales and numerical patterns to strengthen vocal transitions. They then focused on the song "Epic 3" from Hades Town, practicing falsetto technique, breath control, and smooth transitions between vocal registers. The plan is to continue working on this song in the next session, exploring more lively sections.

Voice Registers & Seamless Transitions

Mastering High Notes with Diaphragmatic Support

Eliminating Neck Tension & Improving Posture

Optimizing Vowel Shapes for Resonance and Pitch

Navigating Speak Singing: Re-engaging Support

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Student learned 3 days ago

Student and Tutor focused on refining vocal technique, beginning with warm-ups to improve pitch accuracy and falsetto transitions. They then extensively practiced "Thunderbringer," working on consistent pitching within chromatic movements and dynamic control. The session concluded by introducing "The Parting Glass" for future practice, after the student decided not to pursue "Hallelujah."

Strategic Practice for Pitch Accuracy

Dynamic Vocal Control and Song Interpretation

Building Falsetto Confidence and Smooth Transitions

Consistent Pitching & Internal Musicality in Chromatic Songs

Vocal Warm-ups and Range Expansion

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Student learned 4 days ago

Student and Tutor engaged in vocal warm-ups, focusing on octave leaps and half-note scales. They practiced "No Longer You" and "Wouldn't You Like," emphasizing falsetto power, seamless vocal transitions, and precise pitching. The Tutor recommended new songs for future practice, and the Student informed them of an upcoming week-long absence.

Precise Pitching: Mastering Half-Notes

Falsetto Engagement and Power

Seamless Vocal Transitions

Breath Control & Diaphragm Support

Vocal Warm-up Techniques

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Student learned 8 days ago

The Tutor and Student reviewed Spanish verb tenses, specifically the present perfect continuous and past tenses (preterite vs. imperfect). They also discussed vocabulary related to video games and current events, practicing sentence construction and translation from English to Spanish. The Student was assigned to submit their written answer to a previous philosophical question for review.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Spanish Imperfect vs. Preterite Tenses

Vocabulary: "Parar" and "Medio"

Spanish Verb Conjugation: "Tener"

Spanish Idioms and Expressions

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Tools & techniques used in voice lessons

Vocal pitch training apps image

Vocal pitch training apps

Karaoke & backing track apps image

Karaoke & backing track apps

Metronome Apps image

Metronome Apps

Digital sheet music & lyric databases image

Digital sheet music & lyric databases

Interactive voice lessons

Record lessons icon

Record lessons

Mobile joining icon

Mobile joining

Parent feedback icon

Parent feedback

Open Q&A icon

Open Q&A

Pets are welcomed icon

Pets are welcomed

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