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
/ 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
Your vocal coach specialities
Harmony & Counterpoint
Rhythm & Beat
Harmony and Chords
Ear training
Melody & Pitch
CoTutorAI modules
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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 beginners
Singing for kids
Singing for adults
Singing for intermediate
Singing for advanced
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
Singing concepts taught by Toby
Student and Tutor engaged in vocal warm-ups, practicing agility and breath support exercises. They then selected "Thunderbrer" from Epic the Musical for new material, working on the first verse and chorus, focusing on characterization, breath management, and attacking notes precisely. They plan to continue with the second verse in the next session.
Theatricality & Character Embodiment in Song
Identifying & Releasing Vocal Tension
Diaphragmatic Support & Note Attack
Rapid Pitching Agility Warm-up
Embracing Natural Vibrato
Sustaining Long & Powerful Phrases
The Student and Tutor worked on vocal warm-ups and reassessed the Student's breath control, noting improvements in high and low ranges but struggles in the mid-range. They practiced fast-paced vocal agility exercises and then focused on the song "No Longer You," developing smooth tone, breath support, and effective high-range singing techniques. Homework includes practicing the first verse and chorus of "No Longer You" and continuing the speed-focused agility exercises.
Vocal Health & Warm-up Adaptations
Breathing Control for Sustained Notes
Dynamic Pitching & Speed Agility
Smooth Vocal Transitions (Legato Singing)
Enhancing Tone & Eliminating Breathiness
Powering High Notes with Mixed Voice
Vocal Placement & Protection in Fatigue
Student and Tutor focused on advanced singing techniques using Jeff Buckley's "Grace," discussing its high difficulty level and the technical nuances of falsetto, head voice, and mix voice. They practiced specific challenging sections of "Grace," focusing on maintaining vocal intensity and smooth transitions. The session concluded with the introduction of "No Longer You" from "Epic the Musical" as a new song to explore, and the next session was rescheduled.
Differentiating Vocal Registers & Their Application
Vocal Grading Systems & Song Difficulty
Vocal Control for Smoothness & Vowel Blending
Strategic Falsetto for Controlled High Passages
Navigating Complex Vocal Techniques and Phrases
The Student and Tutor practiced Spanish conversation, grammar, and vocabulary. The Student translated a Level 3 news article about hydration breaks in football and discussed word meanings and idiomatic expressions. For homework, the Student will find a Spanish news article to discuss next week. They also adjusted their upcoming session schedules.
Expresiones Temporales: 'Hace' para 'Ago'
Traducción de Textos Avanzados: Nivel 3 y Más Allá
Estrategias para la Expansión de Vocabulario y Fluidez
"Falsos Amigos" y Contexto en Traducción
Verbos de Encuentro y Asistencia: Matices Clave
Student and Tutor focused on differentiating and conjugating Spanish verbs in the preterite and imperfect tenses. The Student practiced forming sentences in both tenses, receiving guidance on regular verb endings, accent placement, and the specific contexts for using each tense. They also briefly touched upon reflexive verbs, and the Student plans to review the tenses and their applications for future sessions.
Spanish Imperfect Tense (El Pretérito Imperfecto)
Spanish Preterite Tense (El Pretérito Perfecto Simple)
Distinguishing Preterite vs. Imperfect Usage
Fundamentals of Spanish Verb Conjugation
Gerunds vs. Imperfect Tense (Actions in Progress)
The Student and Tutor conducted vocal warm-ups, assessing the Student's voice recovery and working on larynx control. They practiced the male melody of "Good Riddance," focusing on pitch accuracy and harmony differentiation. The Tutor introduced "Grace" by Jeff Buckley as a new song to explore vocal placement and mix voice, assigning it for listening homework, and planning to revisit "Good Riddance" and "May It Be" in the next session.
Silent Pitch Practice (Vocal Energy Conservation)
Voice Recovery & Gentle Warm-ups
Larynx Control for Vocal Health
Analyzing Vocal Technique with Jeff Buckley's "Grace"
Understanding Mix Voice & Vocal Placement Choices
Harmony & Melody Differentiation in "Good Riddance"
Tools & techniques used in voice lessons
Digital sheet music & lyric databases
Karaoke & backing track apps
Metronome Apps
Vocal pitch training apps
Interactive voice lessons
Pets are welcomed
Mobile joining
Parent feedback
Open Q&A
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Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.