Musicianship Training

The Key is having the Singer in Mind

Musicianship classes are for all the concepts you wish you had time to cover in voice lessons, but don’t. Arabella’s Voice Studio offers private lessons in all of the skills necessary to become a better musician and singer. Those abilities include rhythm, theory, and reading notation.

Other musicianship classes are not designed with singers in mind. Students with a focus on singing can end up confused or unprepared for the practical skills they want to develop to excel. At Arabella’s Voice Studio, all musicianship lessons are prepared with singers in mind. Lessons are focused on helping you make music as soon as possible, so you can spend time jamming instead of cramming a music theory textbook. With this said, singers are encouraged to explore a secondary chordal instrument to support their training and increase their versatility as musicians.

Musicianship training can supplement your voice lessons by helping you learn how to read music. As you become more familiar with music notation, you can increase your ability to sight-read music. The lessons are taught with an emphasis on music theory for singers, so you can feel more confident when you open a new piece of sheet music.

Why spend time on the fundamentals?

When you understand the fundamentals of music more deeply, you will be amazed at how much faster you can learn music. You will be able to tackle more complicated pieces, and you will be able to enhance your music-making. You will be impressed at how quickly you can add new songs to your repertoire.

Possible topics to talk about include writing lead sheets, reading charts, song form, and identifying musical patterns and cliches. Lessons can also be tailored to what each student needs and wants to explore.

What are some ways that I can apply what I learned?

Singers are encouraged to put their knowledge to the test with creative projects. Some of these projects can include writing lead sheets, learning how to read charts, and writing compositional work.

Lead sheets are pages of music with the melody and chord names, without anything else. Writing lead sheets can help you prepare the music for gigs where you want to have a lot of music available. Knowing how to write and read lead sheets can help you maximize the number of songs you can quickly and easily add to your portfolio.

Knowing how to read charts can also help you accompany yourself on instruments like guitar and ukulele. As you grow more comfortable reading charts, you will be able to play all of your favorite songs quickly and easily.

Song form is helpful to understand for all singers. Knowing the theory behind song structure can make it easier to memorize your music. Also, it can help you write songs better if you are more familiar with the standard song forms.

It is helpful to understand musical patterns and cliches because as you start to recognize repetitions and forms in music, you will be able to play and sing more and more pieces. You will realize that you do not have to learn each piece from scratch because many chord progressions and melodic themes are shared between popular songs.

What if I know how to sing, but have never studied music theory?

Musicianship classes can help singers at any level improve their knowledge of music theory. If you do not know how to read music, these classes can help you quickly learn the basics. If you already play an instrument, these classes will help you enhance what you already know. Classes are designed so each student can progress at a level appropriate for and comfortable to them.

Many singers choose to split their credits between voice lessons and musicianship training. Singers are encouraged to form a plan that best supports their creative projects. If you are not sure how to make that plan, reach out to Arabella’s Voice Studio for a consultation. Arabella will listen to your creative goals and help you make a plan that will help you excel in your artistic goals.

AVS Arrangement Services

AVS is proud to work with a team of great transcribers and arrangers making your favorite songs personal and accessible. Students may request a specific song to be arranged for their skill level or have their original work transcribed as a lead sheet or piano arrangement.

Complimentary Consultation

Meeting with the arranger  + 1 complimentary edit

  Written Evaluation of singer performing their work

Final arrangements of copyrighted works can be purchased through arrangeme.com

Learn More VIEW ARRANGEMENTS

Can I benefit from the curriculum if vocals is not my primary instrument?

Arabella’s Voice Studio encourages musicians from other disciplines and instruments to also take lessons in the fundamentals of musicianship, as these classes can help anyone learn to make more music. The fundamentals of music are universal for everyone, and everyone can benefit from learning a bit more about singing with their instruments.

The curriculum is designed specifically for AVS, and students are all given the attention they need to succeed and build their musical skills. Musicianship classes will supplement your music-making and help you grow exponentially.

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    Ambassadors are students that are especially knowledgable about AVS programs. Book a call to have your questions answered from a fellow student's perspective.

    AVS Ambassador

    I'm a newer student at AVS and new to the Boston area! I work as a medical anthropology researcher, and in my free time I love getting outside to explore nature, staying in for a new video game, all things arts & crafts, and now building my musicianship abilities with Arabella.

    Working with Arabella has been very helpful. She has been very professional in her teaching and communicates well what she is wanting to convey. She makes it very easy to try new techniques and gives constructive feedback as she works with you to perfect your skills.

    Sonia S

    FIRST LESSON CONCEPTS

    What to expect in your first lesson?

    First lessons are no different than any other lesson other than we will spend a little more time going over past challenges and future goals. In your first sixty minutes, you can expect exercises targeted toward your challenge areas and project work that applies the concepts talked about in your lesson.