Oxford Singing Lessons
Voice development & the psychology of learning and performance
Alexander Massey
WHO I TEACH

I teach experienced singers, professionals and voice teachers, undergraduates and postgrads, and also committed amateurs.

I only teach young people under 16 in exceptional cases and all enquirers for young people must read this before contacting me.

Please bear in mind that, in strict priority order, I focus on
  1. producing good vocal tone, consistently and healthily, with no more, or less, effort than is necessary,
  2. the 'inner game' of mental mastery when singing and learning,
  3. maintaining good vocal tone when adding melody and/or words,
  4. interpretation of music and words,
  5. performance skills,
  6. competitions, exams, auditions and career development.
For these reasons, my criteria for accepting a student include that you:
  • are confident and reliable musically - e.g. can 'hold a tune', and after a few repetitions can pick up by ear the short musical exercises that I would give you; you don't necessarily have to be able to read music, but I will not help you with note learning, sight reading, or understanding music theory
  • have already developed a basic level of vocal ability - e.g. can sing a whole song, even if you find some the higher notes a bit 'tricky' [in practice, for a singer, vocal and musical ability are related]
  • have the capacity for self discipline, self reflection, patience, persistence, and the acceptance that vocal development requires a medium to long term commitment that includes having lessons at least once a fortnight, with personal practice in between
  • organise yourself to be making music with others (e.g. in a band, in a choir, in a musical show) - your musical and vocal development is unlikely to happen unless you are using your singing voice regularly, which gives you an opportunity to apply what you are learning in lessons
  • demonstrate self organisation and initiative in how you approach your own vocal development
Note that in these criteria, I am not 'talent spotting' or assessing whether you have a good voice, or potential for a career. I believe that talent is something every person can create for themselves through attention to detail, deep practice, hard work and persistence, and willingness to take emotional risks. For more on this, read Dan Coyle's book, 'The Talent Code'.
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Abingdon - Aylesbury - Banbury - Basingstoke - Bicester - Birmingham - Bracknell - Buckingham - Burford - Cheltenham - Chipping Norton - Cirencester - Cotswolds - Coventry - Didcot - Evesham - Eynsham - Gloucester - Henley - High Wycombe - Leamington Spa - Leighton Buzzard - London - Maidenhead - Marlborough - Milton Keynes - Newbury - Northampton - Oxford - Reading - Redditch - Rugby - Stratford - Swindon - Tewkesbury - Thame - Wallingford - Wantage - Warwick - Witney - Woodstock