Show Notes
Episode 21: Why I Stopped Taking Voice Lessons
In my early 30s, after more than 15 years of regular voice study, I stopped taking voice lessons.
Not permanently.... I just needed a break.
At the time, I knew I needed a break. But looking back, I can see that I needed something much deeper: I needed to learn how to trust myself.
I had become overly reliant on outside input. I was filtering my singing through other people’s eyes—worrying about whether I was doing things “right,” whether my teacher was pleased with me, and whether I was performing well for them.
I needed to learn how to hear my own voice, trust what I noticed, and ultimately become my own teacher.
And that experience completely changed my relationship with singing.
In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 lessons I learned:
1. Learn to HEAR your own voice. Not just whether you sound “good” or “bad,” but what you are actually experiencing. What feels freer? What feels more coordinated? What is working today—and what isn’t?
2. Learn to TRUST what you notice. Your intuition isn't the same thing as your inner critic. It’s the quieter voice underneath the noise that can notice, This feels freer. I think I need to try this another way.
3. Become your own teacher. This doesn't mean you stop taking lessons or stop seeking guidance. It means you stop outsourcing your knowing.
A good teacher brings expertise you don't have—but you are the expert on your own experience.
The goal isn't to stop listening to other people.
It's to stop outsourcing your knowing.
In this episode, we explore:
Why I stopped taking voice lessons after 15+ years of study
How people-pleasing and seeking external validation affected my singing
The difference between learning from a teacher and relying on a teacher
Why your teacher should be a partner—not the authority over your voice
How I used experimentation and play to rediscover my voice
How to develop your ability to hear your own singing constructively
The difference between intuition and your inner critic
Questions you can ask yourself when practicing
Why your voice may need something different from you each day
How to become more actively involved in your vocal development
Why becoming your own teacher doesn't mean knowing everything
How self-trust can lead to more confidence, ownership, and authentic expression
You don't have to figure everything out on your own. You need another set of ears, another perspective, or the guidance of a trusted teacher.
But you can learn to bring your own wisdom into the room, too.
Get the Free Joyful Singing Starter Kit
Want to start developing a stronger connection with your voice and your own inner wisdom?
My Joyful Singing Starter Kit includes:
A guided 2-minute centering exercise
A 12-minute vocal warmup video
A workbook to support your singing practice
DOWNLOAD HERE
Let's keep in touch!
Website: https://www.erinstewart.net
More from The Joyful Singer
EP 30: Saying No to Protect Your Creative Energy
Ep. 28: The Truth About Imposter Syndrome for Singers
Ep. 27: Letting Go of Other People’s Not-So-Helpful Feedback