Vocal coach – is it worth?

Question:

Vocal coach – is it worth?

I??ve had two vocal coaches in the last 3 years. Today I decided to stop visiting the last one because she was very abusive, for example she told me once: ??If I??d sung like you, I would have been kicked out of the music school immediately??. Lovely...
But I??m not sure I should find a new one. Each session went like this: voice warm-up, then I had to sing the songs I prepared for, then they told me what they thought about it. I can do this at home and I have my family who may be able to tell me what they think about my singing.
I??m also afraid that vocal coach(es) „force?? me into some singing technique that they consider the only way to go (because they all have their ideas about singing that they stick to). Every time I tried to experiment with something new that could be called ??my style?? they said it??s wrong, out of tune, bad technique etc. I don??t need that.
So do you think it??d be worth getting a new vocal coach? Or should I forget them and do it my own way?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Vocal Coaches are there to teach you repertoire. Voice/Singing Teachers/Instructors are there to teach you technique. Make sure you are working with the correct type. Vocal Coaches usually avoid addressing technique, except to the point of making sure your technique is appropriate to the repertoire you are learning. So, based upon your terminology, limiting your sessions to warming-up, listening, and then commenting is what they are paid to do. Voice teachers warm you up, listen to you sing, then work on your technique/musicality/interpret... etc.

Based upon your question, it sounds like you are using the vocal coach term to discuss a voice teacher. Therefore . . .

You are very, very, very smart to leave a situation where you don't feel you are getting what you want/need. There are a lot of voice teachers that will force you to use their technique. When you look for a new one, interview them. Find one that recongnizes that what works for one student does not always work for the other. Find one that will customize their approach to fit your personal vocal style and physiology.

Then again, if your experimenting with something new is really not benefitting your voice (or is making things "wrong"), then you also need to be open minded to their criticism. Ultimately, you want to sound your best. If they don't think what you are doing is helping, they should tell you exactly why - they shouldn't just shoot you down for trying something new. Often, it's through trying something new that you find better ways to do things.

If you think your technique is strong enough, then I'd try working with a real voice coach on just repertoire. If you think you need more instruction on technique, find a new and good voice teacher. If you think you're ready to go it alone, do it.