What Makes The Powell Method Different?

Like many voice teachers, Certified Powell Method Instructors (CPMIs) acknowledge and embrace the vital importance of classical, or legitimate, vocal training. Unlike many voice teachers, CPMIs don’t believe this is where singing ends, nor do they believe that everything else is just unhealthy or a mark of poor technique. CPMIs also don’t believe that a singer can rely on one vocal technique to be able to sing all the various genres of music. A singer needs to know how to incorporate elements of several techniques in order to adapt to the style of music being sung. It seems that most singers and voice teachers have a very limited understanding of the vast capabilities of the human voice.

The Powell Method is designed to teach singers a combination of techniques and how to apply them to any genre of music. Certified Powell Method Instructors undergo a thorough training and certification program to learn to teach their students how to sing styles such as musical theatre, pop, R&B, rock, gospel, country, and jazz. Not only that, but students studying The Powell Method also learn vocal health practices so they won't lose their voices when singing, and they learn how to communicate the message of a song with passion.

 

Can Anyone Learn to Sing?The most common piece of feedback CPMIs receive is how easy The Powell Method is to learn. Sometimes people ask if they have to audition to study The Powell Method. The answer is always no—the job of a CPMI is to teach singing, not to be surrounded by people that can already sing. Many people believe that unless they are born with the ability to sing it is not possible to become a singer. Others don’t become singers because they believe they are too old to learn how to sing. These are myths. The truth is that natural ability and age are not even factors; all that is required to learn to sing is the ability to listen, a sense of awareness of the body, and a commitment to practice. And no prior singing experience or musical knowledge is required. Many students (of various ages) who referred to themselves as “tone deaf” or having “a horrible voice” were proud to call themselves singers within months of studying The Powell Method.

Singing is not like playing the piano where every time you press a certain key it sounds exactly the same; there are no keys or buttons to press with the voice. In order to develop good singing skills, the first step is to be able to develop good listening skills. Then, it is possible to learn how to translate that listening into producing beautiful sounds. Some people find it challenging to listen to and match pitch. This is correctable with practice and patience. The ear has to be trained to listen closely in order for the voice to match what is being heard.