Harsh Truths for Singers: Valuable Lessons from Lillian Nordica's Hints to Singers

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Hey Singers!

If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re ready for some brutally honest advice about the vocal journey. And while I’m all about honesty, let me assure you—there’s no brutality here, just the truth to help you grow and improve as a vocalist.

I’m Vanessa Ledesma Coffin, a voice teacher and music/choir director based in Los Angeles, California. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with singers of all levels, from beginners to performers in commercial bands and on Broadway. Today, I want to share with you the invaluable wisdom of one of the greatest voices of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Lillian Nordica. In her book Hints to Singers, Nordica offers practical, no-nonsense advice for anyone pursuing vocal excellence.

I first came across this book a few years into my teaching career, and I was immediately captivated by the way Nordica spoke directly to singers, offering guidance not from an academic standpoint, but from the lived experience of a professional vocalist. In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the key takeaways from her book that I believe every singer should understand. If these insights resonate with you, I highly recommend picking up your own copy—there’s a link in the description if you want to explore more.

1. Becoming a Trained Singer Takes Time

One of the first lessons that Nordica teaches is the importance of patience in your vocal training. She writes, “It is a mistake to do things in anticipation. The constant dread of not being able to accomplish things exhausts our energies before we come to them.” Singing isn’t something you can rush. It takes time, practice, and consistency to build the necessary skills and muscle memory to use your voice to its fullest potential.

Nordica also notes, “I had to grow up in music gradually and with patient toil. And that is the only way. There should be small, cautious, conscientious beginnings; the doing of all things to the limit of one’s ability, and a gradual growth.” This echoes a sentiment that I often tell my students: trust the process. If you focus on gradual improvement and take care to master the basics first, your voice will evolve naturally over time.

2. Finding a Good Teacher Is Challenging, But Worth the Effort

Nordica doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that finding the right voice teacher can be difficult. She writes, “A good teacher is a good teacher wherever found...having found a good teacher, a fact that must be proved by your all-around progress, and by the approval of your own intelligence, remain with that teacher until you are thoroughly grounded in your art.”

In my experience, a good teacher will push you to grow but never at the expense of your voice or confidence. If you ever feel like you’re not progressing or you’re leaving lessons with discomfort or doubt, it may be time to consider a new teacher. A truly supportive teacher will respect you and help you build your technique, all while guiding you through constructive feedback.

3. Criticism Is Part of the Process—But Ridicule Is Not

Nordica offers another important insight: “No teacher has a right to ridicule his pupil.” As much as we may sometimes fear criticism, it’s essential for growth. However, that criticism should be constructive, not demeaning. A great teacher will point out areas for improvement without making you feel belittled.

I’ve had students who were afraid to sing because of the harsh treatment they’d received from previous teachers. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of such negativity, remember that it is never a reflection of your ability, but rather a failure of the teacher. You deserve to work with someone who encourages you to grow with respect and empathy.

4. Emotional Control Is Key

Nordica makes an important point here: “Nothing has ever yet been learned by sulking.” As singers, we’re often very emotionally connected to our craft. It’s easy to get frustrated or upset when things aren’t coming together, but emotional outbursts or tears won’t help you make progress. Singing requires mental discipline, and the ability to accept feedback without letting negative emotions take over is vital to moving forward.

In her book, Nordica emphasizes using calmness and intelligence to approach every lesson. Yes, you’ll face challenges, but by taking a calm and focused approach, you’ll learn far more effectively than if you’re overwhelmed by self-doubt or anxiety.

5. Self-Discipline and Healthy Habits Are Essential.

Nordica stresses that success in vocal training requires more than just practice—it requires discipline in all areas of your life. She writes, “A regular life is a first necessity of success.” This includes proper diet, exercise, and rest. How you treat your body directly impacts your vocal performance. The voice is the only instrument we carry inside our bodies, and how we treat ourselves physically will determine how well we can sing.

Just like an athlete needs to care for their body to perform well, singers need to prioritize their health and wellness. Poor habits, such as lack of sleep or inadequate nutrition, will hinder your ability to sing freely and with power.

6. The Voice Is Not as Delicate as You Think

While we often hear about how fragile the vocal cords are, Nordica reminds us that the voice is resilient. “The voice is no more delicate than any other organ in the body,” she says. This doesn’t mean you should ignore signs of strain, but it’s important to understand that the voice can withstand a fair amount of training and use.

Endurance is key. Nordica advises singers to listen to their bodies and take breaks when necessary, but don’t fear pushing your voice in a healthy, controlled manner. With proper technique and care, your voice is capable of incredible endurance.

7. Sing with Ease

Lastly, one of Nordica’s most important principles is to sing with ease. If you’re straining or experiencing pain, you’re not using your voice correctly. “You should sing with ease; otherwise, the way in which you are singing is a wrong one.” This is something I remind all of my students—singing should never hurt. When you find the right technique, singing will feel effortless, even when you’re pushing your limits.

I recently worked with a young student who was struggling to find her mix voice. After consistent practice and learning to trust her technique, she achieved a beautiful, clear sound that required no strain. This moment of ease was a breakthrough, and it’s a reminder that vocal mastery is about achieving freedom and ease in your voice.

Lillian Nordica’s Hints to Singers is packed with wisdom that can guide you throughout your vocal journey. If you’d like to explore more of her advice, I’ve shared additional quotes on my blog. Nordica also delves into the mindset needed to build a professional career, which I’ll be covering in a future post.

In the meantime, let’s reflect on one final quote from Madame Nordica:

“Love of art is the secret of true study. That art is not to be looked upon as a vehicle for making money, but as something to be done beautifully, and to be done well for its own sake alone.”

This is the heart of singing—to do it for the joy and beauty of the art itself.

Thank you for reading! I hope this advice has helped you reflect on your own vocal journey. As always, keep learning, keep singing, and keep making the world a little kinder through music.