Vocal Coach Shafiq Erwin Urges Music Educators to Use Correct Vocal Terminology
PETALING JAYA, July 4 — Singer and vocal coach Shafiq Erwin has called on aspiring and practising vocal instructors to exercise greater responsibility when teaching, warning that the misuse of musical and vocal terminology can create lasting confusion among students.
The 28-year-old performer, whose full name is Mohamad Shafiq Erwin, said the growing popularity of vocal coaching has encouraged more people to share their knowledge, but stressed that teaching should be supported by an accurate understanding of vocal techniques and music terminology.
In a recent post on Threads, Shafiq expressed concern that some instructors were introducing technical terms incorrectly, making it more difficult for students to develop a proper understanding of vocal training.
He said inaccurate explanations not only affect learners but also create additional challenges for other educators who later have to correct those misconceptions.
According to Shafiq, he has no objection to individuals becoming vocal coaches regardless of whether they are well-known singers, academically trained musicians or performers recognised primarily for their singing ability.
However, he believes anyone teaching vocal techniques carries a responsibility to ensure the information being shared is technically accurate and professionally presented.
Shafiq explained that incorrectly using specialised musical terminology can mislead students into believing they have mastered concepts when, in reality, they have been taught inaccurate definitions or techniques.
He said the process of correcting those misunderstandings often requires significant time and effort because students may already have accepted the incorrect information as fact.
The singer added that fellow vocal coaches frequently find themselves having to “re-educate” students by explaining the proper meaning of technical terms that had previously been misused.
He believes this ultimately affects the credibility of vocal education as a whole and can slow students’ progress as they work to rebuild their understanding from the correct foundations.
Shafiq therefore encouraged music educators to approach teaching with professionalism and a commitment to continuous learning rather than relying solely on personal popularity or performance experience.
He emphasised that vocal coaching extends beyond demonstrating singing ability and includes helping students understand the science, terminology and technical principles that support healthy vocal development.
Outside his performing career, Shafiq has become increasingly active in vocal education through Sevoce Studio, his own vocal training centre, where he coaches aspiring singers and artists from Malaysia’s music industry.
He said providing accurate instruction remains one of his priorities as he works to develop vocal talent while promoting proper teaching standards within the industry.
Before establishing himself as a vocal coach, Shafiq gained wider public recognition after appearing in the family-based reality television programme Family Duo, where he competed alongside his cousin, singer Ara Johari.
Since then, he has continued balancing his work as a performer and educator, expanding his involvement in artist development while sharing insights on vocal training through social media.
His latest comments have drawn attention to the importance of maintaining professional standards in music education, particularly as more singers and content creators begin offering coaching services online and offline.
For Shafiq, teaching is not simply about helping someone sing better—it also requires ensuring that every lesson is built on accurate knowledge, appropriate terminology and sound vocal technique so students receive an education they can trust.
