A Beginning Singer's Guide - Softcover

Davis, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810835568 ISBN 13: 9780810835566

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 1998

Synopsis

A Beginning Singer's Guide is a vocal pedagogy with four practical uses. First, it can be used as a collateral text for studio voice lessons. The teacher can conserve time by assigning relevant reading in the book instead of making lengthy expositions during the lesson. Second, it can be used as a primary text for undergraduate vocal pedagogy classes. Many schools offer a vocal pedagogy class whose enrollment includes singers and future choral conductors. A special chapter for the future choral conductor containing methods and other aids should meet the need for an all-in-one text for this class. Third, it can be used as a practical guide for new voice teachers. A special chapter containing methods for new voice teachers and studio administration will be very useful to the new teacher of voice. Fourth, the book explores subjects not usually covered in music pedagogy books, such as notes on working with a pianist, improving memory, common acting terms, subtexting, and methods for alleviating performance anxiety. These important, yet often disregarded areas, further complement a singer's talent and skill. The author does not espouse any particular "method" of singing; instead, he applies a universal, scientific approach with the firm belief that singing can be enhanced through further musical knowledge. The sequence of the book follows the natural sequence of learning to sing. The book is rounded out with line art of the vocal mechanism, musical examples, tables outlining the musculature of singing, practical forms, information for the beginning teacher, and a bibliography.

About this title

About the Author:

Richard Davis (Baritone, D.M. in Music Performance, History, Literature and Pedagogy, Indiana University) is Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Texas-Pan American. He has sung with regional symphonies and opera companies in Atlanta, Rochester, Columbus, Wolf Trap, Chautauqua, and New Orleans.

Review:

A significant amount of information, some rather technically and scientifically sophisticated, is compressed into a relatively short book...Accessible and eminently practical, this attractive little manual should prove to be a valuable reference and resource. (Journal of Singing)

...a fine contribution to the literature on vocal pedagogy... (Choral Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0810835568
• ISBN 13: 9780810835566
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224