Showing posts with label singing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label singing. Show all posts

Gateway to Italian Diction: The Singer's Guide to Pronunciation (Book & Cd) (Gateway Series) Review

Gateway to Italian Diction: The Singer's Guide to Pronunciation (Book and Cd) (Gateway Series)
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Gateway to Italian Diction: The Singer's Guide to Pronunciation (Book & Cd) (Gateway Series) ReviewA great book - mostly because of the supplements (the CD - one of the few for Italian diction - and teacher's kit) and much practical advice!Gateway to Italian Diction: The Singer's Guide to Pronunciation (Book & Cd) (Gateway Series) OverviewAs part of a series of coordinated diction manuals and anthologies, this book helps students to move beyond diction to clear understanding and authentic style. Thomas Hampson says the series, "not only achieves an excellent study of the tools for proper translation and diction, it goes much deeper and more importantly to the teaching of musical and poetic expression from the inner side of the language." Every Italian example word or phrase is translated into English and is also spoken perfectly on the included CD by linguist and native Italian Dr. Anna Siragusa.

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How to Sing Review

How to Sing
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How to Sing ReviewNo book can teach a person how to sing--to sing requires intelligence, fortitude and a good teacher ultimately. If you are looking for a reference and many good thoughts about the subject during your studies, start with "How to Sing" by Lilli Lehmann. Mme. Lehmann's work, "Meine Gesangskunst," translated by R. Aldrich as "How To Sing" is complete in every respect. A word of caution: do NOT read the vowels as if they are in Italian or German--Mr. Aldrich translated EVERYTHING. Long A is as in the word "say" or "Hay", etc--read them as an American would read them. Realize also that her "Auxiliary" vowels are NOT sung as they are, but are merely part of the the MIXTURE--for instance, a long O (long as in the word LOW) contains the brightness of ee (as in three), ay as in say, etc--and these are her way of helping you to concentrate the voice forward--the goal of every true singer being resonance, brightness, the slight nasal quality (not nasal singing)and projection. Her great scale literally saved my voice (see pp. 95-100), and I have been using it exclusively twice daily for 3 years now with excellent results. Her sense of humor is European and refined, her outlook on art is timeless and her interpretations of songs such as Schubert's "Erlkoenig" will add a dimension not available elsewhere. While it may seem like a difficult book to comprehend, it is one that bears reading, re-reading and internalization. Naturally singing is an art that requires intelligence, fortitude and constant re-evalutation, and this book should be a part of any serious singer's library. Another reviewer stated she wished for a book that would teach her to sing--no book can do that, but what books can do is AID us in our studies. Do not rely too much on diagrams--Mme. Lehmann was writing at the end of her long career (her voice being at the end according to every report as lovely as ever--and her recordings, 1906-1907, made after a 40 year career on the major stages of the world at that time bring us a voice remarkably preserved and a technique that few if any ever attain), and as she herself said, the book is intended not only for singers but those who wish to understand the voice in all its particulars. Every singer must find her own instrument, technique and method over time--any teacher who promises a quick fix or fast method is deluding the student. Mme. Lehmann herself recommended a minimum of 3 years hard study before a student should even think of singing songs, and again, her method proved itself in the cases of several noted singers such as Olive Fremstat, Geraldine Farrar and others of note. Buy this book, study hard with a good teacher, take what you can and if possible, listen to the re-mastered versions of Mme. Lehmann's recordings. Go often to opera and concerts to hear the best singing available, and study, study and for a special treat, study some more. It is the only way to achieve anything worthwhile in this life. I have 3 copies of this book: one well worn and marked in, one less worn but read often, and an unmarked copy because I want to keep one handy at all times! My only regret: the original German is not available. Yes, singers must know other languages, and I am no exception to this rule (I sing French, German, Italian and Spanish at present). Buy the book, read it often, learn from the BEST! Remember: she sang herself under Wagner, Puccini, Verdi and other truly great composers and conductors. A truly intelligent singer will take what she likes and leave the rest of many sources--add Mme. Lehmann's sage advice and outlook, and you will be adding the best! Amazon.com can help with obtaining her recordings and the book--I ordered my recordings two years ago from Europe, (Amazon.de, the German branch) and they are obtainable more easily now through American Amazon.com. Again, I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and as one who has sung for 20 years in churches, synagogues(as acting cantor for 6 years every Sabbath, Festival and High Holiday service, some of which are 3 or more hours long!) and smaller theaters, I have had great success using Lehmann's teachings. I also would refer the reader to two other books available through Amazon.com: "Great Singers on Great Singing" by Jerome Hines, and "Great Singers on the Art of Singing" by Harriet Brower--Shirley Verret and Amelita Galli-Curcci used variations of the Great Scale of Lehmann throughout their careers, and in Brower's book there are several recommendations of Lehmann's art, one from Geraldine Farrar (who sang with Caruso) and the other being the account of "A Visit with Mme. Lehmann" by Ms. Brower. Remember: anything truly worth attaining will not come without work!How to Sing OverviewOne of the most influential of all singing guides by one of opera's first international superstars. Explores how to breathe correctly, produce a ringing head tone and execute a proper trill as well as important nuances of vocal expression, language, and role interpretation. Features recommended vocal exercises and guidelines for proper care of the voice.

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A Singer's Manual of Spanish Lyric Diction Review

A Singer's Manual of Spanish Lyric Diction
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A Singer's Manual of Spanish Lyric Diction ReviewI have found this manual to be quite good, which is convenient since there is practically nothing else out there for Spanish singing that I know of. Castel's book provides quick-reference as well as detailed guides to pronouncing Spanish, and he gives good coverage of Spanish variants that one may come across. The repertoire suggestions are handy as well. About the only thing I can think of to improve the edition would be a CD with audio samples of the various sounds, since there are some that are indigenous to Castilian Spanish. This of course would drive up the price, but I think it'd be worth it since most people purchasing this book *genuinely* want to sing well in Spanish.A Singer's Manual of Spanish Lyric Diction Overview

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Teach Yourself Singing: If You Can Talk You Can Sing Review

Teach Yourself Singing: If You Can Talk You Can Sing
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Teach Yourself Singing: If You Can Talk You Can Sing ReviewI found this book to be most informative. It has great exercises to improve your ability to sing and includes many illustrations to assist in developing your talent. I would definitely recommend this book. I am a retired teacher and found it great for my 10 year old grand neice. It is good for adults to children. She likes it, too.Teach Yourself Singing: If You Can Talk You Can Sing OverviewTeach Yourself Singing is the worlds best selling singing textbook, now back in print in an all new bigger and better edition. Over 250,000 successful students worldwide since the 1890's have improved their voice, for business, romance and the sheer joy of singing freely, as the birds do. Anyone, any age can learn to Tune Their Voice, using silent singing,sounds, words,songs and body tuning movements.Teach Yourself Singing is the only singing book ever written that offers a money back guarantee, If You Can Talk, You Can Sing. Are you the next Singing Idol or Got Talent Star? Could you use a better voice for Romance or for your job? Start Singing Today with Teach Yourself Singing. Your Voice Will Say Thank You.For infomation on Singing Lessons Online And via Email, and to sign up for our Free Singing Newsletter, please visit the TeachYourselfSinging.com website. Happy Singing, Timothy Kelly

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The Voice Book Review

The Voice Book
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The Voice Book ReviewI found this book to be very detailed, technical and while a professional speaker might appreciate it, the beginner would most probably not. Michael McCallion is recognized by many as an authority in the field, as I discovered later, and he painstakingly touches every area one needs to know about voice. However, I felt disoriented with my reading. I needed something to guide me through the complexity of the book and help me set out a plan, but I found none of that. Metaphorically speaking, it was as if instead of a fitness guide, I was reading a medical book.
I found the book too dry to go through all details because I did not know which detail is relevant to me. I kept wondering which exercise I should do, in what order and which ones are suitable for me. In my view this book does a much better service for the initiated such as actors or public speakers or at least people that went through voice training programs before. If you are one of these people, the book offers good material to choose from, including voice exercises.
Another aspect that I found missing from the book was any form of relationship between the author and the reader. There wasn't anything in the book to refer to personal experience, encouragement or advise or something to give you an indication that you will do well (or not), even if you are not a professional speaker. Confidence is a huge factor in any personal improvement enterprise.
The first 100 pages talk about Body, Breathing and Tuning. Most of this is about the anatomy of the body, in a rather scholastic tone. I read it with difficulty mainly because I could not see how I fit into this and I could not identify which part is important for me. The author seems to be very professional and knowledgeable, I suspect he didn't miss much from all the mechanics of voice production, but he did not offer too much help for the reader to make a decision and self-assess the situation.
The next 70 pages are about Speech. After a few pages with technical terms (diagrams showing how the vowels are produced), to my relief, I found finally some practical exercises.
The final section of the book, Using Your Voice, describe in the usual very detailed style, what to do with your voice and how to take care of it. It advises actors, teachers, radio presenters, etc what to do to warm up, on stage and in between.
Overall, I believe this book is more useful for professional speakers (actors, radio presenters, etc) speech trainers looking for inspiration than to uninitiated people.
The Voice Book OverviewA practical manual for voice users of all kinds, "The Voice Book" is written by one of the world's leading voice teachers. Michael McCallion has spent over 35 years training various professionals, from performers to auctioneers, how to use their voice. Used throughout the world in actor training and as suggested reading for lawyers, the earlier edition of "The Voice Book" became the classic work on using one's voice. It has now been revised to make use of the feedback from numerous readers of the earlier edition. Clearly written and easy to use, McCallion covers everything from Body Use and Breathing, to Tuning and Voice Energy. Whether you are a professional or amateur actor, a classical or popular singer, a teacher, or need to present for business, "The Voice Book" will help you discover how to use your voice freely, powerfully and with pleasure.

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Speak with Distinction: The Classic Skinner Method to Speech on the Stage Review

Speak with Distinction: The Classic Skinner Method to Speech on the Stage
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Speak with Distinction: The Classic Skinner Method to Speech on the Stage ReviewI am a theater student at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. This book is required in my speech class and it is amazing. This book teaches one the fundamentals of how to read and write in phonetics. It also has many pages full of drills one can use to perfect their speech. Easy to follow and a handy book to use.Speak with Distinction: The Classic Skinner Method to Speech on the Stage OverviewWidely recognized as the most complete and rigorous text of its kind since it was first published in 1942, Speak With Distinction is an invaluable resource. It presents a comprehensive study of the sounds of Spoken English in their most important phonetic environments. This most recent revision also adds much material for comparisons of speech sounds; suggestions for accurate, efficient and conversational ways of combining the sounds into connected utterance; indications that foster a working knowledge of two dialects of speech (General American and what Mrs. Skinner called Good Speech for classic and elevated texts); and beginning material to show application of the principles of Good Speech to well-written texts. Some important additions to the book are the extensive Glossary and Index, abundant guides to pronunciations, new sections featuring such details as the complete "Ask-List" of words, a program for the elimination of glottal attacks of vowel and dipthong sounds, greatly expanded practice material of phrases and sentences, and an updated Chart showing several levels of phonetic transcription and spelling equivalents in current usage. Speak With Distinction can be used in several ways: as a primary educational textbook for both the beginning and advanced actor; as a supplementary textbook for teachers and students who have their own methods and agenda for study; and as a reference book for teachers, speech coaches and directors.

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On the Art of Singing Review

On the Art of Singing
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On the Art of Singing ReviewRichard Miller has compiled a number of his columns formerly published in NATS Journal of Singing. Sorting the subject matter into four broader categories, he deals with issues of training the singing voice, musical style and interpretation, preparation for the professional life, and the singing voice and vocal function. Miller has definite biases and is not afraid to voice them. His essays are usually succinct and to the point, spiced up with comments such as: "Someone should call a halt to the proliferation of so-called "master classes" presented by performing artists who normally do not teach." and "Woofy baritones, tinny tenors, strident sopranos, and bovine mezzos can in no way serve as surrogates for healthy voices that sound like baritones, tenors, sopranos, and mezzos because their instruments work efficiently."This is a great read and must for voice teachers and students of singing.On the Art of Singing OverviewThis engaging and long influential collection of essays looks at the art of singing in its totality.Written in a lively, non-technical style, On the Art of Singing is a comprehensive manual that deals with all aspects of singing, from the physiology and acoustics of the singing voice to career-building.Divided into four main sections -- vocal technique, style and interpretation, professional preparation, and vocal pedagogy - the book's structure is such that the reader may pick and choose as personal interests and needs dictate.Containing essential information for all singers, including original research on the mechanics of the voice, this book collects in one volume everything that renowned instructor and singer Richard Miller considers essential to the art of vocal performance.To anyone seeking that elusive state of vocal freedom, whether as a singer or instructor of singers, and to anyone else interested in voice, vocal technique or vocal performance, On the Art of Singing will prove an indispensible guide.

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The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice Review

The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice
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The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice ReviewFor a long time, I have been attracted to a strong, low and clear voice. I like especially the feelings of energy and confidence coming from the person with that voice. The Voice Book by Kate DeVore and Starr Cookman is a well-written book that helped me understand how to get the voice. There are a good amount of easy and simple exercises in the book that make you feel a quality change in your voice. The book mainly educates us about details such as body alignment, low breathing, opening up a vocal tract and forward resonance (vibration ). A few chapters are also spent on methods and tips on how to protect and maintain voice. In addition, I particularly like that fact that the authors do not forget to mention psychological factors such as confidence and approachability. These factors could influence your relaxation of your body, which in turn facilitates the physical quality.
While I was reading this book, I came to understand that a great quality of voice should be produced in a healthy and relaxed way. Some of us mistakenly try to take on a low tone by forcefully lowering your voice. This is a mistake. It could make your voice sound fake or, in a worse case, injure your throat. A great voice, on contrary, can be achieved by "freeing your natural voice" with a little effort. This book shows how to do just that.
I picked up this book to learn to become better in communication. Having a greater sense of control over my voice allows me to communicate more delicately nuanced subtleties in social and business situations. "The Voice Book" was of great help for my specific purpose. But it will be as helpful for any other purpose since the book is written for anyone who cares about voice.
Finally, the book is accompanied by a CD. Just listening to the authors' voices, I was amazed by their powerful, beautiful and very clear voices. It just sounds as if there were a high quality stereo inside of their bodies. The moment I heard the voices, I just simply felt I got right people to rely on.The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice OverviewMore than 30 million Americans rely on their voices for their jobs--from teachers, religious leaders, and entertainers to lawyers, executives, salespeople, and doctors. A controlled voice increases self-confidence and enhances charisma, approachability, and trustworthiness. Yet an astounding 30 percent of professionals develop preventable vocal problems that could ruin their careers. And most do not know that both the quality and tone of one's voice can be changed. The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice is a one-of-a-kind reference that will save and improve your voice, your job, and your personal life. With dozens of vocal exercises and a detailed guide to the anatomy and physiology of voice, the book covers the full range of vocal health, from protecting against hoarseness and laryngitis to expanding speaking range and enhancing voice tone and quality. Illustrations, photographs, FAQs, and an accompanying CD make The Voice Book the first vocal self-help book of its kind and a must-read for anyone who wants a dependable, strong, and engaging voice.

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Singing Tongue Twisters A-Z Review

Singing Tongue Twisters A-Z
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Singing Tongue Twisters A-Z ReviewBrian Kane's "Singing Tongue Twister's A-Z" is a MUST HAVE for music teachers. As an elementary music specialist and choral director, I am constantly looking for vocal warmups which will improve students' diction and vocal technique. Brian's warmups challenge young singers to exaggerate consonants so that their voices find their natural resonance. The sing-along CD is a fantastic model with a single male and female voice. My students' favorites are 'Chester Cheetah' and '999 Indiana Nuns.' If they had their way, they would create a concert program with tongue twister warm ups alone! I Love this book!Singing Tongue Twisters A-Z OverviewSinging Tongue Twisters A-Z contains 50 fun filled wacky warm-ups to improve pronunciation, vocal range and technique.Perfect for teachers and kids, this fun sing-a-long book contains music tongue twisters of variable difficulty levels, read-a-long worksheets, and a 50 track sing-a-long CD. Singing Tongue Twisters is an excellent warm up tool for choral groups and a fun practice workbook for individual singers.80 Pages with CD.

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