A Beginning Singer's Guide / Edition 1

by Richard Davis

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810835566
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/10/1998
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	5.26(w) x 8.48(h) x 0.53(d)

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.

Editorial Reviews

...a fine contribution to the literature on vocal pedagogy...

Choral Journal

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 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

From the Publisher

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