Professional Organizations: Vocal Pedagogy

Of all of the performance arts, that of singing is the most complex and its preparation and practice the most fraught with controversy. Teachers argue over the best method, and students often move from teacher to teacher in search of the ultimate vocal style. Technique is only one aspect of the singer's art, however. Considerations of musical and performance style, career development, and long-term vocal health are also vital to the successful singer.

An understanding of how the singing voice functions should be a prerequisite for all those who wish to teach singing. And fundamental to any safe and efficient teaching method is the recognition that the singing voice is a functional unit. Consequently, this second edition, like the first, describes the anatomy and physiology of breathing and phonation and examines the acoustical laws necessary for an understanding of resonation. It is designed primarily as a textbook for college vocal pedagogy courses. The updated edition includes more detailed illustrations and an expansion of the appendix on vocal misuse and abuse, including data on subglottic air pressure/air flow ratios, the phonatory mode known as belting, and the aging voice, especially as it is affected by hormonal changes in the body. With extensive bibliography

Combining the physical, technical, and artistic aspects of singing, the author applies current findings in medicine, acoustics, phonetics, and speech therapy to the singer's needs. The text demonstrates the scientific basis of exercises and vocalises, covering all major areas of vocal technique.

Popular for more than two decades among college voice teachers and their students, this outstanding, authoritative vocal pedagogy text is an invaluable manual. It thoroughly examines the vocal problems prospective voice teachers will encounter daily in the teaching studio and choral rehearsal. The author’s approach is a unique one, based in large part on diagnostic procedures similar to those used by doctors. As each vocal fault is presented, its identifying characteristics or symptoms are stated, its possible causes are discussed, and corrective procedures are suggested

Chapman, a singing teacher at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and The Royal Academy of Music in London, describes an approach to teaching classical voice that addresses the whole person, anatomy, and incremental components of technique. Topics she addresses include posture, support, the speaking voice, resonance, articulation, artistry, hearing, and working with the professional singer. In addition, contributing authors--who work in human communications, speech sciences, social science, and medicine in Australia and London--provide a case study (others are incorporated into chapters), and discuss the brain, teaching and learning, and vocal and respiratory anatomy.