Cross-Training in the Voice Studio: A Balancing Act is an innovative resource for teachers and students of singing in today's evolving professional landscape. Saunders Barton and Spivey offer an inside view of their applied studios and the results of the cross-training process. As vocal performance demands continue to change, singers must adapt in order to stay competitive in the job market. The authors address this challenge and provide a practical technical approach to developing the most flexible and resilient singing voices - the essence of their philosophy of "bel canto can belto," embracing classical and vernacular styles. Key Features In-depth chapter on resonance/registration for voice buildingCross-training in the academic vs. the private studioCross-training with repertoireCoverage of multi-disciplinary training: how acting, speech, movement, and dance support studio effortStudent recordings enhance concepts within the text Cross Training in the Voice Studio: A Balancing Act is a must-read for anyone in the singing profession seeking insight on cross-training.
A Systematic Approach to Voice: The Art of Studio Application is a professional resource presenting a framework for the integration of science-informed principles of voice production and pedagogical application in the training of singers. Author Dr. Kari Ragan has spent years using this organizational template of the five voice systems—respiration, phonation, registration, articulation, and resonance—to identify technical challenges and design corrective vocal exercises in order to facilitate efficient singing. Each of the voice system chapters contains a brief overview of the mechanics as well as key points for teachers, or “teacher takeaways.” The book’s core offering is vocal exercises which, framed within a systematic approach, provide strategies for the art of studio application. The intent is an approach that leads to technically proficient singing working in service of great artistry. Key Features: * Over 85 vocal exercises for studio application framed within a systematic approach for both a CCM and classical aesthetic * Brief overview of the mechanics of each voice system and relevant “teacher takeaways” * Extensive discussion on semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises * Introduction of several kinesthetic singing tools * Eight sample warm-up protocols designed for various levels of singers and both CCM and classical genres * Video demonstrations for each vocal exercise and sample warm-up
Contemporary actor training in the US and UK has become increasingly multicultural and multilinguistic. Border-crossing, cross-cultural exchange in contemporary theatre practices, and the rise of the intercultural actor has meant that actor training today has been shaped by multiple modes of training and differing worldviews. How might mainstream Anglo-American voice training for actors address the needs of students who bring multiple worldviews into the training studio? When several vocal training traditions are learned simultaneously, how does this shift the way actors think, talk, and perform? How does this change the way actors understand what a voice is? What it can/should do? How it can/should do it? Using adaptations of a traditional Korean vocal art, p’ansori, with adaptations of the "natural" or "free" voice approach, Tara McAllister-Viel offers an alternative approach to training actors’ voices by (re)considering the materials of training: breath, sound, "presence," and text. This work contributes to ongoing discussions about the future of voice pedagogy in theatre, for those practitioners and scholars interested in performance studies, ethnomusicology, voice studies, and intercultural theories and practices.
If you are a singer, you are an athlete. And the athletic skills that make you a great vocalist come from one source: your brain.The Singing Athlete is the first book of its kind: a view on voice training through the lens of both the physical body and the nervous system. As one of the top teachers of professional Broadway performers, Andrew Byrne has developed a unique synthesis of athletics and neuroscience that will guide you to higher levels of performance. In addition to his work on Broadway, Andrew is devoted to studying the training methods used by Olympic athletes as a Master Practitioner of Z-Health functional applied neuroscience. He has taken thousands of hours of research and boiled it down into an easily digestible form that will help you unlock amazing new vocal skills. When you buy The Singing Athlete, you're not just picking up a book. You're getting a complete training system. With your purchase, you get lifetime access to The Singing Athlete Video Guide, a companion website that includes over 150 training videos. You'll learn the correct form for every drill, explore awesome bonus content, and download PDFs to track your progress. Through the fully illustrated book and the accompanying videos, you will learn to: Breathe correctly for stress reduction and optimal vocal support Exercise your tongue, jaw, and throat in ways that lower threat in your brain Use your ears and eyes to improve vocal range and stamina Heal any scars that might be holding you back Eliminate reflux, tinnitus, sinus problems, and other vocal stumbling blocks Move better, feel better, and sing better FAQs How is The Singing Athlete different from other vocal training systems? When you study voice, your instructor is always practicing neurology--either accidentally or on purpose. A lot of voice systems can tell you about the anatomy of the voice, but The Singing Athlete provides a crucial missing piece--how to train your brain. Once you understand how your nervous system is in charge of your singing, the way you practice will shift forever, and everything your teacher says will make more sense. I'm an instructor of a certain style of vocal training. Can I integrate The Singing Athlete into what I already do? That is one of the greatest strengths of this system; this material can fit in seamlessly with almost any style of training. The Singing Athlete is designed to complement what you already do, providing a new framework to expand and focus your thinking. Lisa Rochelle (NYC Singing Voice Specialist) says it this way: "The Singing Athlete negates no other system, no other technique, and no other pedagogy. It can be used to meet a singer where they are." How will I know if this training is working? The process in The Singing Athlete (known as "Assess and Reassess") will you show you precisely what kind of exercise your voice appreciates. With The Singing Athlete, there is no guesswork and you will be sure you are doing the right drills. I'm not a Broadway singer--I sing other styles (pop/country/R&B/classical, etc.) Can I get good results from this book? The Singing Athlete is independent of vocal style. You can apply these exercises to any vocal style, from heavy metal to grand opera. Whether you want to sing "Quando m'en vo" or "Call Me Maybe", Andrew has got you covered. How does The Singing Athlete Video Guide work? Learning movement is a visual process. To get the most out of the exercises, Andrew has shot a video of each drill. This will allow you to make sure you've got the form right, as well as learn details about how to use and tweak the drills. Once you've purchased the book, you can get lifetime access to the Video Guide at thesingingathlete.com. (Plus, there are some cool songs there, too.)
Singing and the Actor takes the reader step by step through a practical training programme relevant to the modern singing actor and dancer. A variety of contemporary voice qualities including Belting and Twang are explained, with excercises for each topic.
Performers of all ages and abilities will gain valuable insight into the mechanics, psychology and physiology of singing. The accompanying CD - in Jennifer's own voice - captures a conversation about her ideas and journey, as well as exercises that will help you discover and release your true and best instrument.
The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, Second Edition is a compilation of voice exercises created and used by well-known voice pedagogues from preeminent colleges, established private studios, and clinical settings. The exercises focus on various aspects of contemporary commercial music (CCM) including bodywork, mental preparation, registration, and much more. New to the Second Edition: * 20 new singing exercises * Updated and expanded exercises, figures, and references throughout Related Textbook The book is designed to accompany the textbook, The Vocal Athlete, Second Edition, a first of its kind in singing science and pedagogy developed for singers of all styles with a particular emphasis on CCM. The Vocal Athlete text and workbook are invaluable tools for anyone who uses or trains the singing voice or works with CCM singers. Disclaimer: Please note that ancillary content (such as documents, audio, and video, etc.) may not be included as published in the original print version of this book.
What Every Singer Needs to Know About the Body, Fourth Edition gives singers and teachers a Body Mapping resource—from anatomy and physiology to body awareness—that helps them discover and correct misconceptions about how their bodies are designed and how they function. This book provides detailed descriptions of the structures and movements necessary for healthy and efficient body awareness, balance, breathing, phonation, resonance, articulation, and gesture. Many voice books focus on the anatomical facts, but leave singers asking, "How can I apply this to my singing?" What Every Singer Needs to Know About the Body helps to answer that question, providing practical exercises and detailed illustrations. New to This Edition: * Updated and revised content throughout the text * Bulleted review sections for each chapter * New and updated links to recommended videos * Information on Biotensegrity and how it pertains to Body Mapping, along with helpful links to resources on the subject * An expanded glossary What Every Singer Needs to Know About the Body includes audio and video recordings of the exploratory exercises. This book provides the technical foundation for singers of all styles. The authors do not espouse a single method or attempt to teach singing techniques or styles. Rather, they describe the movements of singing with accuracy and detail so that singers may experiment on their own and communicate with each other in a common language.
The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices is the first comprehensive resource developed for training transgender and nonbinary singers. This text aids in the development of voice pedagogy tailored to the needs of transgender singers, informed by cultural competence, and bolstered by personal narratives of trans and nonbinary singing students. The singing life of a transgender or nonbinary student can be overwhelmingly stressful. Because many of the current systems in place for singing education are so firmly anchored in gender binary systems, transgender and gender nonconforming singers are often forced into groups with which they feel they don't belong. Singers in transition are often afraid to reach out for help because the likelihood of finding a voice teacher who is competent in navigating the social, emotional, physical, and physiological challenges of transition is minimal at best. This text equips teachers with a sympathetic perspective on these unique struggles and with the knowledge and resources needed to guide students to a healthy, joyful, and safe singing life. It challenges professional and academic communities to understand the needs of transgender singers and provide evidence-based voice education and real-world opportunities that are authentic and genuine. The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices is the first book of its kind to provide thorough, organized information on the training of trans singers for educators in both the academic and independent teaching realms.
