A Spectrum of Voices: Prominent American Voice Teachers Discuss the Teaching of Singing

by Elizabeth L. Blades

Overview

Since the publication of the first edition of A Spectrum of Voices there have been significant advances in voice studies. Prominent members of the new generation of voice teachers join their voices with now-canonized teachings. Asking questions about technology, pedagogy, and stylistic changes within the field, Elizabeth L. Blades brings the wisdom from the past and present to voice students at all levels.

A Spectrum of Voices draws from the brilliance and combined experience of an elite group of exemplary voice teachers, presenting interviews from more than twenty-five notable teachers, six of them new to this second edition. Voice teachers offer valuable insight into their teaching philosophies, the types of auxiliary training they recommend to their students, and how they structure their lessons. This second edition also addresses significant technological advances of the past twenty years, especially the impact on vocal performance and pedagogy.

A quick-and-handy reference for the studio teacher, this book also serves as a text for vocal pedagogy courses and as an essential supplement for physiology and vocal mechanics, teachers and students of singing, music educators, and musical theater performers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538107003
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/13/2017
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Elizabeth L. Blades holds both masters and doctoral degrees in music from the Eastman School of Music. She the founder-director of Vocalhealthworks, which offers master classes and workshops dedicated to advancing healthy technique. Blades is the coauthor of Singing with Your Whole Self: The Feldenkrais Method and Voice and frequently presents national and international workshops in Feldenkrais application as well as on research in vocal pedagogy. She is also a certified Coresinging teacher and adjunct professor of music at Shenandoah University.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

Part 1 Vocal Concepts 1

1 Posture, Alignment, Body for Singing 3

2 Breath 13

3 Tone 31

4 Registration 43

5 Evenness through the Range 55

6 Diction 63

7 Vowels 73

8 Tension 77

9 Imagery 85

Part 2 Training Singers: Practical, Artistic, and Professional Development 97

10 The Student Audition 99

11 The First Lesson and a Typical Lesson 109

12 Guiding Practice 125

13 Technology, Voice Science, and Medicine: Impact on the Profession 135

14 Artistry, Expression, Communication, and Self-Discovery 141

15 Performance Work 151

16 Auxiliary Training 161

17 Successful Attributes 169

18 Professional Singers 177

19 American Vocal Stamping 185

Part 3 Teachers' Professional Training 193

20 Schools of Singing 195

21 Personal Voice Training 199

22 Staying Current 211

23 Objectives and Priorities 217

24 Outstanding Teacher Attributes 225

Recommended References 237

Glossary 241

Index of Teachers' Remarks 245

General Index 249

About the Author and Contributors 257

Editorial Reviews

A Spectrum of Voices gets young teachers-in-training thinking about what goes into becoming a good voice teacher. It is about so much more than merely knowing facts about anatomy or being able to demonstrate well for one's students. This book is unique in how it brings together a diverse group of American teachers.

A Spectrum of Voices is a quick but engaging cover-to-cover read, especially considering that each teacher's response to each individual question is generally only one to five paragraphs long. But it can also be used as a reference book to be frequently revisited when seeking ideas on specific topics. The updated second edition assures that the information provided is both current and grounded in tradition. In this way, the book serves as a historical record of teaching philosophies from the recent past as well as a chronicle of how teaching has changed (or, in some cases, stayed the same) over the years. . . . A Spectrum of Voices reveal[s] diverse approaches and opinions that outstanding teachers have chosen in order to help individual singers discover their unique voices. . . Blades [is] to be credited for compiling and presenting so many important pedagogical paths and perspectives.

An invaluable tool for comparative pedagogical study.

The second edition of A Spectrum of Voices is a time capsule of wisdom from legendary vocal pioneers and current day wisdom from exemplary voice teachers. This book is highly recommended as a text for vocal pedagogy students and as a reference and resource for experienced voice teachers.

From the Publisher

A Spectrum of Voices is a quick but engaging cover-to-cover read, especially considering that each teacher’s response to each individual question is generally only one to five paragraphs long. But it can also be used as a reference book to be frequently revisited when seeking ideas on specific topics. The updated second edition assures that the information provided is both current and grounded in tradition. In this way, the book serves as a historical record of teaching philosophies from the recent past as well as a chronicle of how teaching has changed (or, in some cases, stayed the same) over the years.. .. A Spectrum of Voices reveal[s] diverse approaches and opinions that outstanding teachers have chosen in order to help individual singers discover their unique voices.. . Blades [is] to be credited for compiling and presenting so many important pedagogical paths and perspectives.

Classical Singer Magazine

An invaluable tool for comparative pedagogical study.

Nats Journal Of Singing

The second edition of A Spectrum of Voices is a time capsule of wisdom from legendary vocal pioneers and current day wisdom from exemplary voice teachers. This book is highly recommended as a text for vocal pedagogy students and as a reference and resource for experienced voice teachers.

Cynthia Vaughn

A Spectrum of Voices gets young teachers-in-training thinking about what goes into becoming a good voice teacher. It is about so much more than merely knowing facts about anatomy or being able to demonstrate well for one’s students. This book is unique in how it brings together a diverse group of American teachers.

John Nix