Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could recommend any tuition books for singers.
I am currently using Singing Time by David Turnbull although I would like to find something that has a more logical progression running through it - like many piano books I teach from do.
This is mainly to be used for children aged 7 - 10
Any suggestions?
Full Version: Singing Tuition Books
Do you mean a sort of tutor book for singing, as you would get a tutor book say for piano?
yes 
None, because imho, it doesn't work for singing. The needs are so massively different depending on age, musical style and individual vocal problems that I honestly believe that a tutor book is far too close to a one size fits all approach.
That's why I do individual lesson sheets for each and every student, with tailormade exercises.
That's why I do individual lesson sheets for each and every student, with tailormade exercises.
QUOTE(Dugazon @ Nov 11 2011, 11:12 AM) 
None, because imho, it doesn't work for singing. The needs are so massively different depending on age, musical style and individual vocal problems that I honestly believe that a tutor book is far too close to a one size fits all approach.
I agree - not to mention vocal range (both pitch and dynamic), gender, personality, weight of voice, acting ability v shrinking violet, and personal preference. Like Dugazon I weigh up all the variables and choose repertoire based on individual needs and what technical issue needs addressing at the time.
Has anyone seen this book? Now, this is no replacement for a teacher, and it cannot ever hope to cover the individual tuition one would get from a teacher. It is not tailored to the individual, and it's not going to suit everyone...but...
I was curious about it, and got a copy this week. I get quite a few adults these days who, to put it bluntly are just 'locals' who want to gain confidence, often through singing (some want to learn to sing too, but I sometimes wonder if the confidence-boosting comes first). They often have very little idea what they want to do, what they want to sing etc., and have little interest in performing or doing exams. Often, very simple improvements in the basics - breathing, posture, diction etc. is all they're after, and certainly in the early stages, anything more advanced than that may put them off. Some might say that's not proper teaching and I should be shot down, but I see it as meeting a need. This book is actually one which I think may very well suit this market. It contains a good mixture of exercises, theory, pieces (all styles) and technique/background. It could be that if their imaginations can be captured effectively through such a book (and there's a lot to be said for feeling one's working through something tangible) then something more advanced might come later.
Obviously, everything is in the same key etc. so it may need some adaptation, but for the increasing number of pupils who fall into the category I describe above, I think this might be a happy medium. It gives them something to work through with the teacher, and also to practise at home (comes with CDs). Now, yes, I could produce individual sheets for each pupil, record exercises etc., and I'm not advocating that the category described above are not worth putting the effort in, but I think one has to be realistic. This book is essentially a singing tutor book, just as you would get one for piano, clarinet etc. etc. I have never seen one before. I'm going to try it out with a couple of pupils in particular; I think that with the guidance of the teacher, it could be effective.
I was curious about it, and got a copy this week. I get quite a few adults these days who, to put it bluntly are just 'locals' who want to gain confidence, often through singing (some want to learn to sing too, but I sometimes wonder if the confidence-boosting comes first). They often have very little idea what they want to do, what they want to sing etc., and have little interest in performing or doing exams. Often, very simple improvements in the basics - breathing, posture, diction etc. is all they're after, and certainly in the early stages, anything more advanced than that may put them off. Some might say that's not proper teaching and I should be shot down, but I see it as meeting a need. This book is actually one which I think may very well suit this market. It contains a good mixture of exercises, theory, pieces (all styles) and technique/background. It could be that if their imaginations can be captured effectively through such a book (and there's a lot to be said for feeling one's working through something tangible) then something more advanced might come later.
Obviously, everything is in the same key etc. so it may need some adaptation, but for the increasing number of pupils who fall into the category I describe above, I think this might be a happy medium. It gives them something to work through with the teacher, and also to practise at home (comes with CDs). Now, yes, I could produce individual sheets for each pupil, record exercises etc., and I'm not advocating that the category described above are not worth putting the effort in, but I think one has to be realistic. This book is essentially a singing tutor book, just as you would get one for piano, clarinet etc. etc. I have never seen one before. I'm going to try it out with a couple of pupils in particular; I think that with the guidance of the teacher, it could be effective.
I'd be interested to hear how you get on - looks like a lot of book for the price! And piano parts also downloadable - might be a great resource.
Let us know what you think about it.
Looking at the screenshots, I already have a notion though that it wouldn't work for me, for various reasons, but that's just my approach to teaching voice I guess.
I don't think there is a particular lack of tutor books for singing to be honest - I mentioned "The Singing Book" by Meribeth Dayme a while ago on here. It goes pretty much in the direction of the book you mentioned there, although I think Dayme's repertoire selection is a bit wider (the one in the book you mentioned is very conservative imho, even if it says it caters for all styles - it really doesn't). You also can download pdf accompaniments etc for that one. There are many others actually, some with, others without repertoire.
I still think that tutor books are limiting, and that the structure provided by them mainly makes it easier for the teacher, not the student. They provide the teacher with a sort of manual to go by week after week, but I still believe they can actually do the singing student a disservice. Singing is so different from piano or violin in that respect (the two instruments I play(ed) long or well enough to be able to compare).
What use is this book for instance to a student who cannot sing in tune (I am not saying you would use it with one of those, but I know of singing teachers who use the same 'manual' with each and every student, and you can always tell). These students' problems will actually be aggravated by going by a lesson plan like the ones usually suggested in these books. A student like that won't e.g. sing an arpeggio pattern for quite a while for instance, and even having them try to attempt it too soon can cause a lot of grief and longterm problems.
The market you describe exists, absolutely. I am just not sure if the direction you seek for these students is provided by a tutor book.
Looking at the screenshots, I already have a notion though that it wouldn't work for me, for various reasons, but that's just my approach to teaching voice I guess.
I don't think there is a particular lack of tutor books for singing to be honest - I mentioned "The Singing Book" by Meribeth Dayme a while ago on here. It goes pretty much in the direction of the book you mentioned there, although I think Dayme's repertoire selection is a bit wider (the one in the book you mentioned is very conservative imho, even if it says it caters for all styles - it really doesn't). You also can download pdf accompaniments etc for that one. There are many others actually, some with, others without repertoire.
I still think that tutor books are limiting, and that the structure provided by them mainly makes it easier for the teacher, not the student. They provide the teacher with a sort of manual to go by week after week, but I still believe they can actually do the singing student a disservice. Singing is so different from piano or violin in that respect (the two instruments I play(ed) long or well enough to be able to compare).
What use is this book for instance to a student who cannot sing in tune (I am not saying you would use it with one of those, but I know of singing teachers who use the same 'manual' with each and every student, and you can always tell). These students' problems will actually be aggravated by going by a lesson plan like the ones usually suggested in these books. A student like that won't e.g. sing an arpeggio pattern for quite a while for instance, and even having them try to attempt it too soon can cause a lot of grief and longterm problems.
The market you describe exists, absolutely. I am just not sure if the direction you seek for these students is provided by a tutor book.
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