MUSICIANSHIP FOR SINGERS A ROUND TABLE ON IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THEORY, SIGHT SINGING, AND EAR TRAINING

QUESTIONS Can a voice teacher with 45-minute lessons really "do it all" - work on technique and repertoire PLUS theory, ear-training and sight-singing? Make time at every lesson? Alternating subjects from week-to-week? Group lessons? Solfege: Kodaly hand signs? Rhythm books as a supplement to sight-singing? Useful workbooks for theory and sight-singing? Using theory websites - completely independent work or with teacher involvement? How and which one(s)? Better than (more motivating than?) the traditional written theory workbooks? If students are attending a school with a pretty good choir director who is working on these things, should we feel free to let go of this extra responsibility?

BOOKS Theory for MT Flashcards

WEBSITES

INDIVIDUAL STUDIOS Dear Kimberly and Deb, In my situation all of our voice students are in sight singing, ear training, and theory classes. I dwell on musicality including phrasing and alignment of tone. I also emphasize that there are differences in singing styles and that one must understand these differences when singing Debussy, Verdi, musical theatre, and jazz. The stylistic demands of these different styles set up the musical goals of singing in these styles. Best wishes for your conference. Roy Delp

INDIVIDUAL STUDIOS Hi there! I always take the time when giving a new piece of music to discover the key signature, which they must write down, with a note of explanation at the first measure. So basic, so necessary! We discus form, and look for changes in meter and key. Takes only ten minutes, tops! When we find something like a hemeola in the music, I define it and they take notes. While I do not conduct, I do request that students "conduct" themselves with a pencil. Not with their toe, or patting the side of their leg. I find that being deliberate with a steady tempo is better than being vague. Thank you for asking! Janet

INDIVIDUAL STUDIOS For high school students in my private studio I use the Alfred Fundamentals of Music books...they have short 5 minute lessons perfect for 1/2 hour lessons Dina Barone