Singing For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))

364 Pages·2010·2.71 MB·English

by  Pamelia S. Phillips

Music/Voice
Take your voice to Ainucdluiod CedD Making Everything Easier!™ 2nd Edition
the next level and 2nd Edition
grow as a performer
Open the book and find: g
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Whether you’re a beginning vocalist or a seasoned singer, (cid:129) Techniques for increasing your
this practical guide gives you step-by-step instructions and range
lots of helpful tips, hints, exercises, and advice on the mechanics
(cid:129) Tips for overcoming stage fright
S
of singing, discovering your range, developing technique,
(cid:129) Articulation exercises
singing in performance, and maintaining vocal health. i
(cid:129) Ideas on developing a practice n
(cid:129) Be rock solid — get up-to-speed with the basics of singing routine
and master posture, breathing, and tone g
(cid:129) Performing tips to improve your
(cid:129) Get moving and grooving — improve your singing by getting the confidence i
hang of tone, resonance, vowels, and consonants
n
(cid:129) Strategies to use for acting while
(cid:129) Belt your heart out — move on to more advanced techniques like singing
g
working with your speaking voice and belting
(cid:129) How to choose songs to enhance
(cid:129) Find your musical style — get great suggestions for singing in your technical skills
different genres, including classical, country, jazz, musical
theater, opera, pop, or R&B (cid:129) Advice on finding a voice teacher
and making the most of lessons
(cid:129) How to determine your voice type
Learn to:
(cid:129) Take your singing skills to the next level
Audio CD Includes Go to Dummies.com
®
All the musical exercises from the book, so you can sing for videos, step-by-step examples, (cid:129) Grasp the importance of posture and
along and practice at home, in the studio, or on the go how-to articles, or to shop! breath control
(cid:129) Prepare for auditions and
performances
Sing along with the recorded
exercises on the accompanying CD
$24.99 US / $29.99 CN / £16.99 UK
Pamelia S. Phillips, DMA, is the Professional Program Director and Chair
ISBN 978-0-470-64020-3
of Voice and Music at Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21) in New York. A
seasoned performer, her appearances range from contemporary American
Opera premieres to guest performances with major symphonies. Pam has
taught extensively at such institutions as Arizona State University and Wagner Pamelia S. Phillips, DMA
College. She holds degrees in music education and vocal performance.
Phillips Professional singer
Get More and Do More at Dummies.com
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(cid:129) Checklists
(cid:129) Charts Apps
(cid:129) Common Instructions Mobile
(cid:129) And Other Good Stuff!
To access the Cheat Sheet created specifically for this book, go to
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Singing
FOR
DUMmIES
‰
2
ND EDITION
by Pamelia S. Phillips, DMA
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Singing For Dummies®, 2nd Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2011 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2010937161
ISBN: 978-0-470-64020-3
Manufactured in the United States of America
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About the Author
Dr. Pamelia S. Phillips is the Professional Program Director and Chair of
Voice and Music at CAP21 (Collaborative Arts Project 21). Dr. Phillips earned
her Doctorate of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Vocal Performance from
Arizona State University and her Bachelor of Music Education from Arkansas
State University. Her performances range from contemporary American
Opera premieres to guest performances with major symphonies.
Dr. Phillips has also taught at Wagner College, Arizona State University,
Scottsdale Community College, and South Mountain Community College.
Performances include title roles in Carmen, Tragedy of Carmen, Dido and
Aeneas, and Lizzie Borden; the Witch in Hansel and Gretel; Giulietta in Tales
of Hoffmann; Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte; Mum in Albert Herring; Constance in
the world premiere of She Stoops to Conquer; Lady with a Hat Box in Postcard
from Morocco; Frau Bauer in Dora; Beatrice in the stage premiere of Garden of
Mystery; Mrs. Cornett in Tobermory; staged performance of From The Diary of
Virginia Woolf; Gloria Thorpe in Damn Yankees; Gymnasia in A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum; Liebeslieder singer in A Little Night Music;
and Lady Thiang in King and I. Symphonic performances include Berlioz’s
Le mort de Cléopâtra with the Bronx Symphony, Mahler’s Fourth Symphony
with the Centré Symphony, and Das Lied von der Erde and Mahler’s Third
Symphony with the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble. Dr. Phillips has also
been a guest artist with the Phoenix Chamber Symphony, the Scottsdale Fine
Arts Orchestra, the Putnam County Chorale, and the National Chorale.
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Dedication
In memory of my sister, Debbie Griggs (d. 2003).
Author’s Acknowledgments
I gratefully acknowledge Project Editor Sarah Faulkner for her amazing
attention to detail and endless supply of encouragement, Acquisitions Editor
Michael Lewis for the invitation to write a second edition, Technical Editor
David Kelso for sharing his wealth of knowledge, and Copy Editor Krista
Hansing for always looking out for the reader. I was so fortunate to work with
this amazing team.
Thank you to my parents, Holmes and Darlene, for all the lessons you paid
for, the hours you had to listen to me practice, and the many miles you drove
to attend my concerts.
Thank you to George, for your encouragement and for tolerating all the late
nights and weekends I spent writing.
Eternal thanks to my students (and a few colleagues) who sang so beautifully
on the CD and to my students and colleagues who offered advice and support.
You inspire me.
Special thanks to my voice teachers, Julia Lansford, Jerry Doan, Norma
Newton, and Judith Natalucci.
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Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments at http://dummies.custhelp.com. For
other comments, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 877-762-2974,
outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993, or fax [phone].
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Composition Services
Media Development
Project Coordinator: Sheree Montgomery
Project Editor: Sarah Faulkner
Layout and Graphics: Carl Byers,
(Previous Edition: Jennifer Connolly) Joyce Haughey, Mark Pinto
Acquisitions Editor: Michael Lewis Proofreader: Bonnie Mikkelson
Copy Editor: Krista Hansing Indexer: Sharon Shock
(Previous Edition: Esmeralda St. Clair)
Assistant Editor: David Lutton
Technical Editor: David Kelso
Media Development Associate Producer:
Shawn Patrick
Media Development Assistant Project Manager:
Jenny Swisher
Editorial Manager: Christine Meloy Beck
Editorial Assistants: Jennette ElNaggar,
Rachelle S. Amick
Art Coordinator: Alicia B. South
Cover Photos: © iStockphoto.com/
Chris Hutchison
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Kristin Ferguson-Wagstaffe, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Ensley Eikenburg, Associate Publisher, Travel
Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
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Contents at a Glance
Introduction ................................................................ 1
Part I: Exploring Singing Basics .................................... 7
Chapter 1: Preparing to Sing ............................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Determining Your Voice Type .....................................................................17
Chapter 3: Aligning Your Body for Great Singing ........................................................27
Chapter 4: Breathing for Singing ....................................................................................39
Chapter 5: Toning Up the Voice .....................................................................................57
Part II: Improving Your Singing .................................. 71
Chapter 6: Acquiring Beautiful Tone .............................................................................73
Chapter 7: Exploring Resonance ....................................................................................83
Chapter 8: Shaping Your Vowels for Clarity .................................................................93
Chapter 9: Exercising Consonants for Articulation ...................................................103
Chapter 10: Crafting a Practice Routine .....................................................................115
Part III: Advanced Techniques to
Improve Your Voice .................................................. 127
Chapter 11: Developing the Parts of Your Singing Voice .........................................129
Chapter 12: Expanding Your Vocal Flexibility and Range ........................................153
Chapter 13: It’s a Cinch: Belting Out Your Song ........................................................165
Chapter 14: Training for Singing ..................................................................................187
Chapter 15: Finding the Right Voice Teacher ............................................................199
Part IV: Preparing to Perform ................................... 209
Chapter 16: Selecting Your Music Material ................................................................211
Chapter 17: Mastering a New Song ..............................................................................221
Chapter 18: Acting the Song .........................................................................................239
Chapter 19: Confronting Your Fear of Performing.....................................................249
Chapter 20: Auditioning a Song ....................................................................................259
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Part V: The Part of Tens ........................................... 277
Chapter 21: Ten Performers with Good Technique ..................................................279
Chapter 22: Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Singing ...................................283
Chapter 23: Ten Tips for Maintaining Vocal Health ..................................................289
Chapter 24: Ten Tips for Performing Like a Pro ........................................................297
Part VI: Appendixes ................................................. 305
Appendix A: Suggested Songs to Advance Your Singing Technique .......................307
Appendix B: About the CD ............................................................................................317
Index ...................................................................... 323
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