Pedagogy, Rhythm and Groove, Vocal Health

Four Essential Aspects for Styling a Contemporary Popular Song: Rhythm, Tone, Dynamics, and Vibrato (Part 1) // Jeannie Gagné

There are many aspects to teaching Contemporary Popular (Commercial) Music (CCM) singing styles. Besides healthy production—a huge topic to be sure, and not that different from traditional Western training—contemporary popular styles vary from traditional training in placement, registers, and tonal qualities. We also focus on stylistic aspects of the many popular genres including jazz, rock, pop, R&B, gospel, blues, country, and latin styles, to name … Continue reading Four Essential Aspects for Styling a Contemporary Popular Song: Rhythm, Tone, Dynamics, and Vibrato (Part 1) // Jeannie Gagné

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The Business of Teaching

Who do you serve? // Julie Dean

Has anyone gotten to know themselves a little better after this last year? I was already on a discovery journey, so maybe this self-knowing became more intensified for me. The pandemic and horror show of a year made me question my priorities and why I was doing what I was doing. I even went through a period in late summer where I was conflicted about … Continue reading Who do you serve? // Julie Dean

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Classes & Workshops

March Workshops

Join our contributors for these upcoming workshops! Moving from Appropriation to Appreciation in the White-Owned Voice Studio // Jess Baldwin & Michelle Markwart Deveaux Friday, March 12⋅11:30am – 1:30pm Jessica Baldwin and Michelle Markwart Deveaux have developed a brave space for white voice teachers of popular musics who are ready to take actionable steps toward repertoire justice. Repertoire justice is the act of educating ourselves … Continue reading March Workshops

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Genre Differences, Pop-Rock in Musicals

Is It Truly Pop, or Is It Musical Theater? // Laura Donohue

This is a blog about listening.  Specifically, this is a blog about listening very closely to vocal sounds and styles in musical theater and other commercial styles of singing.  But first I want to tell you a story about opera. There was a moment, early in my undergrad studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, that I remember very clearly.  It was a … Continue reading Is It Truly Pop, or Is It Musical Theater? // Laura Donohue

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Popular Music Education, Post-Secondary Programs

A Commercial for Commercial – What’s the Objective? // Wendy Jones

A cursory glance at any reputable website or book on the history of American popular music and one can almost taste the creamy goodness of America’s music. From the mostly religious music of native Americans, to the folk music of immigrants from England, Spain, and France, to musical traditions and polyrhythms brought to American shores by enslaved Africans that laid the foundation for American popular … Continue reading A Commercial for Commercial – What’s the Objective? // Wendy Jones

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Expression, Uncategorized

Communication Skills For Vocal Performance Power // Judy Rodman

When I began teaching voice 22 years ago, I noticed that each student that came to me had their own individual package of strengths and weaknesses, some totally opposite others. After a few years, I noticed that breath issues, tight throat issues and communication issues are synergistic. Correcting flaws in one could correct the others. The health of the voice is determined by healthy physiological … Continue reading Communication Skills For Vocal Performance Power // Judy Rodman

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Artist Development, Cultural Influences, Expression, Genre Differences, Popular Music Education, Post-Secondary Programs

Teaching CCM Styles, Finding Your Voice, and Appropriating Styles…and Yourself // Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin

Dr. Trineice (creator of Soul Ingredients® and author of So You Want to Sing Gospel) shares some fantastic wisdom with us about the ways academia can helpfully structure programs for singers of CCM genres, how she found her own voice and helps others find theirs, and ways we can be mindful of potential appropriation. Transcript: Jessica Baldwin:Hey everybody. I am Jess Baldwin, and this is … Continue reading Teaching CCM Styles, Finding Your Voice, and Appropriating Styles…and Yourself // Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin

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Pedagogy

Pay Attention to the “Tions” // Robert Edwin

From the rank beginner to the elite professional, there are certain things that all singers must do when they sing, no matter what their style, age, ethnicity, gender, talent, or training level. Singers are bound by the laws of nature: physics, biomechanics, acoustics, and several other “ics” come into play when we sing.  What are these must-do things? They have many different names and include … Continue reading Pay Attention to the “Tions” // Robert Edwin

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Theory and Aural Skills

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Discovery of an Important Scale // Kim Chandler

I’ve had an insatiable curiosity for quite some time to know which scales (or modes) that songwriters of hit songs intuitively use to create their vocal melodies; the main interest being how this knowledge applies to the vocal exercise patterns we use in training singers. Clearly, at the present time, there’s a strong bias towards major-based patterns in vocal exercises, but a “soap box” area … Continue reading Hidden in Plain Sight: The Discovery of an Important Scale // Kim Chandler

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Artist Development, Individual Style, Pedagogy, Psychology

What Matters When Teaching is What Remains After Lessons // Mark Baxter

There’s never been a shortage of advice when it comes to helping singers improve.  However, the most obvious question has never been definitively answered: What matters most?  How is it that there are miles of books and research papers and yet no unified answer?  At first, the search for an answer just leads to more questions.  Does our curiosity set us on a path up … Continue reading What Matters When Teaching is What Remains After Lessons // Mark Baxter

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