Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Department of Music
MUS 079
Voice Class I
Approved by Department: November 5, 2006
Course Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop basic singing techniques and apply them to the singing
of songs. Class performance stresses the development of confidence and expressiveness.
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.
Two clock hours, one semester hour
Course Objectives
The objectives of this course are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
to develop singing and listening skills and an appreciation for the art of singing
to develop individual creative ability and encourage self-expression
to experience cultural diversity through study of song literature of various styles and periods
to aid in the preparation of vocational or avocational pursuits
Procedures
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Lectures
Textbook
Class performance, both solo and group
Cassette recording
Video taping
Written critiques and tests
Selected concert attendance and recordings
Course Outline
I.
Orientation and guidance
A. Overcoming self-consciousness
B. Technique and musicianship
C. Vocal health and vocal abuse
D. Practicing effectively
II.
Posture for singing
A. The importance of posture in the production of tone
B. Balanced posture
C. The best way to sit for producing tone
D. “Natural” singing and posture
III.
Breath control
A. The physiological basis of breathing
B. Inhalation, suspension. phonation, recovery
C. Attack and release of tone
D. Phrasing
E. The catch-breath
IV.
Vocal registers
A. One, two, and three register concepts
1. Chest register
2. Middle voice
3. High register
B. Developing an even scale line
C. “Lift of the breath” concept or “singing on the breath” concept
V.
Tone
A. Tension and breathing problems hindering the production
of clear, free flexible tone quality
B. The role of the tongue, lips, jaw, sinuses and mouth cavity
in producing resonance
C. Developing resonant tone
D. Tone color and expressiveness
VI.
Primary and secondary vowels
A. The role of the tongue, lips and jaw in forming vowels
B. Equalizing and modifying vowels in singing
Assessment
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives will be based upon the
following:
1.
Knowledge of the importance of proper body alignment for singing.
2.
Development of proper breath management techniques.
3.
Basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism.
4.
Ability to recognize a good vocal sound.
5.
Ability to evaluate their own performances as well as those of others.
6.
Ability to develop singing skills that are appropriate for the level of the individual.
7.
Basic knowledge of vocal pedagogy.
8.
Ability to present selected vocal literature with confidence, ease and skill appropriate for the level of the
individual.
Instructional Resources
Baer, T., Sasaki, C. and Harris, K. Laryngeal Function in Phonation and Respiration. Boston, MA: College-Hill
Press; Little, Brown, 1987.
Brodnitz, F.S. Vocal Rehabilitation. Rochester, MN: American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology,
1971.
Bunch, M. Dynamics of the Singing Voice. NY: Springer-Verlag, 1982.
Caldwell, J. Timothy. Expressive Singing. Dalcroze Eurhythmics for Voice. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall,
Inc., 1995.
Christy, Van A. Foundations in Singing. Rev. John G. Paton (6th edition). Dubuque, IA: Brown and Benchmark,
1997.
Garcia, M. Hints on Singing. Canoga Park, CA: Summit Pub. Co., 1970 (London, 1894).
_______. A Complete Treatise on the Art of Singing: Part One. Ed./Trans. D.V. Paschke. NY: DaCapo, 1984.
Gilliland, Dale V. The Teaching of Jean de Reszke Twentieth Century Masterworks onSinging, Volume VII. Ed. by
Edward Forman. Minneapolis, MN: Pro Musica Press, 1993.
Grindea, C. (Ed.) Tensions in the Performance of Music. NY: Alexander Broude, 1978.
Harlow, B. You, the Singer. Chapel Hill, NC: Hinshaw Music, 1985.
Harpster, R.W. Technique in Singing. NY: Schirmer Books, 1984.
Hirano, M. Clinical Examination of the Voice. NY: Springer-Verlag, 1981.
Large, J. (Ed.) Contributions of Voice Research to Singing. Houston, TX: College Hill Press, 1980.
Lawrence, V. and Weinberg, B. Transcripts of the 6th and 7th Symposium:Care of the Professional Voice. NY:
The Voice Foundation, 1979, 1980.
Lehmann, Lotte. How to Sing. NY: Macmillan, 1944.
Lightner, Helen. Class Voice and the American Art Song: a Source Book and
Scarecrow Press, 1991.
Anthology. Metuchen, NJ:
Lyons, J. and Stevenson, L. Principles of Pop Singing. NY: Schirmer Books, 1990.
Marafioti, P.M. Caruso’s Method of Voice Production. Austin, TX: Cadica Enterprises, 1958.
Marshall, M. The Singer’s Manual of English Diction. NY: G. Schirmer, 1946.
Miller, Kenneth E. Principles of Singing. (2nd ed.) Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1989.
Miller, Richard. On the Art of Singing. NY: Oxford University Press, 1996.
_________. Training Tenor Voices. NY: Schirmer Books, 1993.
Morrison, Murray; Rammage, Linda R., et. al. The Management of Voice Disorders. San Diego, CA: Singular Pub.
Group, Inc. 1994.
Proctor, D. Breathing, Speech, and Song. NY: Springer-Verlag, 1980.
Punt, N.A. The Singer’s and Actor’s Throat. (3rd ed.) Great Britain: Redwood Burn, 1979.
Sable, B.K. The Vocal Sound. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1982.
Schiotz, A. The Singer and His Art. NY: Harper & Row, 1970.
Schmidt, J. Basics of Singing. (2nd ed.) NY: Schirmer Books, 1989.
Stevens, P. A History of Song. NY: W.W. Norton, 1960.
Sundberg, J. The Science of the Singing Voice. DeKalb, IL: Northern Illinois University Press, 1987.
Tetrazzini, L. and Caruso, E. The Art of Singing and How to Sing. NY: DaCapo Press, 1975.
Titze, Ingo R. Principles of Voice Production. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1994.
Vennard, W. Singing: The Mechanism and Technic. NY: Fischer, 1967.
Ware, Clifton. Adventures in Singing. (2nd ed.) NY: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1997.
Wyke, B. (Ed.) Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems. London: Oxford University Press, 1974.