Basics of Singing [Spiral-bound]

Jan Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1993 | ISBN-10: 0028723376 | ISBN-13: 978-0028723372 | Edition: 3rd

Requiring no formal music background, this complete teaching package offers a unique, appealing, and effective introduction to the art of singing. Suitable for beginning and intermediate singers of all voices, "Basics of Singing" is flexibly organized, providing a variety of pedagogical approaches to present the basic principles of voice production, musicianship, song interpretation, and vocal health. New to this edition is a Background and Performance Notes section that provides singers with context and performance advice for every song in the anthology. The anthology section contains 45 songs, presenting 15 songs from such musicals as "The Secret Garden," "Babes in Arms," "West Side Story," and "Into the Woods"; 15 arias and art songs of Scarlatti, Faur, Vaughan Williams, Clara Schumann, Rorem, and other great composers, and 15 folk songs.

--This text refers to an alternate Spiral-bound edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The three greatest strengths are: (1) Anthology of songs; (2) CD accompaniment; (3) Author's knowledge and explanation of basic technique. … Theatrics of singing is great I especially like the part about 'selling' the song."

"I really like that there is more music and not so much text so the students are actually singing and not just reading about singing. Your organization is good and very useable for the way I teach the course. … I feel Part I is a good introduction to singing without going overboard. All the important aspects of singing are covered without great detail. Any areas that the students might want to explore more I could certainly enhance, but for an introduction course the material seems to be appropriate. … I really like the 'Background and Performance Notes' for the songs. … This is so often overlooked but is so very essential for our singers to learn in order to really 'sell the song' as they need to do."

"This layout is better ordered than the Paton I am using. … It seems simple and clear. Non-threatening for the scared first-time singer."

"I like your simple explanation in the chapters. The chapters are not long, so they are not intimidating. You do what the title says, 'Basics in singing.'"

"Three major strengths: 1. Excellent information on vocal health that is up to date; 2. Songs are laid out in high and low keys for various voice types and ranges; 3. Good background information about the songs and good variety of song styles to appeal to a broad interest in a class." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 290 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Pub Co; 3rd edition (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028723376
• ISBN-13: 978-0028723372
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for voice students - new and advanced., October 29, 1998

By 

Amanda Grabler (Abingdon, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basics of Singing (Spiral-bound)

I used this book during my second year of college Concert Choirand during my first voice class. "Basics of Singing" by Jan Schmidt was our textbook.

It is an excellent book for students who are just beginning with voice - or any singing class, and for those who are advanced students. When I first wrote this review, I had only been in voice for half a semester. I could read and understand music prior to the class, as I love to play piano and have for years, but this book has helped me improve in that, as well as in rhythm - counting beats for measures. All around it is a musicians treasure trove of good suggestions. I believe using this text has been absolutley wonderful in helping me develop my voice, posture, vibrato. But, the thing you also must keep in mind, is I truly believe you must have a good teacher as well as a good textbook, and that I have been blessed with as well.

I still have my copy and refer to it to this day.

If you are looking to begin voice, or you're an advanced student looking for a refresher course, Schmidt's book is the key.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In defense of "The Basics of Singing", August 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Basics of Singing (Plastic Comb)

I think "A Reader" from California is well off the track on his/her review. You can't get good technique out of a book. You need a "second pair of ears" (in other words, a competent teacher) to help you sing properly. I have been using this book for a while in my voice classes. I find that there are many songs in this book which are accessible to the beginning singer, especially those who don't read music. There are also some songs which are accesible to intermediate singers, both classical and pop. I think this book has a good mix of both genres. What this book lacks in music reading, I supplement with another book for music reading for the beginning singer. The academic chapters of this book I believe are meant as concept teaching tools. You really want to learn to sing and perform well? Cough up the money for a good private teacher and LEARN TO READ by taking a music fundamentals class at your local community college. Books cannot tell you where your individual faults lie and they cannot tell you how to fix them, because each individual is just that, an individual and the myriad of causes for a bad sound can only be diagnosed by a competent teacher/technician.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars liked it, June 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Basics of Singing (5th Edition) (Plastic Comb)

as a voice student, my teacher has been teaching me from this book for some time now. There is, of course, no substitute for her instruction, but this is a very helpful anthology of pieces that cover many vocal skills which she is teaching me. I have found it enjoyable to work with the pieces collected in this book, and I have also seen huge improvement in my abilities since we began working from this book.