Coffin's Overtones of Bel Canto [Hardcover]

Berton Coffin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1980

This book and the accompanying chromatic vowel chart present many exercises that will make the voice stronger and more musical according to the precepts of Bel Canto. Vowel-pitch relationships have been notated in 117 exercises for teachers and singers, using acoustical phonetics, register, and musical notation. The exercises will develop the musical-muscular skills of both male and female singers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Coffin's work provides an invaluable aid for voice teachers and choral conductors alike in helping singers achieve optimum resonance. (Choral Journal )

About the Author

The late Berton Coffin's teachings and writings established him as an international authority on vocal pedagogy. Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado, Boulder, he also lived and taught in Europe from 1976 to 1983--in his private studio in Vienna; during summers with the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria; and in twenty-one opera houses in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. He presented master classes in the United States and in Europe and served as a visiting professor of voice at U.S. universities. Dr. Coffin, baritone, held academic and professional music degrees from Columbia University, Eastman School of Music, Chicago Musical College, and Earlham College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press; 1st edition (1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081081370X
• ISBN-13: 978-0810813700
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, October 20, 2003

By 

"joshuaisaacs" (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coffin's Overtones of Bel Canto (Hardcover)

After studting Mr. Coffins technique for over a year, I am amazed at the difference it has made in my range, tonal quality, and overall ease of singing. A bit difficult to just dive into, the book is perhaps best approached with the assistance of one who knows it well. All singers should be trained this way!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I studied personally with Dr. Coffin, November 16, 2003

By 

Lois Decker "diva2" (Montrose, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coffin's Overtones of Bel Canto (Hardcover)

Dr. Coffin took my broken voice (caused by incorrect teaching by former teachers), put it back together within my 2 years graduate study with him, and added an octave to my upper range. I enjoyed 30 years as a professional singer and am still singing well at age 65. My private voice students voices are developed quickly and remarkably using Dr. Coffin's exercises. I can't recommend this book enough. One must learn the International Phonetic Alphabet and apply it in the exercises and the book can be quite technical, but years of application in my voice as well as my students has me completely sold on it's merits. This book is for the serious voice student who is willing to work at his/her craft.

3.0 out of 5 stars missing important component, October 9, 2011

By 

Josee Vaillancourt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coffin's Overtones of Bel Canto (Hardcover)

this version is missing the chromatic vowel chart that the old version I got from a reject from a library has. This is a shame because that chart is really necessary to fully comprehend and apply the content of the book. I had to purchase the chart seperately which brought the cost to a much higher level than anticipated. My second hand library withdrawn version was better value for the buck.