The archive contains posts about learning to sing.
“If you can talk, you can sing. If you can walk, you can dance.”
So, is it just opening your mouth and making sound?
Well… yes and no.
Anyone who can make sound can produce a melody. Even infants make pre-melodic sounds. However, have you ever wished to be better at it?
With coaching, you can make your melodies stronger. With coaching, you can to train yourself to sing in tune.
In the posts in the Singing in Tune and Shape Notes and Solfege blog categories, you will learn how to:
The Singing in Tune blog category focuses on harmonizing in tune. Based on cutting edge intonation research, Success Music Studio has created specially tuned sing-along songs. The sound files help foster a cappella level vocal tuning.
Alternately, Shape Notes and Solfege works on sight reading and melodic tuning. As the title of the category implies, we use shape notes combined with solfege (Do, Re, Mi) for sight reading. At the same time, solfege creates a sound model for tuning up melodies when used with the sing-along songs.
We will explore phrasing music, vocal tone, and intelligible text in either or both of the blog categories.
Have fun!
© 2021 Geoffrey Keith
Back to the Successful Music Student Blogs page
How do I switch from minor key shaped notes to standard notation?” Sight singing minor keys in standard notation can be challenging. Because it can be difficult to figure out if you’re in a major key or the relative minor. Read more to learn how to transition from shaped notes to standard notation for minor keys. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
“Please explain vowel modification to me like I’m a 5 year old.” Vowel modification helps you get a good vocal tone, so you can raise your singing to the next level. It’s an essential technique to master if you want to reach your full potential, because singing is all about vowels. Read more to learn how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do you want to sing Eastern European folk melodies and mediaeval chants? Are you puzzled about how the aeolian mode works? Modes have been a feature of music from ancient times to today. Singing Shape Note Solfege Aeolian Melodies lets you explore the exotic sound of the aeolian mode. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Have you ever wondered how Eastern European vocalists sing polyphony in parallel 2nds? Do you want to know how world music works? Understanding world music involves stepping outside your own perspective and seeing from the world musician’s point of view instead. Click to answer the question, “How do you sing Eastern European vocal harmony in 2nds by ear?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
“I have a hard time hitting my notes. Can I use the piano to learn singing?” That depends. For some things, the piano will be a real asset for learning to sing. However, for others, the piano creates more problems than it solves. Click to answer the question, “Can I learn singing on the piano?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you want to move your audience to tears as you perform? Do you need suggestions for how to interpret your songs? Interpretation is when you put your personal stamp on a song. Today’s interpretation tip can help you craft powerful performances. Click to answer the question, “What do people mean by the term interpretation in classical music?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
“How do I switch from singing shaped notes to standard notation?” Because they’re easy to read, shape notes will always be a good choice for struggling readers, and it makes a great introduction to solfege too. However, the limited shape note repertoire means that shape note singers may want to learn to read standard notation as well. Click to learn how to transition from shaped notes to standard notation. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Why is it important to sing the dynamics for a piece of music? Dynamics play an important role in notated music, helping bring interest and variety to your songs. If you want help understanding how dynamic signs work, click to answer the question: “Why is it important to define the dynamics to sing a piece of music?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Have you ever marveled at how some people can easily sing with a beautiful tone? Do you need help learning how to harmonize in tune? Good news! Vocal harmonizing can be learned, and the sing-along soundtracks will help. Click to find out how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
“What purpose do accidentals serve in reading sheet music?” Sharps, flats, and naturals (collectively called accidentals) grew out of a problem that needed to be fixed in the mediaeval music notation. The music theorists of the time slapped their fix onto the preexisting notation system, and that fix is still with us to this day. However, having confused generations of budding musicians, the results of the fix leave a lot to be desired. Click to answer the question, “What purpose do accidentals serve in reading sheet music?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.