Vocal pedagogy is the study of the art and science of voice instruction. It is used in the teaching of singing and assists in defining what singing is, how singing works, and how proper singing technique is accomplished.
Vocal pedagogy covers a broad range of aspects of singing, ranging from the physiological process of vocal production to the artistic aspects of interpretation of songs from different genres or historical eras. Typical areas of study include:
- Human anatomy and physiology as it relates to the physical process of singing.
- Breathing and air support for singing
- Posture for singing
- Phonation
- Vocal resonation or voice projection
- Diction, vowels and articulation
- Vocal registration
- Sostenuto and legato for singing
- Other singing elements, such as range extension, tone quality, vibrato, coloratura
- Vocal health and voice disorders related to singing
- Vocal styles, such as learning to sing opera, belt, or Art song
- Phonetics
- Voice classification
All of these different concepts are a part of developing proper vocal technique. Not all vocal teachers have the same opinions within every topic of study which causes variations in pedagogical approaches and vocal technique.
Famous quotes containing the word vocal:
“The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions. But there is also, it seems to me, a moment at which democracy must prove its capacity to act. Every man has a right to be heard; but no man has the right to strangle democracy with a single set of vocal chords.”
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965)