The Contemporary Singer: Elements of Vocal Technique

By Anne Peckham

Book Overview

This comprehensive guide based on the curriculum of the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music is a must-have for every vocalist! Covers all the essentials, including: an overview of the singing process, treating voice as an instrument, tips for getting started and overcoming stage fright, proper posture and breathing, tone, discovering resonance, belting, diction, maintaining vocal health, mic techniques, and exercises for all voice ranges and types on the accompanying CD. Includes lead sheets for such standard vocal repertoire pieces as: Yesterday * I'm Beginning to See the Light * and I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Maximize your vocal potential with this outstanding guide!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0634007971
• ISBN13: 9780634007972
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Berklee Press Publications
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 12.0" x 0.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent For All Singers!

I bought this book because my voice teacher only teaches classical and I want to branch out into other styles as well. I am very impressed with this book. It covers so many areas that I never thought of. From breath control to proper mic usage to performance anxiety. A portion of the book is dedicated to explaining how the voice works and how it should be taken care of. There are also several breathing and warm-up exercises in the book that go from beginner to advanced. What I like best about the book is that it is easy to understand, the writer gives examples of things described and there is a cd to teach you the exercises talked about. I would recommend this book to anyone who considers themselves a professional singer or just a beginner.

Highly recommended

The book is informative, clear, concise, and well designed. The vocal exercise CD is excellent. I've been using it everyday for two months and have noticed a vast improvement in my voice. It's challenging, interesting, and very well-produced. I can't say enough good things about it. I'm very grateful to the author.

A Must-read for all Singers

The Contemporary Singer is a must-read for all singers - beginning and advanced. It clearly and precisely details all aspects of vocal technique - physical mechanics of the vocal instrument and a complete explanation of all that is required to master the skills (practicing, vocal health, performing & auditioning). Ms. Peckham has also added in some very helpful information that applies to a singer of contemporary music - from belting to proper microphone usage. The accompanying cd of beginner and advanced warm-ups (for low and high voice) is extremely useful and helpful. As a professional singer with nearly 20 years experience, I found this book to be the perfect brushup. In addition, I learned some very helpful information that will undoubtedly improve my singing. How I wish this book had existed when I was first learning to sing! The detail and clarity surely would've made it an easier and certainly less frustrating experience.

Much-needed text

Anne Peckham's text on vocal technique fills a much needed gap in the literature on vocal technique and vocal function....it is accessible and readable by the vocal student. It is clear, concise and, above all, practical for the learning singer, both classical and contemporary. The exercises on the accompanying CD are both traditional and contemporary in style...a great benefit, especially for those teachers who are wondering how to present some of the pop techniques to their students. In addition to the technical aspects of singing, Ms. Peckham also gives practical suggestions for the performing contemporary singer. For a text that your students can use without wading through a lot of technical and confusing jargon...this is it.

A Berklee College of Music Resource

I am a classical singer and have been an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music for 12 years and I have been extremely impressed with this book. Even though the book is called "The Contemporary Singer", it is a valuable resource for any singer. It covers specific technical areas in a clear, direct manner but also includes wonderful guidelines for topics like practicing, vocal health and performance skills. In the CD that accompanies the book, a variety of warm-up exercises are covered which are very thorough and progresses naturally. I would recommend this book to the beginning student as well as someone who just needs to reinforce their vocal technique.