The Professional Singer's Handbook: The Complete Guidebook for Becoming a Successful Singer

By Gloria Rusch

(Book). This book realistically prepares a singer for life in the world of professional music. Author Gloria Rusch gives candid advice on topics including: getting started, finding a vocal coach, defining one's voice, learning correct breathing, conquering stage fright, microphone techniques, connecting with an audience, common vocal ailments, recording studio pointers, finding a band, landing a record deal, and much more. The book includes extensive interviews with Kevon Edmonds of the group After 7, stage and television producer Ken Kragen, Janis Siegel of Manhattan Transfer, multi-platinum songwriter Andy Goldmark, and other knowledgeable session singers, sound engineers, and arrangers. 212 pages, 9" x 12"

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0793588510
• ISBN13: 9780793588510
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Hal Leonard LLC
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Common Sense

This book contained helpful information, such as what to do when you fall ill and need to perform, microphones to purchase, etc. However, it did contain a lot of information that is plain common sense, such as to show up on time to auditions and voice lessons classes and to practice sufficiently, etc.

A helpful TEXT- covers your fundamentals book

The way I gauge the practicality of all my vocal text is obviously to see how often I implement the techniques into my 'arsenal' of vocal practices or performances. To make this a book of 5 star calibre rating however I would have extremely liked an accompaniment CD to obtain a better understanding on some of her concepts. In addition, as stated before, the chapters do not go into in depth detail but provide general overviews. Nevertheless, I've been using the Rusch techniques in this book for 5 months now, and not only have I been able to hear a difference in my ability but companions that have had the chance to hear my have noticed a steady improvement. Three sections I found most useful are the Record copying, breath control and health tips on caring for your voice; of which I found the breath control technique being the most effective and quick to in getting results. In addition, this book was fairly entertaining to read as well, as Rusch pulled from her own personal experience without a sense of haughtiness. Definitely a book to encourage all singers on becoming more serious in approaching singing and the performance of singing a bit more professionally.

A must for the aspiring professional

Gloria Rusch's book "The Professional Singer's Handbook" is a must for anyone seriously pursuing a career as a singer. It addresses all the questions that the average singer with a dream wonders about. The music industry is such a mystical unknown for those of us dreaming of becoming part of it. So often we are left to trial and error to discover the road to success by falling in our own potholes (and many of us are left in the ditch, downtrodden and discouraged). Gloria speaks to the reader as though she is speaking to one of her own students, taking an active interest in seeing you succeed and laying the truth out on the line when you need it. She discusses topics such as how to know if you have what it takes, selecting a vocal coach, stage presence and how to develop it, how to stay healthy including specific remedies when you need to sing sick, how to select microphones and equipment, the difference between singing live and singing in a studio and how to be successful at each, as well as the business side of the business--selecting a manager (when to and how to), the ins-and-outs of getting a record deal, different ways to make money with your voice and who to contact when you're ready, etc. Gloria also recommends other books she found helpful as she made her way in the industry which will explore specific topics in more detail. Finally, the book includes interviews with other successful people in the industry from singers to managers, songwriters, producers, etc--all aimed at helping the reader "make it". Gloria speaks in a very down-to-earth manner that anyone can relate to and understand. After reading this book, I felt I had a handful of friends in the industry willing to give me a chance. I found myself mesmerized, absorbing her information like a sponge, thinking "so THAT'S how you go about it!" This book doesn't go into super-specific detail about each subject, but it gives you a solid foundation with specific instruction on where to go next. The perfect foundation to help you CREATE your own success rather than waiting to be one of the lucky few who magically get "discovered". As I said in the first line, this book is a must-read for anyone serious about making it as a singer.