Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Freedom to Sing

• Can I learn to sing?
• How will I improve my singing?
• Private lessons or classes?
• What will I need?
• Physical freedom
• How muscles work
• Stretching

Chapter 2 Breath and the Body

• Singing posture
• Head alignment
• Learn to breathe
• The breathing mechanism
• Breath support
• Phases of breath action
• Theories of breath support
• Interaction between posture and breath action
• Upside-down breathing
• Bodybuilding

Chapter 3 Free Tone Tone quality

• Descriptive words
• Vocal acoustics
• Tonal goals
• What the vocal bands do
• Three methods of attack
• Three methods of release
• Resonance
• Vibrato
• How to vocalize

Chapter 4 Changing Resonances in Your Voice Chest or head?

• Your choice
• What kind of voice?
• Voice types
• Belt and pop singing
• Finding your best resonance
• Increasing your resonance
• Feeling and hearing
• Relaxation and resonance

Chapter 5 Preparing a Song

• Learning the tune
• Learning the words
• Phrasing
• Catch breaths
• Singing the song

Chapter 6 Vowels and Vocal Color

• Your speaking voice
• What is diction?
• The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
• Vowels for singing
• The seven Italian vowels
• Tongue vowels
• Lip Vowels
• Pure Ay and Oh in English
• Equalizing the vowels
• Coloring your voice for expression
• Summary of 15 vowels

Chapter 7 Consonants and Clarity

• Semi-consonants
• Consonants
• Hums
• Pairs of consonants
• Special consonants
• R: the variable sound
• Clusters and legato singing

Chapter 8 Double and Triple Vowels Five diphthongs

• Schwa-diphthongs
• Schwa-triphthongs

Chapter 9 Performing a Song

• Guidelines for interpretation
• Musical styles
• Beginning, middle, and end
• Strophic songs
• Through-composed songs
• Pop-song form
• The accompanist
• Confidence and stage fright
• Preparations
• Onstage

Chapter 10 Extending Your Voice

• Vocal strength
• Focus
• Improving breath control
• Flexibility
• Range
• Low notes
• High notes

Chapter 11 Understanding Your Vocal Instrument

• The voice as a musical instrument
• What¹s behind your Adam¹s apple?
• Vocal health
• Vocal overuse
• Damaged voices
• Avoiding more colds

Chapter 12 Notes for Nonmusicians

• What is a musical ear?
• Pitch
• Keys
• Scales
• Rhythm
• Looking at music