Shifting Technique – From Wagner to Warwick A Micro Case Study: Developing CCM Chest Voice Quality in a Classically Trained Female Singer

Authors

  • Teik Poi Tan Voice Department, School of Music Gelsenkirchen, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v9i3.1870

Keywords:

adult learning, contemporary commercial music, contemporary commercial music singing technique, voice pedagogy, western classical singer

Abstract

Students wishing to develop their repertoire and skills in contemporary commercial music (CCM) have been found to face challenges in accessing voice teachers who are experienced in contemporary music singing techniques. It is reported that most voice teachers are classically trained and therefore teach classical singing techniques to all students. This paper argues that classical singing techniques may be inappropriate for CCM singing, and that these techniques are also potentially harmful to students’ vocal health. This case study addresses this issue, presenting data gathered through observations and notes taken during lessons with a student who approached the author with the aim of improving her CCM chest-voice quality. This paper outlines the strategies and technical exercises provided, along with the progress of the student across numerous aspects of voice production. The findings contribute to existing research on the topic of CCM singing by providing insights and recommendations to support voice teachers in adopting tailored approaches based on each student’s individual background, needs, and goals.

References

Alesandrini, K. L. (1984). Pictures and adult learning. Instructional Science, 13(1), 63-77.

Alpi, K. M., & Evans, J. J. (2019). Distinguishing case study as a research method from case reports as a publication type. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 107(1), 1–5. doi:10.5195/jmla.2019.615

Bartlett, I. (2010). One size doesn’t fit all: Tailored training for contemporary commercial singers. In S. Harrison (Ed.), Perspectives on teaching singing: Australian vocal pedagogues sing their stories (First, pp. 227–243). Bowen Hills Qld: Australian Academic Press.

Bartlett, I. (2014). Reflections on contemporary commercial singing: An insider’s perspective. Voice and Speech Review, 8(1), 27–35.

Brown, P., Roediger, H., & McDaniel, M. (2014). Make it stick: The science of successful learning. Cambridge, MA, USA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Bourne, T., Garnier, M., & Kenny, D. (2011). Music theater voice: Production, physiology and pedagogy. Journal of Singing, 67(4), 437–444.

Chandler, K. (2014). Teaching popular music styles. In S. D. Harrison & J. O’Bryan (Eds.), Teaching singing in the 21St century (pp. 35–51). Dordrecht: Springer.

Chapman, J. (2006). Singing and teaching singing. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.

Chiarelott, L. (1978). John Dewey's Theory of Experience as a Base for Developing Citizenship Education Curricula. Educational Technology, 18(12), 18-24. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/44418483

Davis, R. (1998). A beginning singer’s guide. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc.

Doorewaard, H. (2010). Research objectives. In A. J. Mills, E. Wiebe, & G. Durepos (Eds.), Encyclopedia of case study research (pp. 816–819). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publication.

Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and Education. New York: The Macmillan Company.

Edwin, R. (1998). Belting 101, part two. Journal of Singing, 55(2), 61–62.

Edwin, R. (2004). Belt yourself. Journal of Singing, 60(3), 285–288.

Edwin, R. (2007). Belt is legit. Journal of Singing, 64(2), 213–215.

Edwin, R. (2017). Pedagogic new year’s resolutions: An update. Journal of Singing, 73(3), 305–307.

Griffiths, M., & Tann, S. (1992). Using reflective practice to link personal and public theories. Journal of Education for Teaching, 18(69–84).

Gundersen, J.-E. (2012). Tuning your choral pipes. An organist’s manual for choral sound. Rice University. Retrieved September 28, 2018, from https://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/handle/1911/64659/GUNDERSEN THESIS.pdf?sequence=1

Hancock, D. R., & Algozzine, B. (2006). Doing case study research. New York: Teachers College Press.

Harris, P., & Crozier, R. (2000). The music teacher’s companion. London, UK: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Holden, R. (2002). A new model for training the collegiate voice student. Journal of Singing, 58(4), 299–303.

Karge, B. D., Phillips, K., Jessee, T., & McCabe, M. (2011). Effective strategies for engaging adult learners. Journal of College Teaching & Learning, 8(12), 53–56.

Kayes, G. (2004). Singing and the actor (Second). New York: Routledge.

Knowles, M. (1973). The adult learner: A neglected species. Houston: Gulf Publishing Company.

Knowles, M. (1975). Self-directed learning. A guide for learners and teachers. Chicago, IL: Association Press/Follett.

Knowles, M., Hoton III, E., & Swanson, R. (2005). The adult learner (6th ed.). Burlington: Elsevier.

LeBorgne, W., & Rosenberg, M. (2014). The vocal athlete. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.

Leonard, D. (2002). Learning theories: A to Z. Oryx Press.

Marshall, E. A. (2010). Practice-oriented research. In A. J. Mills, E. Wiebe, & D. Gabrielle (Eds.), Encyclopedia of case study research (pp. 722–723). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publication.

Malde, M., Allen, M., and Zeller, K. (2013). What every singer needs to know about the body. Plural Publishing.

McCarthy, M., Carlow, R., Gabriele, K., Hall, M., Moore, J., & Woody, R. (2003). Better practice in music education. (J. Tucker, Ed.). Baltimore, MD: Maryland State Department of Education.

McDonald, V. L. (2010). Before-and-after case study design. In A. J. Mills, E. Wiebe, & G. Durepos (Eds.), Encyclopedia of case study research (pp. 51– 55). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publication.

McKinney, J. (2005). The diagnosis and Correction of Vocal faults: A manual for teachers of singing and for choir directors. Waveland Press, Inc.(Reissued E). Long Grove, Illionois.

Merriam, B. (2013). Adult learning: linking theory and practice. Jossey-Bass.

Michael, D. (2010). Dispelling vocal myths. Part I: “sing from your diaphragm!” Journal of Singing, 66(5), 547–551.

Ragan, K. (2018). The efficacy of vocal cool-down exercises. Journal of Singing, 74(5), 521–526.

Rosenshine, B. (2002). Converging findings on classroom instruction. In A. Molnar (Ed.), School Reform Proposals: The Research Evidence (pp. 213–240). Arizona: Education Policy Research Unit.

Rutkowski, J. (1996). The Effectiveness of Individual/Small-Group Singing Activities on Kindergartners' Use of Singing Voice and Developmental Music Aptitude. Journal of Research in Music Education, 44(4), 353-368. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3345447

Sataloff, R., Hawkshaw, M., Moore, J. E., & Rutt, A. (2014). 50 ways to abuse your voice. Oxford: Compton Publishing.

Shabiralyani, G., Shahzad Hasan, K., Hamad, N., & Iqbal, N. (2015). Impact of visual aids in enhancing the learning process case. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(19), 226–233.

Scearce, L. (2016). Manual of singing voice rehabilitation. A practical approach to vocal health and wellness. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.

Schneider, C., Dennehy, C. A., & Saxon, K. (1997). Exercise physiology principles applied to vocal performance: The improvement of postural alignment. Journal of Voice, 11(3), 332–337.

Silberman, M. and Auerbach, C. (2014). Active training: A handbook of techniques, designs, case examples, and tips. Pfeiffer.

Starman, A. B. (2013). The case study as a type of qualitative research. Journal of Contemporary Educational Studies, (1), 28–43.

Sundberg, J., Gramming, P., & Lovetri, J. (1993). Comparisons of pharynx, source, formant, and pressure characteristics in operatic and musical theatre singing. Journal of Voice, 7(4), 301–310.

Titze, I. (2007). Belting and a high larynx position. Journal of Singing, 63(5), 557– 558.

Titze, I. (2018). Why /i/ and /e/ can be effective belting vowels. Journal of Singing, 74(5), 543–545

Walsh, R.W. (2006). Exploring the case study method as a tool for teaching public administration In a Cross-national Context: Pedagogy in theory and practice study group IX: Administration and Teaching European Group of Public Administration.

Zull, J. (2002). The art of changing the brain. Enriching teaching by exploring the biology of learning. Virginia: Stylus Publishing.

Downloads

Published

2020-04-01

Issue

Section

Case Study

Similar Articles

1-10 of 327

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.