The Contemporary Singer: Elements of Vocal Technique (Berklee Guide)

i bought this book following on from a 10 week vocal training course at central st martins (for singers and actors), and was impressed to find almost everything we'd covered on singing was included in the book, and more.she covers the basics of maintaining vocal health and proper breathing technique, which is the secret to improving your voice, and gives you a foundation that you can adapt to whatever style you prefer, whether soul, rock, opera or whatever.i've used the cd regularly over the past 3 years to workout for 30 mins before i sing. it's great to get your workout in while you multi task and the difference to your voice, when you workout first, compared to when you go in 'cold' is about 80%. what an investment!!

I already have many vocal technique books and this adds to the collection. The book is great and arrived on time and as expected.

I've had some experience with vocal training and performance, but I am not in any way shape or form a performer. This was an excellent book to reintroduce one to the techniques of good vocal performance. The chapters are well written and packed with sound advice. However, if you are not well acquainted with vocal theory or have performed before, you may find the reading as too much information. I would encourage you to read slowly and carefully and enjoy learning about your "voice." Good vocal performers do not happen over night.The CD that accompanies the book is excellent. However, you will have to stop it after each track if you want to practice it again. The excercises are only performed once and then its on to the next track. Thank goodness it's on CD, not cassette!

I had bought this book CD about 7 years ago and I just didn't have the patience to read or do the exercises.I decided to get serious with singing as I am forming a modern rock band.I have taken lessons with various teachers about 5 to be exact.The exercises on the CD is almost an exact copy of what my last and earlier teachers taught me.Every lesson she would have me do scales and exercises.Make sure you have good posture,keep you head about level,chest slightly up.I also bought Roger Loves"Set your voice free" He can definitely sing,but I must be honest the exercises on CD are mundane at best.One thing he did do that I liked is sing each exercise with you.Ann's excercises let your voice explore more dynamics that you would actually use in real singing.Mrs Peckam's exercises most the time have a piano for you to sing along to just like a teacher does,in some of her exercises the guy sings along with you.One area where Ann fell short and thats why I didn't give 5 stars is on the exercises in the book.It says do the exercise then go down in half steps..DUH?Why couldn't she have just made the exercises in the book like the exercises in the CD and have accompaniment?Thats poor telling the student to go down in half steps.To get the full value from the so called exercises one needs to play them a half step down each time on guitar or piano,unless your'e an accomplished singer and can hit the notes exact each time you go down a half step,but then why would you be buying this book if you where that good right?I also bought Jeffrey Allens "Secrets of singing"It seems to be the most thorough of the three,but I can't really leave a good review as I have not read enough of that book or done any exrcises from CD.Anns book /CD equals about 6 months of lessons at $60 an hour,so you could say its a bargainIm an accomplished guitarist and songwriter and I have realized singing is the hardest endeavor I have taken on,not to discourage anyone.I have been singing every now and then for about 7 years,you know karaoke and such.When you decide to get serious about it you have to learn how to breathe properly to begin with,Oh yeah drink lots of water too,Get used to drinking water alot.Oh yea did i mention practicing scales and not just singing your favorite cover tunes?My 2 cents

Very usefull book in general. 5 out of 5 for the very detailed explanation of the mechanical aspects of singing.I found the CD very useful with two comments: The warm up exercises are too long. All voices are female, I wish there was a male voice as well.One week point is that the CD does not have some of the examples songs and none of the practise songs. Only chart for piano is provided. I also found the chapter on Enhacing Tone Quality too short.Very good book with good information. Definitely recommend.