For the opera singer, the chapter on crossover is pertinent. Hong-Young's solutions to the challenge of making the operatic voice sound idiomatic on Broadway are straightforward.
—Opera News
. . . one of the best books on this subject that we have seen.
—Stage Directions
This technical handbook on studying singing provides what few others do: both a scientific basis and practical guide. In it, Arabella Hong-Young, who has been a singer for 60 years and a teacher for 40 years, explains the vocal apparatus and process in simple, comprehensible terms. She also offers extensive exercises to guide students through detailed steps in learning to sing.
The vocal techniques she presents are geared to solve specific challenges throughout the range from the simplest approaches for the beginner—proper posture, breath control, voice placement—to the more advanced study for professional students, including:
- the adaptation of a classical technique for improving vocal quality and control in musical theatre, pop, rock, and jazz singing
- "Zen in the Art of Studying Singing" for focusing the mind to get the most out of one's studies
- "How to Audition" for the complete process from the audition package, attitude, preparation, and presentation to controlling fear.
For this revised edition, Hong-Young offers a new featured chapter, "Conquer the Hole in the Voice," in which she supplies unusual insight into handling the upper and lower passaggio changes in voice. Passing from one register into another requires adjustment in vocal placement and Hong-Young explains exactly how this is achieved. Her detailed and numerous exercises help singers solve this universal problem.
Anyone serious about singing, whether amateur or professional, will benefit from the wealth of instruction in this book. It is also ideal as a supplement and reference guide for students, teachers, and classes.
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