American Diction For Singers

Geoffrey G. Forward, acting coach and leading expert in American diction, clearly illustrates for the singer how to gain control by eliminating vocal tension and poor diction and replacing it with clear pronunciation. Put the finishing touches on your singing not only with the excellent diction you will gain by using this text, but also through the concepts of phrasing, identifying key words and singing with emotion, which are brought to life in this book. This 270-page book is an essential addition to the library of every singer, voice teacher and vocal coach.

Often underestimated, lyric diction is a portal to powerful performance. It is through lyric diction that singers are able to communicate the wishes and desires of the poet, as well as the composer. Amanda Johnston takes a modernized approach in English and German Diction for Singers, making German increasingly accessible through the recognition that English and German are related languages, and thus have many things in common with regard to lyric diction. This comprehensive resource includes a thorough analysis of the German and English languages, as well as lists, tables, charts, musical examples, and even tongue twisters. Designed for both undergraduate and graduate courses in German and English lyric diction, this book is an invaluable resource for classical singers, vocal coaches, and voice teachers alike.

Spanish Diction for Singers: A Guide to the Pronunciation of Peninsular and American Spanish is an introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and the sounds of Spanish that help singers to achieve accurate interpretations in little time.

Excerpt from English Diction for Singers and Speakers While this book is put forth by the author especially for the guidance of singers, it is also intended to meet the needs of public speakers, and, in fact, all who pretend to refined or artistic use of the English language. No one who listens to the average singer and public speaker can doubt the need of more careful culture in the art of enunciation; for the concert platform, the lyceum, and the pulpit are constantly giving evidence of a pitiful lack of appreciation of the orthoepic beauty and strength of our language. It is to the discredit of Americans that of all people pretending to art and literature, we are the most careless in our speech. If our American singers, to say nothing of public speakers, would realize the beauty of correct "speech," and study English diction as faithfully as they do their Italian, French, or German, it would not be long before a justifiable pride in our beautiful, varied, elastic, and powerful language would ensue, and a new era in vocal art be established here. To enter into a discussion of diction for singers and public speakers is a serious thing, and the author is well aware that no written treatment of the subject will prove sufficient for the student; the proper study of diction really requiring a personal instructor who is an expert orthoepist, as well as a singer. If then, in this essay a clear course be shown the student, that he can pursue his study of "language in song" with a better understanding of its many-sided difficulties, and with a true method of practice, the book will accomplish all that may be hoped for it. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

In Singing and Communicating in English, internationally renowned diction coach Kathryn LaBouff provides singers with an accessible guide to the principles of English diction they need to communicate the text successfully. In addition to standard American and British English, a variety of regional dialects and accents are covered in depth. A companion website features a full range of vowel/consonant drills, poems read aloud by the author and veteran theater and voiceover actor John Keating, as well as an instructor's answer key, and publishers' lists to help the singer locate a vast array of English language works for performance.

Lyric diction is a portal to powerful and meaningful vocal performance because diction enables singers to communicate the vision of both the poet and the composer. The study of diction involves learning to perceive speech patterns in different languages, practicing their precise articulation, recognizing this in speech and singing, and developing an awareness of the refined movements of the articulators and their effects on singing tone. In the second edition of English and German Diction for Singers, Amanda Johnston continues her comparative, modernized approach to lyric diction. This comprehensive resource offers a thorough analysis of the German and English languages and includes extensive oral drills, word lists, tables, charts, musical examples, and even tongue twisters. Unique to this publication is the illustration of the rhythmic timing and release of consonants within the International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions in all musical examples. This book is designed for both undergraduate and graduate courses in German and English lyric diction and is an invaluable resource for classical singers, vocal coaches, and voice teachers alike. Improvements to the second edition include: An online workbook that includes extensive written exercises suitable for classroom or independent use Chapter-by-chapter video clips that demonstrate the concepts addressed in the text Expanded chapters address the schwa, the treatment of monosyllabic incidental words, the use of R, and the correct formation of the elusive upsilon and extended epsilon Consideration of loan words and stressed vs. unstressed closed German vowels Integrated practice drills for mastering challenging and unfamiliar phonemes Enlarged musical examples show the rhythmic timing and release of voiced and voiceless consonants An expanded appendix on suggested repertoire for diction study Inclusion of specific diction choices suitable for musical theatre repertoire Expanded discussion of healthy glottal onsets, including the concept of juncture Use of the latest resources, namely Deutsche Rechtschreibung (2014) and Cambridge Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th edition (2011) For all users, there is a WORKBOOK. Access the workbook here. The ANSWER KEY is available for instructors. Contact [email protected] for details.