The Professional Vocalist

Guides the aspiring singer through the unfamiliar world of commercial singing, from the physical processes of voice to effective microphone technique and proper studio protocol.

(Book). This book realistically prepares a singer for life in the world of professional music. Author Gloria Rusch gives candid advice on topics including: getting started, finding a vocal coach, defining one's voice, learning correct breathing, conquering stage fright, microphone techniques, connecting with an audience, common vocal ailments, recording studio pointers, finding a band, landing a record deal, and much more. The book includes extensive interviews with Kevon Edmonds of the group After 7, stage and television producer Ken Kragen, Janis Siegel of Manhattan Transfer, multi-platinum songwriter Andy Goldmark, and other knowledgeable session singers, sound engineers, and arrangers. 212 pages, 9" x 12"

Singer and actors are a unique group of performers, relying almost entirely on their voice for the professional livelihood. Jet lag, amplification, allergens, stress, pollution, and vocal strain all affect vocal performance. Written for the performer, the teacher, and the vocal coach, Care of the Professional Voice offers clear explanations and medical advice on vocal problems and vocal health. Care of the Professional Voice is written by experts in laryngology in the United States and Great Britain. This second edition includes a singer's guide to self-diagnosis.

Singer and actors are a unique group of performers, relying almost entirely on their voice for the professional livelihood. Jet lag, amplification, allergens, stress, pollution, and vocal strain all affect vocal performance. Written for the performer, the teacher, and the vocal coach, Care of the Professional Voice offers clear explanations and medical advice on vocal problems and vocal health. Care of the Professional Voice is written by experts in laryngology in the United States and Great Britain. This second edition includes a singer's guide to self-diagnosis.

The book discusses the musical considerations, vocal production, and kinesthetic feedback inherent to performing persuasively in a variety of styles and idioms, with observations of professional vocalists, instrumentalists, and voice teachers who have successfully crossed over into contrasting idioms.

Each type of performer, whether singer, voice-over artists, dancer/singers, instrumentalist/singers, brings specific issues to the voice treatment team and requires special individual attention from the various members of the team, from laryngologist to speech pathologist, singing or voice teacher. The Singer's Voice identifies these individuals, presents reports on cases with special needs and offers myriad solutions that help to preserve the voice and prevent further damage. It is written by a world-leading group of dedicated professionals from an array of disciplines related to the care and treatment of individuals who use their voices in professional settings. Ranging from current day performers to choral conductors to past rock and roll musicians, all contributors have shown a dedication to the care of the singer and performer through their studios, academic training, their research interests and experience, and their clinical and/or their performance background. The content is thoroughly practical and written to be accessible to a wide range of voice professionals, particularly singing and voice teachers; instructors in the various performing arts; those who provide medical and allied health care; and, indeed, performers and students themselves.

The book discusses the musical considerations, vocal production, and kinesthetic feedback inherent to performing persuasively in a variety of styles and idioms, with observations of professional vocalists, instrumentalists, and voice teachers who have successfully crossed over into contrasting idioms.

This easy-to-read and highly accessible Tipbook has been written in close collaboration with classical and non-classical singers and teachers, therapists and other experts. Tipbook Vocals doesn't teach you how to sing, but it supplies you with valuable, practical information that will help you to understand and extend the possibilities of your voice, to appreciate and evaluate input from voice teachers and coaches, and to have easier access to other literature on the subject. Perfect for singers of any style and at any level, it covers: singing well, registers and voice types; voice care; lyrics; microphone selection; and much more. "Interesting, brief, clearly written ... a useful introductory overview. (Tipbook Vocals) certainly does compile useful information in an extremely well-condensed, abbreviated and accessible form. The opinions expressed in the book ... generally reflect high-quality standards of practice accepted throughout the international community of voice experts." (Robert Sataloff, MD, DMA; Journal of Voice) "This book is a veritable giant of information, and should be in every teacher's and professional's library, as well as the advanced student's. I'm happy to recommend it." (Henry Howell, Australian Music Teacher Magazine) "There's something for all kinds of singers, teachers, therapists and doctors, whether your interest in singing is artistic, anatomical or both. I loved it and it's a book I'd have been proud to have written myself." (Jayne Comins, The Singer Magazine) "While the book provides a wealth of information for the singer, its small profile also encourages its owner to carry it along as a practical reference for the college student, the elementary and secondary classroom or the church or community choir musician. For even the well-trained professional, this Tipbook may offer an alternative view or serve to refresh a stale bag o' tricks." (Karen Nevins, Bella Voce, ACDA Michigan) "A quick reference to confront problems and questions; ten easy to grasp chapters, and a great glossary and index of musical words, terminology and definitions, for solo singers as well choir members, background vocalists and other singers in any style of music and at any level or age."(Barry Rudolph, Music Connection)