Recommended Reading
While to become a better singer it is necessary to practice, study with a good teacher, listen to many recordings and to live performances, listen and attend masterclasses and perform as much as you can - you can also become a better singer by reading. The Toronto Public Library has many books that you can either check out or read in the library (reference copies). It is also useful to have a few books on the shelf, as you may find that many of the good books you will read and re-read and every time learn something new... I know it costs extra, but think how much you pay for lessons... Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you would have a complete approach to singing by a world class teacher on your shelf for less than the price of one lesson with your teacher?
Vocal Methods, Exercises & Vocalises
Partial list - more coming soon...
- Mathilde Marchesi’s books: Vocal Method, Exercises & Vocalises. For example: Bel Canto: A Theoretical and Practical Vocal Method. Free scores by Mathilde Marchesi are available in the International Music Score Library Project. Recommended especially for female voices.
- Vocalises by B. Lütgen (20 Daily Exercises) For Vocal Flexibility and Colorature. Fun and great.
- The popular Practical Vocal Method by Nicola Vaccai (Vaccaj). There is a cheaper edition (Schirmer ~$5) or a more expensive one (Ricordi ~$20) with larger print, more information and CD including full performance (with singers) and piano accompaniments only. Practical Vocal Method / Metodo pratico de canto is available online in the International Music Score Library Project.
Vocal Pedagogy, Anatomy and other Textbooks
Some of these books are targeted to voice teachers, but I find that many singers can benefit from learning to be their own teacher, taking responsibility over the instruments and being more aware of it.
- Singing: the Mechanism and the Technic
by William Vennard
- Books by Richard Miller, for example:
- Training Tenor Voices
- Training Soprano Voices
- Securing Baritone, Bass-Baritone, and Bass Voices
- Solutions for Singers: Tools for Performers and Teachers
- The Structure of Singing: System and Art in Vocal Technique
- On the Art of Singing
- National Schools of Singing: English, French, German, and Italian Techniques of Singing Revisited
- Training Tenor Voices
- Power Performance for Singers: Transcending the Barriers
by Shirlee Emmons and Alma Thomas
- Great Singers on Great Singing: A Famous Opera Star Interviews 40 Famous Opera Singers on the Technique of Singing
by Jerome Hines
- List of recommended reading for the vocalist
Sheet Music - Build Your Own Library
Yes, you can use the library, but it feels wonderful to invest in your own sheet music. Below are some suggestions. One of the online stores I recommend using for searches (and also purchases) is Sheet Music Plus; it has a very large collection of scores, with detailed information and reviews and many of the scores have a few sample pages.
Lists coming soon...
- RCM Voice Series, Third Edition
The Voice Series, Third Edition encompasses a rich and varied selection of repertoire, vocalises, and recitatives that students of all ages and voice types will find appropriate to their musical interests and level of technical ability. Several languages in addition to English, French, Italian, and German are represented throughout the Voice Series. The Voice Repertoire books feature a comprehensive collection of core teaching pieces from the Baroque to contemporary periods as well as international folk songs and original selections not found in any other collection. Repertoire has been selected with an emphasis on intrinsic artistic merit, while ensuring technical suitability for each level. Voice Repertoire 7 and Voice Repertoire 8 offer maturing vocalists an engaging selection, including art songs and lieder from the standard repertoire and lesser-known gems drawn from musical traditions around the world.
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