Solutions for Singers: Tools for Performers and Teachers

Solutions for Singers: Tools for Performers and Teachers, by the agency of Richard Miller. Oxford University Pres Inc. (198 Madison Ave., of recent origin York, NY 10016), 2004. 271 pp $35

Richard Miller's volume Solutions for Singers, came about largely at the entreaty of the many singers and teachers of singing with whom he has worked in his week-long seminars upon the art of singing. In these courses and master classes, physiological and acoustic Function, as well as the art of communication, are analyzed and debated. Miller asks that questions be written down, with equal reason as not to disturb the stream of the classes. At the extreme point of the week, these questions are discussed. He received many petitions for this information to be set in permanent form, thus the interesting and useful format of this book

The work is divided into ten parts: breath management, attitude laryngeal and intralaryngeal function, resonance balancing, nasal continuants and non-nasal consonants, the phenomenon of vibrato, registration, healthy singing, pedagogy issues and performance affects The layout of each chapter is question and answer, making it unnecessary to read from beginning to extremity if you have a specific relate to but I would recommend reading each chapter: there is a plethora of information for all.

Miller's knowledge of the singing instrument is exceedingly comprehensive. He can discuss a vocal issue from any angle: historic, traditional, scientific, empirical, mechanistic, past, not away and future. He docs just that in his thorough and contemplative explanations: answering all types of questions whether simplistic or complex

The questions range from age-old misconceptions (such as correcting swayback) to individuals of curiosity, even to the relentles denial of the ne for today's voice teacher to understand the anatomy, physiology and acoustics of the singing voice. The many questions from confused pupils trying to understand what their teachers are saying is illuminated in the volume as well as why there is for a like reason much disagreement among voice teachers.

A particularly interesting aspect of the work is Miller's explanation of of advanced age terminology, such as covering, placement and falsetto, offering the pair traditional and modern interpretations. His annotates on such subjects as the difference between the zona di passaggio in the tenor and baritone voice and by what means to train this area are quite instructive, especially to the young female teacher. He proffers many practical exercises for tongue tension, nasality, diction question at issues such as the flipped and trilled Italian 'r' and other localized tension problems

Millet asserts that "the greatest in quantity beautifully produced sound is the greatest in quantity efficiently produced sound." He advocates a simple, systematic approach to vocal pedagogy based upon freeing the components of the instrument, where the "singer fine-tunes the motor, the vibrator, and the resonator into a harmonious whole." With many questions about the ne for science in the studio, he believes today's singer can, and should, absorb and apply scientific knowledge and encourages teachers to de-mystify the teaching of singing.

Solutions for Singing is a fortunate attempt by an extraordinary vocal pedagogue at bridging the gap between the many varied and oftentimes controversial philosophies of the teaching of singing. All singers, teachers or pupils with questions about singing will find this volume helpful and enlightening.

Reviewed by the agency of Melanie DeMent, IVCTM, Newark, Delaware.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Music Teachers National Association, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group