Singing and the Actor

by Gillyanne Kayes

Book Overview

Singing and the Actor takes the reader step by step through a practical training programme relevant to the modern singing actor and dancer. A variety of contemporary voice qualities including Belting... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0878301062
• ISBN13: 9780878301065
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 170 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

More Vocal Pedagogy Programs Need This Type of Book

Having an actual Master's in vocal pedagogy (classical and non-classical), I would like to give an expert's opinion. This book was a great find when I was working on my master's thesis. The classical-only vocal pedagogy teachers are currently finding that they are being left behind, because of the emergence of scholarly, and expert evidence of the healthy and effective inclusion of ALL types of vocal techniques. Ms. Kayes book "Singing and the Actor" is not only CORRECT but, also desperately needed. Today's classical-only trained pedagogues may be just to embarrassed to admit they were dupped into believing that they have all the training they needed to work as a private voice teacher in the real world. If you are a voice teacher, and don't have this book, I beg you to get it- there is enough ignorance and arrogance some of today's voice teachers- it's 2006 for crying out loud!

Intelligent and Straightforward

This book contains detailed descriptions of the vocal qualities needed in today's theatre singing. It doesn't preach classical techniques, but it does tell you how to find sounds like twang, "speech", and cry safely and correctly. Clear and practical stuff with things to try out and assignments. A really useful book packed with information that I haven't seen published anywhere else. I loved it.

Great technical Walk-thru of voice mechanics!

I've read several good books on voice for acting and singing. There's a lot to learn and I've found it helpful to look at it from many points of view. Other books cover the mechanics to some degree, but this one devotes a great deal of space to exercises that help you identify all the pieces that contribute to the production of sound. With these exercises, I find it a lot easier to methodically troubleshoot when something is not working and narrow it to the problem area, eg, larynx, support, etc. and action that causes the problem, eg, nasality, "excessive pressure on the vocal folds" etc. I also learned the mechanics involved in several techniques, such as "belting" or "crying". I would recommend this to any singer or actor starting out for understanding how the voice works.