I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing

For the person who's "always wanted to sing"

Choosing a “Learning Song”

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choices photoIt can be really difficult to choose a song to work on if you’ve never done it before, particularly if you want to find a good “learning song”.   Here are some suggestions to help you get started with this process

Choose a great composer, someone who is well respected and has many great compositions.

1.  For classical selections, some examples that I recommend:

  • Mozart (primarily Italian, some German)
  • Anything from the 24 Italian Songs and Arias (published by G. Schirmer and available almost anywhere.  It’s only available in Med. High or Med. Low—sopranos and tenors should get the Med. High and mezzos (altos) and baritones should get the Med. Low.  It goes without saying that altos and basses would get the Med. Low.
  • Schubert (German)
  • Roger Quilter (English)
  • Ernest Chausson (French)  Don’t choose French unless instructed that you are ready by your instructor / voice teacher.

2.  For Musical Theater:

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“Learning to read music”–software recommendation

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I have not yet used this software–but have ordered it and will report back.  It seems to be a step up from the “true beginner” software, Music Ace, that I reviewed in a previous post.  Stay tuned–but if you already use this software and want to comment–please do so!  (There’s a free trial version by the way)

[amazon_link id=”B003AOPNYG” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Auralia Ear Training Software[/amazon_link]

Less expensive and with very good reviews is another product:

[amazon_link id=”B001DF3OOU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Ear Master 5 [/amazon_link]

Sometimes the terms “ear training” and “sight singing” (learning how to read music) are used interchangeably.  Both of these software programs deal with both, training the ear to hear musically AND helping you to learn to read rhythms and notation accurately.

Music 101–the FUN way!

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I still can’t believe how much fun the computer program Music Ace is for someone like me, who has been reading music since I was very young.  Want to get started on the basics (and more) for learning how to read music?  Want to do a little composing?  Want to have fun the whole time?  Get Music Ace.  There are several different versions check them all out to see what’s best for you.   Let me know what you think!  (Note–this will not be challenging enough for people who already know how to read music.  But you may find, as I do, that you enjoy using the program with someone else who’s learning to read music!)

[amazon_link id=”B00007BGQP” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Music Ace I[/amazon_link]

[amazon_link id=”B00018AUBK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Music Ace Deluxe (combo of I & II)[/amazon_link]

[amazon_link id=”B00018AUBU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Music Ace Starter (I haven’t tried this, I believe it’s new)[/amazon_link]

[amazon_link id=”B001BWYESU” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Music Ace Deluxe – Piano Edition [/amazon_link]

Being Effective vs. Being Efficient

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Upon reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Feriss, Chapter 5

If you get it in your head that practicing is the way to reach your goals as a singer and you as a result, add an hour of practice time to your current routine—you may indeed get a lot out of that extra practice time if it is well spent.   But is that the most effective way to your goal?  Is more time practicing always the answer?
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