Training Soprano Voices

Book excerpt: Training Soprano Voices provides a complete and reliable system for training each type of soprano voice. Designed as a practical program for singers, teachers, and voice professionals, it couples historic vocal pedagogy with the latest research on the singing voice, emphasizing the special nature of the soprano voice and the proper physiological functioning for vocal proficiency. Renowned singing teacher Richard Miller supplies a detailed description for each of the nine categories of soprano voices. For each category he then surveys the appropriate literature and provides an effective system for voice building, including techniques for breath management, vibratory response, resonance balancing, language articulation, vocal agility, sostenuto, proper vocal registration, and dynamic control. The book concludes with a daily regimen of vocal development for healthy singing and artistic performance. It also features dozens of technical exercises, vocalization material taken from the performance literature, and numerous anatomical illustrations. Unique in its focus on a single voice, Training Soprano Voices is likely to set the standard in voice training for years to come.