FROM THE VOCAL STUDIO TO THE PRACTICE ROOM: AN OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON EFFECTIVE PRACTICING AND AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF VOCAL EXERCISE BOOKS

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to compile a list of resources to aid singers in their pursuit toward effective practicing. A survey was given to one hundred anonymous participants: fifty vocal students and fifty vocal teachers. The data collected from this survey showed that vocal students would like more resources available to aid in practicing more effectively. Additionally, the study reveals that many of the vocalise books that are in the vocal repertoire have fallen from tradition for reasons unknown, while one composer's vocalise book, Nicola Vaccai's, still remains in the teacher and student repertoire.

This study provides resources culled from journals, text books, and musical scores. Also provided is a library of vocalises, which are divided into categories on specific vocal matters. The vocalises are categorized alphabetically, by both the category and composer. The final chapter shows the results of the surveys.