A Guide to Vocal Techniques Across Genres: Introduction

 

Welcome to a Journey in Vocal Mastery: Vocal Techniques Across Genres


Hello, and welcome to a special 10-part series [plus this introduction] of posts dedicated to understanding and applying different vocal techniques across a variety of singing genres. Whether you're a novice just starting to explore your vocal abilities or a seasoned professional looking to fine-tune your artistry in a less familiar genre, these posts will offer you valuable insights, practical exercises, and an enriched perspective on vocal production.


My name is Ted, and I have been on a fascinating musical journey for most of my life. My first classical choral experience began when I was 9 years old, as a soprano in the LaCrosse (Wisconsin) Boychoir. My lifelong passion for singing was further kindled at the young age of 16 when I first ventured into the richly harmonic world of barbershop music. Over the years, my commitment to singing led me to earn degrees in vocal performance and K-12 music education, and I further achieved certification as a National Board Certified Teacher in Choral Music. As a public school choir teacher for over 30 years and a private voice instructor for several, I've been privileged to guide singers in discovering their voices and honing their skills across many vocal performance genres.


But my journey isn’t just rooted in education and teaching. I’ve immersed myself in the competitive world of barbershop singing, having directed competitive choruses and sung in numerous championship-winning quartets. I've competed at international barbershop competitions about a dozen times, on all three harmony parts: bass, baritone, and tenor. This breadth of experience not only in teaching but also in performing has provided me with a unique, comprehensive understanding of the voice.


In my voice studio, Ted's Voice Academy, I help singers of all genres, genders, and ages to reach their full potential. The process involves breaking down complex concepts into digestible parts and offering clear, tailored instruction to ensure proper technique. I am passionate about helping singers explore their authentic voices while maintaining vocal health, and I believe one of the best ways to do so is to understand the principles underlying various vocal styles.


As my skills in teaching (and performing) in a variety of styles has grown over the years, I am often struck by A) the common threads of pedagogy across [nearly] all vocal styles, and B) the important uniqueness of each style in how they prioritize and employ much of the same processes. 


Throughout this blog series, we will embark on an exciting exploration into distinct vocal techniques employed in opera, speech level singing, belting, and barbershop harmony singing. While the fundamental principles of singing remain consistent, their application can be unique to each genre. By understanding these distinctions, you can unlock a higher level of mastery in your own voice and versatilely navigate through diverse musical styles. This knowledge can empower you to harness your voice’s full potential, whether your passion lies in the soaring arias of opera, the natural ease of speech level singing, the powerful intensity of belting, or the intricate harmonies of barbershop singing.


Throughout my life, I have heard from many-a-voice professional, exclaiming how a classical singer mustn’t explore other styles, lest they lose their ability to master the classical genre. Well, my experience in exploring various styles has taught me quite the opposite! Much like a person who is adept at playing the trombone, may find it easy to learn to play other instruments as well - and of course, they do not lose their ability to play the trombone! Rather, the “cross training” of delving into various styles can indeed be quite useful to one’s overall mastery of their musical craft! Additionally, once you have learned a skill well, you don’t lose it when you learn another skill. You simply have more choices with which to draw from when making musical and interpretive decisions. 


So, join me in this journey of vocal exploration. Each post in this series, while clearly only scratching the surface, will not only deepen your theoretical understanding but will also provide practical exercises to embed the techniques into your own singing. And of course, I encourage you to explore any style you wish with a qualified instructor by your side! Get ready to unlock new dimensions in your voice and singing approach, no matter where you are on your vocal journey.


Your voice is a unique instrument with a potential as vast as the music world itself. Let’s discover its beauty together. Welcome to Ted’s Voice Academy. Let the journey begin!


NEXT UP! Here's the link to the next part 1 of 10 in the series: Vocal Technique Across Genres: asic Vocal Technique

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