Training Soprano Voices by Richard Miller (Professor of Singing Director of the Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center, Professor of Singing Director of the Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music)
All soprano voices have characteristics in common, but each type of soprano voice also has special features that require a particular approach in teaching. A young dramatic soprano must not be forced into a soubrette mold, nor should the soubrette soprano be assigned dramatic tasks. Training Soprano Voices offers a complete system for training each type of soprano voice based on historic vocal pedagogy coupled with modern-day research on the singing voice. Designed as a practical program for singers, teachers, and voice professionals, the book places emphasis on the special nature of the soprano voice and the proper physiological functioning for the establishment of vocal proficiency. For each category of voice, Miller supplies a detailed description, recommends 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. Dozens of technical exercises, vocalization material taken from the performance literature, and numerous anatomical illustrations are included.