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Goals and Objectives of Singing

A clear statement of the goals to be reachedstudying singing?" can seldom give a
should preface any approach to the study ofstraightforward  answer.
singing. The single most important purpose in
the training of a singing voice should be toThere are other goals or objectives that one
develop or make possible the development ofcan list in addition to the literature and
the  utmost  potential  of  that  voice.the  technical  goals.
The ultimate goal to be reached is theUsually students of singing are interested in
ability to sing the literature for afields of singing, such as radio, church,
particular type of voice - soprano, mezzo, orconcert, light opera, opera, and television,
contralto;  tenor,  baritone  or  bass.before they know where they will fit in
vocally. In some instances, radio, for
Vocal literature in itself sets up the goalsexample, a vocal coach would be more helpful.
or objectives for the singer to reach:
quality, diction, agility, dynamic control,Many people are interested in singing for the
range, interpretation and style, and goodenjoyment singing gives them. Many of these
vocal  condition.pride themselves on the fact that they just
sing and know nothing about the technique of
The technical goals or objectives involved insinging or how to read vocal music and don't
singing  are  as  follows:want  to  know.
Normal quality - a ringing, resonant toneOthers take singing lessons to improve their
with a "cover" of beauty and a "metal" orspeaking voices, or to develop self
point  which  carries  or  projects.confidence and poise, or for a keener
appreciation of the art of singing and
A diction that is understandable withoutsingers  and  of  music  in  general.
sacrificing  quality.
The study of singing is thought by many to
Agility - the ability to sing rapid andimprove not only physical health by the
florid  passages  and  difficult  intervals.practice of deep breathing, but also mental
health by the emotional release and enjoyment
Dynamic control - the ability to sing threesinging affords; to strengthen and quicken
gradations of loudness: pianissimo, mezzothe mental processes; to bring about good
piano, or mezzo forte or forte; and theposture; and to develop personality. Perhaps
ability to sing the messa di voce, from softthe practice of singing should do all of
to loud and back to soft again through atthese things, but there is considerable
least the lower three fourths of the singingquestion whether it does, unless a
range.relationship is brought out between singing
and  these  objectives.
Range - the ability to sing approximately two
octaves' range above the average normal pitchThe singing teacher can easily justify his
of  the  speaking  voice.work as a singing teacher on emotional,
mental, physical and personality grounds, but
Interpretation - the ability to change fromusually his approach is an artistic one. To
the normal quality to other qualities forsome teachers, singing is an art and not a
emotional  effect.science; to others if is predominantly a
science; and to still others, it is both an
Vocal hygiene - a technique of singing thatart  and  a  science.
not only tends to keep the voice in good
condition but also tends to develop the voiceThe modern singing teacher, if he is to keep
to  greater  possibilities.step with the advances and discoveries in all
fields related to singing and the teaching of
The goals and objectives are usually takensinging, must combine the artistic and the
for granted, and yet they can be used as ascientific approaches. He must also suggest
measuring stick for a student's progress.goals and objectives, such as those suggested
Singing teachers hardly ever mention them.above, for his singing student.
Most students when asked, "WHY are you



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