VOCAL TECHNIQUE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
AND POP MUSIC

The musical theatre, broadway, jazz and popular music of our day have their very own unique vocal demands, which must be addressed. The sound of the vocals is distinctly different. Consequently, the voice must be developed differently than for a classical singer.

At the Singing Studio, the insights and exercises related to modern day vocal approaches, which are beneficial for those singers who want to sing pop and musical theatre songs, are adapted when applicable as part of Ms. Staiman's own teaching methodology. Yet there are definitely areas which overlap and the principles of the Italian 'bel canto' singing technique still apply.

When learned safely and well, this vocal work allows the singer to pass through the passages in the voice smoothly, eliminating the natural 'breaks' in the voice, thereby blending the 'chest' and 'head' voices. This bridge between these two vocal placements takes time to build and is accomplished with careful vocal exercises. The result is a connected, strong, yet beautiful sound, from a voice that never tires and is produced effortlessly.

Vocal stamina is another consideration when singing pop music or any style of vocal music for that matter. Like sports, endurance in singing is something that develops over time with consistent healthy vocal technique. I like to refer to singers as "vocal athletes."

The vocal technique needed for broadway, musical theatre, jazz, rock, blues and pop songs must not be under estimated. Singers of these gendres sing every night, often six performances a week and if lucky for many months and even years in a row. They need a vocal technique that can stand up to these rigourous demands.