This is an approachable; easy-to-use guide to improving ones singing voice. It takes a similar approach used in other Idiots Guide music books to guide the reader step-by-step through the process of becoming a real singer. Readers will learn how to find their ideal singing range; how best to practice; how to improve basic technique; how to stand and breathe properly; how to sing in different musical styles; and how to move beyond singing in the shower to singing in public. Both solo and ensemble singing are covered; as is the concept of sight singing.The book is filled with numerous illustrations and musical examples; as well as fun and productive singing exercises. Unlike more traditional vocal instruction books; Idiots Guide: Singing takes a "fast-track" approach to the topic; so that budding vocalists start singing right from the very start. The book even shows readers how to sing in different musical styles (pop; rock; country; classical; etc.) and how to perform live-including proper microphone technique.This second edition of Idiots Guide: Singing is accompanied by a variety of audio exercises and examples; which will be available online. These online examples and exercises replace the CD-based audio tracks available with the first edition; and will help to make the exercises more immediately accessible and lower the cost of the new edition.
#394859 in eBooks 2001-01-29 2001-01-29File Name: B00MHAUYY8
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Greatest film composer ever. Period.By Robert HayesFor a long time Ive had the pleasure of enjoying many of the films which Bernard Herrmann elevated with his signature musical style. The complete story of his life was no less interesting. He shared many characteristics of artists who I feel a similar affinity with; like Scriabin and Hitchcock; while remaining a unique personality. This biography; the only one Im familiar with was well-written and thorough; allowing a multifaceted perspective on his life and work. It also provided some insights which Im keen to use for my Music History paper this semester. For one; I feel like he best summed up musics role in sound film; as one aspect of a collaborative art. After the main body of the book; there is a complete transcript of remarks on film music that he made at a university film class. One is also provided with a complete filmography and recording discography for further watching and listening. If you in any way enjoy movies and/or music; this book is for you. Highly recommended.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Vieil Homme TerribleBy ilprofessoreBernard "Benny" Hermann--one of; if not *the* greatest composer ever to write music for films--was an enfant terrible. He lived on long enough to become un vieil homme; as well. This revealing book celebrates the genius of the man as a musician and collaborator; but pulls no punches when it comes to depicting his many misadventures and mishaps as a man. Hermann burned almost every bridge he crossed; offended the very people who might have helped him; and so insulted his orchestra players that whenever he made a conducting mistake; as he often did; they followed him to ultimate disaster; causing Benny to lose the many symphony engagements he so coveted. Tail between his legs; he went to London to live and work. The next generation of filmmakers rediscovered him; and; in old age; he ended working for "the kids;" as he labeled them. Even then he could not restrain his serpent tongue. When Spielberg heard he had returned to Hollywood; the then young director came to his scoring stage; and literally knelt before him--there were no chairs--to pay him homage. Benny said; "If you think Im so great how come you keep using Johnny Williams?" An impossible man; but also a very great musician whose scores are now almost all available to us on CDs; proving once again and for all that a very infantile man can also be a supremely mature artist3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Bernard Herrmann: The BiographyBy John DziadeckiAn insightful look into the life of a legend of the silver screen. Bernard Herrmann was a genius who is primarily remembered for his outstanding film scores for Orson Welles "Citizen Kane"; Robert Wises "The Day the Earth Stood Still"; several Alfred Hitchcock classics including his haunting "Vertigo"; a handful of Harryhausen films including the fanciful "7th Voyage of Sinbad"; Francois Truffauts poetic "Fahrenheit 451" and "Brian de Palmas mysterious "Obsession".Smith does an outstanding job of presenting Herrmanns life and times and music. Herrmanns acerbic; oft-times mercuric temperment would suffer no fools. His gift for remarkable orchestration; as one reviewer put it; would make reading a phone book sound great. Herrmanns as composer and conductor spanned radio presentations; concert halls; opera; classical music and the cinema.Quite simply; Smiths biography of Herrmann a must-read for anyone interested in film scores; behind-the-scenes film-making; brilliant music and the genius that was Bernard Herrmann.A keeper.
