Helping students master the essentials of vocal technique, this book addresses the particular needs of beginners. The pedagogy and selection of songs promote understanding. It also includes twelve titles, several in two keys, including Jeanine Tesori, who wrote songs for the 2001 production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie".

A practical, effective combination of textbook and song anthology, "Foundations in Singing" helps students master the essentials of vocal technique. Addressing the particular needs of beginners, the positive language provides encouragement while the solid pedagogy and wide selection of songs promote understanding. In the new eighth edition, vocal health, formerly Chapter 11, has been moved to an earlier position, Chapter 6, and song contents were expanded. Twelve titles, several in two keys, are new to this edition, including Jeanine Tesori, who wrote new songs for the 2001 production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie", poet Langston Hughes and composers H. T. Burleigh, Margaret Bonds and Duke Ellington. A Mexican popular standard, "Sabor a mi," is included for the first time.

Note: Song Contents listing follows Chapter 12 in the textbook.Song ContentsPreface and AcknowledgmentsThe AuthorChapter 1 -- Freedom to Sing Can I learn to sing? How will I improve my singing? Private lessons or classes? What will I need? Physical freedom How muscles work Stretching Chapter 2 -- Breath and the Body Singing posture Head alignment Learn to breathe The breathing mechanismExhalingInhalingBreath supportAntagonism Ideas about breath support
Interaction between posture and breath action Upside-down breathing BodybuildingChapter 3 -- Free ToneTone qualityDescriptive wordsVocal acousticsTonal goalsOnsets and releases What the vocal bands do Three methods of onset Three methods of release Resonance Increasing your ResonanceFeeling and hearing How to vocalizeWhat pitches to sing Chapter 4 -- Changing Resonances in Your Voice Chest or head? Blending registers Your speaking pitch level What kind of voice?Voice typesBelt and pop singing
VibratoChapter 5 -- Preparing a Song Choosing a song Learning the music Vocalizing the melody Learning the words About breathing Catch breathsTake enough breaths! Interpretation
Working with the wordsChapter 6 -- Understanding Your Vocal Instrument The voice as a musical instrument What's behind your Adam's apple? Vocal health Vocal overuse Damaged voices Defense against colds HearingChapter 7 -- Vowels and Vocal Color Speaking as a basis for singing What is diction? Thinking phonetically Vowels Seven Italian vowels Bright vowels Dark Vowels Pure Ay and Oh in English Eight English vowels Summary of fifteen vowels Equalizing the vowels Vocalizing on English vowels Coloring your voice for expressionChapter 8 -- Consonants and ClaritySemivowels ConsonantsHums Voiced and voiceless pairsSpecial consonants
R: the variable sound Clusters and legato singing Chapter 9 -- Double and Triple Vowels Five common diphthongsSchwa diphthongsSchwa triphthongsChapter 10 -- Performing a SongMusical styles Beginning, middle, and end
Strophic songsThrough-composed songs Pop-song formThe pianistPoise, confidence and overcoming stage fright Preparation is the best confidence builderOnstageWhat about mishaps?If you are ill Chapter 11- Extending Your Voice Vocal strength Focus Increasing resonance Improving breath control Agility RangeLow notes High notesChapter 12 -- Notes for NonmusiciansWhat is a musical ear? Rhythm Measures and bar lines Rhythmic values Syncopation Pitches Keys Major scales
Minor scales Looking at musicMelodies for note-reading Song Contents*new to this edition 15 Songs for Group SingingAmerica the Beautiful Auld Lang Syne Christmas Is Coming (round) De colores Dona nobis pacem (round)*Do-Re-MiGreeting SongHinay Ma Tov (round)Let There Be Peace on EarthScarborough Fair Sing and Rejoice (round) The Star-Spangled BannerThis Little Light of Mine Viva la musica! (round) 12 Traditional SongsAll the Notes of All the EarthAupres de ma blondeCarmelaCielito lindoDeep RiverDown by the Sally GardensDrink to Me OnlyLove Will Find Out the WaySakura, SakuraThe Turtle-DoveValencianita* 24 Art Songs and ariasO Mistress Mine* Since First I Saw Your FaceThe Silver SwanThe Angler's Song*Dolce scherzaIo le diro che l'amoSpring SongWho Is Sylvia?Beautiful DreamerSanta LuciaWillow, Tit-WillowIn HavenStar-EyesThe Sky above the RoofSerenityBy the SeaSerenadeCalma di mare*FancyThe Lord Has a ChildTo a Brown Girl, DeadLo, How a RoseSunshine Again*19 Musical Theater Songs and Popular Song ClassicsIt Don't Mean a ThingLove is Here to Stay, from The Goldwyn FolliesOver the Rainbow, from The Wizard of OzThey Say It's Wonderful, from Annie Get Your GunI'll Know, from Guys and Dolls* Whistle a Happy Tune, from The King and I* All for You, from Saturday Night* One Hand, One Heart, from West Side Story Sabor a mi Soon It's Gonna Rain, from The Fantasticks Consider Yourself, from Oliver* Make Someone Happy, from Do Re MiIn My Life Happiness, from You're a Good Man, Charlie BrownBelieve in Yourself, from The Wiz What I Did for Love, from Chorus Line* Once Upon a Dream, from Jekyll and Hyde Whistle Down the Wind, from Whistle Down the WindI Turned the Corner, from Thoroughly Modern MillieAppendix A Notes on the Songs Appendix B The International Phonetic Alphabet Index of Authors, Composers and Song Sources Index of Vocal and Musical Terms