Types of Voice Training 1

Voice training is a specialised, interdisciplinary field that develops the behaviours individuals need to use their voices correctly, effectively and beautifully in speaking and/or singing. It includes areas such as speech training, singing instruction, choral training and advanced vocal training. In this definition, “correctly” means conformity with anatomy and physiology, the characteristics of language and music, reality and rules; “beautifully” refers to harmony in delivery and balance in measurable behaviours; and “effectively” describes the emotional impression left on others. (Töreyin, 1998)

Voice training can be considered part of music education, while treatment for speech disorders provided by speech specialists or phoniatricians can also fall within its scope. This article, however, discusses voice training and its types specifically within music education.

The breathing, vocal and language behaviours taught in all forms of voice training are fundamentally the same. However, the target behaviours of speech training, singing instruction, advanced vocal training and choral training may vary with the aims and levels of the institutions where they are taught.

1. Singing instruction

This is a form of voice training that includes teaching songs and develops the behaviours needed to sing correctly, effectively and beautifully in keeping with the principles of voice training. It is used particularly in institutions providing general and amateur music education.

Alongside work on rhythm, melody, language and musical hearing when teaching songs, singing instruction aims to develop correct, beautiful and effective voice use. For this reason, it is offered particularly in primary and secondary schools.

The aim of singing beautifully within voice training gives rise to singing instruction. Singing correctly, effectively and beautifully is, in a sense, the result of voice training. Singing instruction focuses on using the voice, breath and language correctly, effectively and beautifully. By developing appropriate behaviours related to these elements and to music, it provides a foundation for advanced vocal training.

2. Advanced vocal training

Advanced vocal training is a professional, interdisciplinary form of voice training based on singing instruction. Used particularly in professional music education, it builds on the fundamentals acquired through singing instruction and aims to give the voice the strength and endurance needed to sing with advanced technique and artistry. It seeks to develop the ability to perform works composed especially for vocal training with artistic expression and technical mastery. Singing instruction, by contrast, develops vocal and musical behaviours for singing songs of every type and level correctly, effectively and beautifully.

The distinction between singing instruction and advanced vocal training arises from their different aims and levels within voice training. Both aim to develop certain shared fundamentals: taking and using breath correctly, producing the voice in the right place in accordance with anatomy, using language properly and singing the music accurately. However, the behaviours taught and the methods used vary according to the institution’s specific objectives and the type and level of the selected song. This is where the practice of singing instruction and advanced vocal training diverges.

Zeynep Fuçucuoğlu
Rekor Sanat – Singing Teacher