CAMBA, Andrea Melisa R.

Vocal Pedagogy 1 Finals

1. How will you explain the concept of producing sound (in singing) to a 10-year old female
(will be referred to as Client A)?
Client As Background:
- 10 year old female with no music background
- Has an interest in classical music and singing
- High pitched singing voice
- Early menstruation at 9 years old
- Very tall for her age
Client As Goal:
To be able to start learning how to sing classically and learn at least one song
from the classical repertoire.
Points to remember:
-

Due to Client As posture problems, spending more time correcting her body

posture and improving her body alignment is essential

As Client A is on a beginner level, it is important to start developing proper

breathing technique through basic breath exercises

Since Client A is on puberty stage, focus should be on humming and simple

vocal warm-ups to not force the voice production

Since Client B is a still a beginner, review of the previous lessons is a must
every session

Teachers Objectives
To client A: Hello there! Whats your name? Oh, hi Client A! Its a pleasure to meet you.
I am Melisa and Ill be your voice teacher. You may call me Teacher Melisa. Your mom
told me that you really like listening to classical music. Is that right? Wow, thats good to
know. It amazes me that classical singing really interests you. I am telling you that
singing classical songs are so much fun and I am sure that youll be able to enjoy it a lot!

But, before we sing songs, we must learn the basics first. Just like during exercise, the
first thing you do is your body warm-up right? So these warm-ups are the basics that
we will work on our lessons. Are you excited? Okay, good!
The following are the areas that I will focus on during our first meeting sessions:

Proper Posture
Proper posture and body alignment should be addressed first because this is a great
factor in breath management which is the ABC of singing. According to Larra Browning
Henderson, All great singing demands mastery of two things: body alignment and
breath control. Optimum support cannot be obtained without correct body alignment.
Therefore, once the singer is secure in his body alignment, the breath support and
control, so essential to the vocal line, can be acquired and maintained.
Since Client A is above the height average of girls her age, she naturally developed poor
posture. Her back is slouched, shoulders are rounded and even though her body type is
average, the stomach protrudes. As her potential voice teacher, this is going to be my
first aim to improve.
To Client A: Its really good that you want to learn how to sing but in order for you, and
as well as myself, to produce our singing voice comfortably we must work on good body
posture. I noticed that youre very a tall girl and Im guessing you are probably one of, if
not the tallest, in your class right? And since youre classmates are shorter than you, you
try your best to have the same height level with them. Because of that, you tend to
slouch and round your shoulders, and these can result to bad posture. I also had the
same problem when I was younger since I am very tall as well; and based on my
experience, I really had a hard time singing with a slouched posture because I was really
conscious about my height. But the good news is, we can improve and fix your posture
so that youll be able to sing better.
Posture Drill
Okay, to start our drill, I want you to stand as straight as possible and imagine that youre
the crown of your head is touching the ceiling. Very good. And then, imagine that youre
a zombie raise your arms forward (horizontal to the floor). Make sure your shoulders are
not raised when you do this. Bingo! Thats right. Alright, now I want to put your arms
down and step your right/left foot forward. Then shake your knees. Just relax your mind
and body. Perfect! Now, just stay in that position.

Breath Management
Every beginner in singing starts with breathing. Since Client A never had any musical
background, its just ideal to start at the very beginning. The good thing about this is I
can start from scratch and work my way from there. Itll be much more difficult if she
already had voice lessons before but developed bad singing habits.
To Client A: The next thing that I will work on with you is your breathing. In singing, our
body is like a car and the breath is our fuel. We wont be able to sing properly and
produce a good sound if we dont understand how to breathe properly.

Inhale, Exhale, Hisssss

I.

Stand in the right posture (apply lesson on body posture). Check spine, chest,

II.

shoulders, and knees. Make sure client is not tensed.

Inhale through nose as the rib cage expands. If client lifts chest and
shoulders, correct immediately. Demonstrate proper breathing through

III.

diaphragm. If client has a hard time executing, demonstrate.

Release all tension especially on shoulders. Exhale using a hissing sound like

IV.
V.

air coming from a balloon. Sustain breath up to four counts.

While exhaling, resist the collapsing of the rib cage. Maintain position.
Repeat. If possible, sustain breath longer (in 8s, 12s, 16s, etc).

To Client A: To start on off our breathing exercise, we will use our imagination. I want
you to picture yourself as a balloon. You are a big round balloon full of air. Okay, now
take in as much air as you can through your nose. Try to inhale without raising your chest
and shoulders. Relax. Then, exhale and release the air slowly using a hissing sound
just like air coming from a balloon. Hold it up to four counts. Alright, good job! Okay, now
lets do it again.

Voice Production

Based on Client As speaking voice, I can tell that she is most comfortable in the higher
register of her voice but since I still havent heard her really sing, its best to start with
humming exercises then proceed to basic vocal warm-ups that can prepare her voice in
singing.
To Client A: Okay, Im going to ask you something, what do we do first before going on
with our daily exercise routines every morning? Thats right! We stretch. We make sure
that our bodies are warmed-up before we start our workout. The same goes in singing.
We must first prepare our voice before we start singing our songs. Alright, lets try to do
this humming exercise. (Teach exercise by rote since Client A has no musical
background)
Humming Exercise
I.

Imagine that you have an egg inside your mouth then make humming

II.

sound (hmmm). Sustain the sound as long as possible.

Feel the buzzing sensation in the nasal area which progresses towards

III.
IV.

the eye area and upward towards the head.

Practice humming a basic scale of three notes: Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do.
Move upwards in pitch. Stop and move downwards if client is no longer

V.

comfortable with the register.

Emphasize the buzzing feeling all throughout the exercise.

Future sessions:
Introduce vocal warm-ups to help place the voice (Hee-ah, Kee-Kay, Kee-Kah,
Ning-ee and Ning-ah exercises). When Client As voice starts to come out and
sound forward, assign a piece from the Italian Anthology (Suggested literature: O
cessate di piagrami. Caro mio ben, etc). Work on the piece every lesson after doing the
exercises and vocal warm-ups.
2. How will you explain the concept of producing sound (in singing) to a 13-year old male
(will be referred to as Client B)?
Client Bs Background:
- 13 year old male with no music background
- Became fond of singing Broadway musicals and show tunes at an early age
- Concerned that voice starts to crack in high notes when singing

Also takes ballet lessons (started at age 9)

Client Bs Goal:
To be able to sing his favorite musical theater songs.
Points to remember:
-

As Client B is on his puberty phase, process of change in voice should be

considered. Extreme care for the voice is necessary.

Should be given simple vocal exercises as to not cause any discomfort in the

throat.
Extra careful in choosing literature for this client. Avoid material that are too

vocally challenging for this could harm the clients mechanism.

Learn everything by rote since Client B has no musical background
Since Client B is a still a beginner, review of the previous lessons is a must
every session

Teachers Objectives
Client B: Teacher I really enjoy singing songs from Broadway musicals but how come I
cant sing them as well as I did before? How come my voice always cracks when I hit the
high notes? It makes me sad that I can no longer sing my favorite songs.
To Client B: Hello dear. I want tell you something. Just like other boys your age, you are
undergoing a phase in your life that is called the puberty stage. This is the time when a
lot of changes occur in your body. You suddenly become much taller, your interests
change and you start to grow your facial hair. Right? Also during this stage, your voice is
undergoing change as well and that explains the cracking voice and the difficulty in
singing. But the good news is this is not permanent. This is just a chapter that you need
to go through, just like everyone else. This is normal so dont worry too much, okay?
Remember that singing is a skill that can and should be developed and thats what we
are going to do in our lessons.
The following are the areas that I will focus on during our first meeting sessions:

Proper Posture and Body Alignment

Similar to Client A, Client B is also a beginner therefore it is necessary to start with the
basics. Since singing is involves the entire body, proper posture and body alignment
must be taught at the very beginning.

It is in Client Bs profile that he started dancing ballet at the young age of nine. Since he
is a dancer, he really had no problems with his body posture. I noticed that his stance is
actually goodthe back, chest and shoulders are not slouched. This will actually work to
his advantage as a singer.
To Client B: Okay, the first thing that we need to remember as singers is that our body is
our instrument. Were not like instrumentalist who have their violins, pianos and guitars.
We make music using our body so before we start to sing in our lessons, we must make
sure that we have the proper body posture.
(Teach Posture Drill.)
This is the proper way to stand. (Demonstrate correct posture.) Can you try it? Alright
good. Youre also a ballet dancer right? I want you to apply your posture when dancing.
Keep your back straight, make sure your shoulders are relaxed and unlock those knees.
Try to find your center, just like when you are dancing. If its more comfortable for you to
step one foot forward in finding your balance, do so. Maintain that posture and dont
forget to relax your face as well. Release all your tension. Thats right. Keep it up!

Breath Management
Breathing should be simultaneously taught with proper posture and body alignment.
During the early stages of our sessions, I will also introduce exercises and drills that will
help develop Client Bs breathing.
To Client B: Just like what I have mentioned before, body posture is important in order
for singers to sing properly. But besides our posture, there is one more thing that is as
equally important. Can you guess what that is? Breathing! Right.
Our bodies are like cars. We need gas to keep our engines running. Our breath is the
gas in singing. It is a singers fuel in order for him/ to sing and produce sound.
To start with our breathing warm-ups, Id like you to try this:

Inhale, Exhale, Hisssss

VI.

Stand in the right posture (apply lesson on body posture). Check spine, chest,

VII.

shoulders, and knees. Make sure client is not tensed.

Inhale through nose as the rib cage expands. If client lifts chest and
shoulders, correct immediately. Demonstrate proper breathing through

VIII.

diaphragm. If client has a hard time executing, demonstrate.

Release all tension especially on shoulders. Exhale using a hissing sound like

IX.
X.

air coming from a balloon. Sustain breath up to four counts.

While exhaling, resist the collapsing of the rib cage. Maintain position.
Repeat. If possible, sustain breath longer (in 8s, 12s, 16s, etc).

To Client B: To start on our breathing exercise, we will use our imagination. I want you
to picture yourself as a balloon. You are a big round balloon full of air. Okay, now take in
as much air as you can through your nose. Try to inhale without raising your chest and
shoulders. Relax. Then, exhale and release the air slowly using a hissing soundjust
like air coming from a balloon. Hold it up to four counts. Alright, good job! Okay, now lets
do it again. (Then repeat and sustain breath longer)

Vocal Production
Puberty age is the most dangerous stage in a boys voice. Breaking/cracking of the voice
is due to the gush of hormones which causes the larynx to enlarge. This is the time
where the student (Client B) should take special care to the voice and should be guided
by the voice teacher (me).
Since Client B decided to push through with his voice lessons, the search for the right
materials and exercises should be thoroughly done. As his teacher, I will focus more on
proper voice production and give him basic vocal warm-ups and vocalization exercises.
To Client B: I know that you are very much eager to sing your favorite Broadway songs
but Id like to remind you that singing is a step-by-step process. Before we start singing
your favorite tunes, well have to warm-up our voice through our vocalization exercises.
Singing is like a sport. Before we play the game, we must do our stretching to warm our
bodies up in order for us to avoid muscle injuries. Same with the voice. To make sure
that our voices wont get strained or damaged, vocal warm-ups before singing are a
must.

Here is an exercise that I want you to try. Close your mouth and pretend that you have an
egg inside it. Feel that space inside. And then imagine that you are a bee and make
zzzzz sound. Do you feel the buzzing sensation? Okay, now instead of zzzz try to say
hmmmm. Again, feel the buzzing sensation. It should be felt in the area of your nose.
Good. Now try to imitate this sound. (Play basic scale of three notes: Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do.
Move upwards in pitch. Stop and move downwards if he is no longer comfortable with the
register. Repeat exercise next session and make it a scale of five notes: Do-Re-Mi-FaSol-Fa-Mi-Re-Do)
Introduce basic vocalization exercise to bring out the students voice:
Hee-ah Exercise (Do-Re-Do)
I.
II.
III.
IV.

Insert index finger to first joint to find correct opening of the mouth on ee
Inhale and start to sing the Hee-ah-ew vocalization in one breath.
Dont rush and sing in moderate speed.
Move upwards, one half-step higher at a time. Stop when register is no
longer comfortable for student. Start moving downwards.

Future Sessions:
Upon mastery of the basic exercises and concepts in singing, a piece or two may be
given to Client B for application. (Suggested literature: Corner of the Sky from Pippin;
Evening Star from 110 in the Shade; Ten minutes Ago from R&Hs Cinderella)
3. How will you explain the concept of producing sound (in singing) to a 50-year old male
(will be referred to as Client C)?
Client Cs Background:
- 50 year old male with no music background but sings in tune
- Worked in the army and had an early retirement and wants to try singing
- Fond of singing Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett tunes
- Bad habits were developed unconsciously probably due to frequent singing in
-

gatherings, social get-togethers, etc

Chose to live a healthy life-style. Does not smoke or drink alcohol. Exercises
regularly.

Client Cs Goal:
To improve his singing in a general aspect.

Points to remember:
-

Age is a factor in vocal production. Voice is not as healthy as it used to be

during his youth.

Client Cs lifestyle suggests his health is in good condition which means body

is in good condition. Superb health is always an advantage for singers.

Being able to sing in tune is a plus.
Life in the army made him adapt to loud noises of gunshots and screaming.
Voice seemed to develop a husk. Vocal warm-ups to produce natural sound

of his voice should be introduced.

Developed a bad singing habit: Forced vibrato. Voice wobbles. Work on

exercise that can cure the habit.

Learn everything by rote since Client C has no musical background.
Early retirement means Client C now has all the time in the world for singing.
His enthusiasm could determine the pace of progress.

Teachers Objectives:
To Client C: Good day Sir! Its a pleasure to meet you. It warms my heart that you
decided to take voice lessons after you retired. I cant wait to start working with you!
Alright, so before we start Sir, can you please sing me something? Any song will do.
(Client C sings in accapella.)
Thats great Sir! Okay, so here is what I noticed in your singing. Firstly, I think that you
have a very good singing voice and it reminds me of the old jazzy tunes that my father
listens to. You have a very good ear and most the notes you sang were on pitch. One
thing I noticed though was the exaggerated vibrato and it sounded like a wobble. Dont
worry because that is a common problem that older singers experience and Ill do my
best to help you work on that. I also noticed that when you sing high notes, your voice
becomes a little bit throaty. This can also be fixed easily. Proper breathing and the use
of the diaphragm will help you avoid that throaty quality in your singing. And trust me
Sir, singing high notes will be of less effort!

Breath Support
To Client C: Well begin with breathing. I want you Sir to breathe through your nose and
feel your rib cage expand. Try to fill your lungs as much air as you can. May I see you do
it Sir? Ooops, one more thing, when you inhale, your chest and shoulders should not
rise as you breathe. It should remain relaxed and without tension. (Demonstrate.) Can

you try it again Sir? Yes, thats right! Okay, remember that Sir and always keep that in
mind when you breathe.
Diaphragm Exercise

I.
II.

Inhale and feel the air filling your lungs as your rib cage expands.
Hold your breath and release the air in staccato whiles saying Hah. Your

III.
IV.

diaphragm bounces as if you are jumping on a trampoline.

Do as many Hahs in one breath.
Do it again. Try to increase counts as you repeat the exercise.

Vocal-exercise to address the wobble

Wobble in the voice is caused by (1) Lack of focus in vocal tone (2) Inconsistent support
(3) Dragging too much chest voice too high and (4) a shaking diaphragm.
Client C: Why do you think my voice wobbles? Isnt this shake called the vibrato?
To Client C: Sir, vibrato and wobble is different. The vibrato is produced by the
vibrations of our vocal cords why the wobble is an overly wide vibrato and this can cause
troubles in singing. I think yours is caused by the lack of focus in your vocal tone and
your weak breathing support
Client C: Focus?
To Client C: Yes Sir. Your voice needs to sound more forward. There are instances that
your sound resonates inwards when it should sound outwards for you to be able to
project your voice more.
Client C: Oh. So how will we fix this?
To Client C: Okay, so lets do the Ning-ee and Ning-ah exercises.
This vocalization will help you focus your tone and make it sound more forward.
(Teach and demonstrate Ning-ee and Ning-ah exercises)
Future Sessions:
In future sessions, give Client C to vocal exercises to focus his tone and improve his
breath support. Then ask him to bring in the materials that he wants to work on.

4. How will you handle a 70-year old female (will be referred to as Client D)? How will you
teach her to sing in tune?
Client Ds Background:
- 70 year old female with no music background
- exposed to classical music; avid fan of operas but sings out of tune
- enthusiastic in singing but sings out of tune
Client Ds Goal:
To sing in tune and to learn at least one kundiman.
Points to remember:
-

Age is a factor in vocal production. Voice is not as healthy as it used to be

during his youth.

Slouchy posture because of osteoporosis
Weak hearing therefore requires extra patience in teaching
Fragile vocal condition requires extra care

Teachers Objectives
Since Client D has a hard time singing in tune, sessions must include listening exercises.
This could take time since her age limits her hearing.
To Client D: Good day Madam! I read in your profile that you are a fan of the opera?
Client D: Yes. But the problem is I dont know how to sing the arias and kundimans that I
like. My grandchildren tell me that I sing out of tune. Thats the reason why I decided to
take up voice. Do I still have the chance to learn at this age?
To Client D: Of course Madam! As long as you can commit to our process s then Ill
promise you that youll be able to sing for your apos in no time!
Client D: Okay. Ill trust you. I really hope you can help me.

To Client D: For this session, I want to test you in something. Ill play two notes and I
want you to tell me if the second note is higher or lower than the first note that I will play. I
just want to evaluate your listening skills so Ill know the areas we can focus on.
(Listening exercise)
After several listening drills, well do basic careful stretching and Ill introduce simple
vocal warm-ups and start with 2-3 note exercises.
Vocal warm-ups: Humming (Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do); Hee-ah (Do-Re-Do-Re-Do-Re-Do); AE-I-O-U (one note)
Future Sessions:
If there is progress in listening, body posture and voice production, a kundiman
(Suggested literature: Kung Hindi Man by Abelardo; Lagii Kitang Naalala by Silos; etc)
5. How will you handle a special child or a person with disability (will be referred to as Client
E)?
Client Es Background:
- 17 year-old female with autism
- Has speech problems/difficulty in speaking
- Mood swing attacks
- According to her parents, music calms her down

Client Es Goal:
To use music (singing in particular) as a form of therapy to improve her speech
problems.
Points to remember:
-

Persons with autism require extra care and effort during sessions
Due to her lack of focus, verbal instructions may divert easily divert her focus.

Use of creative visual aids may help Client E prolonging her attention span.
Importance of hand gestures and body movement.

Purpose of voice lessons is more on therapy rather than the mastery of the

skill and art form.

Choose materials that she can relate to. Familiar tunes and melodies may

sound more interesting for her.

Teaching should be animated.

Teachers Objectives:
My objective with this particular client is for her to participate in activities, prolong her
attention span and trigger her speech through the singing and movement.
To Client E: Hello dear! I am Teacher Melisa and today were going to have some fun!
(Gestures while talking) Have you ever seen a duck before? (Show a picture of a duck)
Sing 5 Little Ducks (Gesture song)
Five little ducks went far away
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said Quack, quack, quack
Only four little ducks came back
Now, can you sing with me this time? Very good! (Sing with Client E and let her imitate
the hand gestures)
Listening Drill
Most children with autism are visual tinkers and are good at drawing. These talents
should be encouraged.
To Client E: Now, what were going to do is draw a picture. I want you to draw anything
that you want. You can use all the colors that you want. Okay? (Instruct with hand
gestures and movements)
(Play music from the classical repertoire. This will stimulate Client E and let her interpret
the music she hears through her artwork)
Future Sessions:

Continuous therapy will definitely improve her speech problems. The songs and activities
learned in class should also be practiced at home to help motivate the clients learning
process.