How to Sing

I was so excited when I saw this course! But I invested two hours without ever singing and decided not to continue. I wish the instructor would jump in with warm ups and get sound coming out of my mouth first, then work on perfecting technique, breathwork and talking about theory.

If you, like me, mainly want to know how to sing along in a group without drawing fishy looks and unflattering comments, chances are this is NOT the course for you. I have not finished watching it, but I have reached the second disc, and the first disc seemed to take for granted that all the students would know how to "carry" or "hold" a tune (and what the heck that expression means, anyway: after a life of playing the flute, I THINK that "carrying a tune" has something to do with staying in the appropriate key signature -- and what instinct tells people that seems to me nothing short of miraculous). It is also assumed that every student knows without explanation how the heck those notes the pianist plays before you start are supposed to cue you -- especially when she begins with two different notes, the first one usually lower, and then you're supposed to start. In other words, this course seems to assume I already knew the very things I bought it in fond hopes of learning! As nearly as I can make out, the only thing this course has to teach unfortunate people like me is how to annoy our true-hearing friends even more than we do now. IF, however, you are among the blessed majority(?) of people who do know these things by some miraculous instinct, then my impression is this must be a truly excellent course, teaching you not only how to sing more powerfully, but helping you attain your optimum physical health and strength by doing so. I would recommend it to a true-hearing friend, but not to a functionally tonedeaf one like myself. It is also hard for me to determine my musical level: as a singer, I am a lifelong utter washout; but I have been playing, and even teaching the flute and sometimes other instruments for almost seven decades, so I know how to read music and how to transpose in certain keys by sight; and I have developed a rather keen affection for certain kinds of music -- G&S, classical or "concert," opera, etc.

Oh, where to even begin…In the history of higher learning, one would be hard-pressed to find a course design so confoundingly backwards as this one! Each lesson comprises a perplexing mix of the following: the professor’s life story (yes, vignettes of her childhood and upbringing in almost every lesson) and her teaching philosophy (honestly, who has a desire to know this except maybe her own former teachers?); a host of astoundingly tedious pedagogical buzz words (evaluate, strategize and integrate, ladies and gentlemen!—lesson 5; an overabundance of scientific/anatomical diagrams of and terms (a HUGE chunk of each session is devoted to this) that really serve no purpose here but as a tremendous amount of filler (this is from someone that LOVES science, but this is absolute overkill here); and a smattering of exercises that by all accounts, appear to be selected based on how silly they make the participant look, rather than their inherent usefulness. Oh, and bad jokes. I mean REALLY bad, jarringly awkward jokes (and I generally love humor, even tacky humor, in a lecture when it is done well—here it is not). This is so the viewer can note how much fun they are having and, lest we forget, the professor constantly reminds us of this as well! Aside from this bizarre medley of activities with surprisingly little relevant content, the course’s most glaring fault is that it comes across rather obnoxiously as a seminar instead of a class. While the one-on-one personalized attention may be wonderful for the on-screen participants, it leaves the viewer feeling like an observer FAR removed from the activities. In the first half of the course, the professor seemingly goes out of her way to give the viewer infrequent opportunities to actually practice singing, and then only towards the end of the lectures. Astoundingly, it’s not until lesson FIFTEEN that voice types are discussed! Little rhyme or reason is given for the small measure of activities that the viewer can actually do at home prior to this, and even then, all energy is directed to giving personalized attention to the on-screen participants, with the viewers generally addressed in a throwaway line such as, “our viewers at home can do this too!” This leads to one of the most infuriating quirks of the professor: virtually EVERY time the participants conduct an activity, she follows up with an interrogation session for them: so how did that feel? And what are your thoughts? It’s really insufferable and has to actually be seen to be believed. To top it off, the six participants in the video have by their own admission had either previous extensive vocal lessons or are singers in a band with years of experience. In other words, the participants that are supposed to be “learning along with the viewer” are already phenomenal singers and virtually NEVER make mistakes! This professor may be a wonderful vocal coach in person, but this course seems to try to go out of its way to avoid doing what is purports to do: to teach us about the joy of singing!

I am only into the first 2 lessons and I already have seen an improvement in my singing. Thank you!

I reviewed the book content before wrapping for the recipient. Questions answered on behalf of recipient. I think he'll enjoy the gift. It was a great deal! Thanks!

This product is interesting and informative. I am learning a lot.

The course’s format, a visit to continuous classroom (six students: three male, three female, different ages and skill levels), allows the teacher to move smoothly from topic to topic while the viewer never leaves the familiar classroom. Dawn Pierce may be model for the perfect teacher. She is engaged, articulate, precise, occasionally dramatic and often funny. She weaves stories from her singing career, antidotes about her family, her personal trials and struggles and music arranged by her uncle, into what she describes as a “toolbox”, a set of techniques for singers at all levels of skill. The course is not dumbed-down; it does not hesitate to show, in clear illustrations. complex topics such as the physiology involved in singing or how sounds are classified. But the focus is always on learning real world skills as we watch the teacher and our six new friends often struggle to master some skill. The viewer is invited to join in by engaging in exercises or drills that mirror the skills being taught. The course’s neatly packaged tool kit cannot and, as Ms. Price urges, should not be digested whole; there is too much. The student, the viewer, must decide what topics to work on and then revisit the course selectively. A caution: there are some critical skills not addressed in this course; it does not attempt teach how to read printed music, or explain music theory or train one in pitch reproduction or recognition.

I haven't finished the course yet but so far I've learned how to improve my voice, and posture. As a fitness instructor I wish I had taken this course years ago, not just for myself but also for clients. For singers, Professor Dawn is enthusiastic, humorous, and an excellent instructor.

Sang solo parts in two plays in High School 1973. I just recently purchased a guitar & wanted to be able to sing correctly several songs that I also want to play correctly. If I was taught to sing like this course, I probably would be singing & playing for a living. Excellent course & teacher!!

I just bought this course today. As per my instructor, Dawn Pierce, I will be repeating this lesson at least five more times. (I was sitting, Teleworking!)