Early vocal technique developed to serve opera, oratorio, national and art songs, and select sacred and secular music. Since that time, other genres (including: blues, folk, gospel, jazz, pop, rock, etc.) have been underdressed in vocal pedagogy publishing and research. The development of CCM pedagogy begins with the fracture between “legitimate” and “belters,” followed by the development of the “crooner.” Such developments following early vocal pedagogy are illustrated using audiological analysis of “Over the Moon,” from the Broadway musical, Rent, as sung by Idina Menzel, and “Song to the Moon,” from the opera, Rusalka, as sung by Renée Fleming. The analysis illustrates measure and significant differences between early vocal pedagogy and CCM pedagogy. Thus, the techniques used to train singers in CCM styles should be tailored to the particular performing needs of the singer; the vocal techniques required to produce specific styles are likely to be specific. Teachers need appreciate and respect any style they teach, so as not to change the style, compromising both the integrity of the art and the singer. No single voice technique can serve all styles of singing; the goal remains the same: artistic, efficient, expressive, and healthy singing.
In Support of Contemporary Commercial Music (Nonclassical) Voice Pedagogy