I do it all the time as part of the whole "technical" side of the lessons. I don't use the theory books on the market because they are definitely geared to instrumentalists. Instead, I have the student sing interval drills that teach them all the intervals within the diatonic scale and we discuss how singers sight sing using intervals. This greatly helps those who want to have somewhat of an understanding of reading the score but are wishing to learn to sing more than to learn to read music. Also, I deal with time signatures and note values from the beginning. That way, with each piece of music they learn, they begin to understand why notes are held (or not held for that matter) and what is indicated by the rests. I believe that they become more "whole" musicians in this approach. If they continue on in a more "serious" study program and begin taking exams, at some point they are required to get a theory text and write theory exams as a co-requisite. Those singers who began studying even this preliminary type of theory find the theory exams so much easier than transfer students who have never been given any such info. I guess I've seen so many "mimics" in studios. They can imitate specific singers and styles but don't sing as themselves. They can only make the music by copying and I prefer them to try to initiate from their own talents. Until there's a theory book or course specifically for singers, I will continue to make up lessons and explanations relevant to the repertoire my students study. Hope this helps, Jacqueline jaxsobcon@n... Visit our website at: http://www.slightlyoffbroadway.com Read Jacqueline's musical theatre articles at: http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/musical_theatre and http://www.musicaltheatreinfo.com
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