Dear David, et al,
I love SmartMusic Studio. It's perfect for someone like me with
barely enough keyboard skill to play vocalises, pick out melodies (as
long as there aren't too many "accidentals" and modulations):-) and
play an occasional chord.
The disadvantages are that it is mechanical. Hey, what do you
expect?!?!? Repertory is limited. For instance, it only offers volume
I of the Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology for S, A, T and Bass/Bar,
while there are three volumes published for each voice. There's not
much when it comes to Sondheim or modern Musical Theatre (nothing
from Les Miz at all for instance). Nevertheless, it does cover a
pretty wide area of vocal material if you prefer the standard college
and university fare including the usual German, French, folk tunes
from all over and even a few song cycles like "Songs of Travel".
If I want to teach phrasing, dynamics, rubato or any other
aesthetics, I have to pick that stuff out phrase by phrase on the
piano.
I use it during lessons but haven't yet offered it to my students.
I'm still not sure whether or not it's a good idea. I worry that it
will teach them to sing one - note - at - a - time - and - one - sy -
lla - ble - at - a - time - in - ro - bo - tic fashion, instead of
singing a good legato (when appropriate) with well turned phrases
that maintains the "long line" through the music. I try not only to
teach them the techniques of singing, but also to equip them with a
working knowledge of the language of music.
Regards,
Les
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