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Singing Popular Music

Singing Popular Music

This course is part of The Singer Songwriter Specialization

Instructor: Jeannie Gagne

34,278 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

189 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

189 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Identify and practice using appropriate breathing technique while singing.
Identify and practice using your head voice, mix voice, and chest voice while singing.
Learn healthy ways to perform powerful singing/belting.
Incorporate improvisation techniques in your singing style.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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This course is part of the The Singer Songwriter Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

You've been studying the greats, working on improving your vocal skills, and building vocal technique. Now it's time to take the next step in your singing career to shine as a vocalist. Singing Popular Music provides you with the essential skills to define your own unique vocal style and sing healthfully. The course begins with devices to support and alter your sound including vowel quality, tone production, and breathing techniques. From there, you will learn how to use techniques like mix voice and belting in contemporary singing styles. Then you'll take a cover song and make it your own. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to confidently and healthfully sing in your desired vocal style as well as understand how you can alter your singing to match other contemporary styles.

Module details

Welcome to the course! First, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience. Then, we will dive into our first topic on vocal styles and tone quality. Vocal style is shaped by language. How you interpret the meaning of the text and phrases impacts your artistry. The tone of your voice—which is essential to your style—is defined by the way you shape and pronounce vowels in words, while consonants give words rhythm. In this lesson we will discuss different vowel shapes and how devices such as vibrato, legato, and dynamics shape your sound. We will focus on gaining vocal self-awareness, practicing breathing techniques, and making style-appropriate choices.

What's included

5 videos8 readings3 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

5 videosTotal 19 minutes

What You'll Learn in Module 11 minute
Focusing on Two Vowel Shapes4 minutes
Breathing Techniques6 minutes
Consonants5 minutes
Legato, Staccato, and Vibrato4 minutes

8 readingsTotal 62 minutes

Welcome to the Course!7 minutes
Course Resources5 minutes
Earn A Course Certificate10 minutes
Connect with Your Classmates5 minutes
How Vowel Shapes Affect Tone Quality10 minutes
Altering Vowel Quality10 minutes
The Anatomy of Breathing10 minutes
Guide to Practice Exercises5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 46 minutes

Review: Vocal Styles and Tone Quality10 minutes
Module 1 Graded Assignment30 minutes
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Practice Exercise #16 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 45 minutes

Practice Exercise #1: Singing Vowel Shapes45 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 15 minutes

Meet and Greet5 minutes
Singing for Effect10 minutes

The mix voice vocal register or placement is a topic of much confusion. In this module, we will take a close look mix voice, how it can be helpful for you, and when to use it or not to use it. We will also continue to fine-tune the elements in your own style.

What's included

4 videos6 readings3 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 11 minutes

What You'll Learn in Module 21 minute
What is Mix Voice?1 minute
Practicing Mix Voice6 minutes
Continuing to Identify Your Style2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 55 minutes

What is Mix Voice?10 minutes
Identifying Mix Voice10 minutes
Practicing Mix Voice10 minutes
Knowing When to Use Mix Voice10 minutes
Identifying Your Style10 minutes
Sign up for the full experience!5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 47 minutes

Review: Mix Voice in a Contemporary Setting10 minutes
Module 2 Graded Assignment 30 minutes
SELF-ASSESSEMENT: Practice Exercise #27 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 45 minutes

Practice Exercise #2: Mix Voice Performance45 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Mix Voice10 minutes

In this module, we'll take a close look at big singing, when you might use it, and how to do it safely. In today's musical landscape, belting is not required to be successful, but to be the best singer you can be, it is good to explore the full extent of your voice. That exploration includes singing with physical power. As we explore powerful singing, we'll look at what it is and what it is not. This method may be an important part of your sound, or ultimately you may decide that it's not for you. Either conclusion is fine artistically, depending on your chosen style and overall message.

What's included

4 videos4 readings3 assignments1 peer review2 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 4 minutes

What You'll Learn in Module 31 minute
Belting0 minutes
Healthy Belting2 minutes
What is Falsetto?1 minute

4 readingsTotal 45 minutes

What is Belting?15 minutes
Vocal Anatomy of Belting10 minutes
Exercise: Neutral Singing Warm-up for Belting10 minutes
Understanding Voice Registers10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Review: Singing Powerful Styles Healthfully10 minutes
Module 3 Graded Assignment20 minutes
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Practice Exercise #330 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 45 minutes

Practice Exercise #3: Using Powerful Singing Performance45 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Understanding Powerful Singing10 minutes
Using Powerful Singing Performance30 minutes

In this module, we'll focus on how to frame your music, genre-wise. We'll look at whether or not you want to include improvisation in your tune(s), and we'll discuss how to take a cover song and make it your own. Finally, you'll spend time demonstrating your vocal style by covering a song of your choice.