This course is part of the The Singer Songwriter Specialization

4.5
stars
146 ratings

Jeannie Gagne

23,046 already enrolled

Offered By

The Singer Songwriter SpecializationBerklee

About this Course

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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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 4 in the

The Singer Songwriter Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

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What you will 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 will gain

Popular Music
Breathing Techniques
Belting
Music
Singing

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 4 in the

The Singer Songwriter Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.76/5 (52 Ratings)

Jeannie Gagne

Offered by

Berklee

Established in 1945, Berklee is at the forefront of contemporary music education, bringing its award-winning curriculum to more than 3.5 million students around the world. Currently comprising Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee NYC, Berklee Summer Programs, and more, Berklee is shaping the key players of tomorrow’s music industry. With innovative programs in performance, production, business, theater, dance, and more, students come away from their Berklee experience with a professional portfolio, practical job skills, and a strong sense of community.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(2,491 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Welcome to Singing Popular Music!

2 hours to complete

6 readings

2 hours to complete

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.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 19 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes

Week2

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Mix Voice in Contemporary Singing

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 11 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Singing Powerful Styles

In this lesson, 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.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 4 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Developing Your Sound: Style Awareness and Integration

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 16 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes

Reviews

4.5

52 reviews

5 stars
71.23%
4 stars
21.23%
3 stars
1.36%
2 stars
1.36%
1 star
4.79%

TOP REVIEWS FROM SINGING POPULAR MUSIC

by MMNov 26, 2020

Great course, had lots of fun doing it and it is very informative.

by NYAug 15, 2021

I became more confident in my singing after enrolling this course. It really helped me. Thank you so much to Professor Jeannie Gagne! :)

by CGJun 29, 2021

I had so much fun taking this course! I learned so much about the voice and singing!!!

by PPJun 25, 2022

The instructor is very talented and provided outstanding examples and models to follow

View all reviews

About the The Singer Songwriter Specialization

Do you have a song in your heart that you want to share it with others? In the Singer/Songwriter specialization, you will learn all the skills you need to write, perform, and record your own original music. You’ll begin by learning how to play the guitar to accompany yourself in Guitar for Beginners. You’ll learn how to play chords and scales, as well as strumming patterns and finger picking patterns. In Singing Popular Music, you’ll explore your voice and develop your own personal style. You’ll learn how to sing properly, mastering the correct techniques and breath support. From there, you’ll hone your writing craft, focusing on lyrics. You’ll learn about stressed and unstressed syllables, rhyme schemes, and lyrical phrasing.You’ll also record into a Digital Audio Workstation, focusing on Ableton Live and capturing both MIDI and real instruments into your DAW to record and share your ideas with the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Singing Popular Music

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain