Thoughts on Simple Singing     Wikipedia     Les livres rares de McGill

"Thoughts on Simple Singing: Towards a More Adequate Vocal Terminology"
in: The Modern Singing Master: Essays in Honor of Cornelius L. Reid
Ariel Bybee and James E. Ford, Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2002

Festschrift for Cornelius L. Reid's 90th birthday

Now available in paperback! Cornelius Reid may be the Galileo of vocal pedagogy. Claiming to have rediscovered the science and the craft of the Bel Canto maestros, this modern singing master researches as he teaches, and he invites voice students, voice teachers, and voice scientists to share his discoveries.

The Modern Singing Master is a compilation of essays written by renowned singing teachers as their testament to their great singing instructor, who enabled them to really understand how to sing and how to teach singing to their students. Reid is honored as the "philosopher of singing". The essays explain the four basic principles with which he works: the two-register theory, the necessity for pure vowels, the use of rhythm to encourage the muscles to react spontaneously, and the choice of dynamic (loud or soft). His research and interpretations have given birth to a new era of voice and pedagogy known as "Functional Voice Training".

This work concludes with a marvellous article written by Cornelius Reid himself on the fascinating musical journey he has taken over the past sixty years. Recommended for beginning and experienced singers, singing teachers, and all fans of Cornelius L. Reid.

Cloth edition originally published in 2002 under ISBN 0-8108-4241-6.

Table of Contents for "The Modern Singing Master"

Part 1: The Two-Register Theory Controversy
Part 2: The Two-Register Theory in Practice
Part 3: Contexts and Affinities
Part 4: Reid in Germany
Part 5: Scholarly and Pedagogical Autobiography

Reviews for "The Modern Singing Master"

"The creator of "Functional Voice Training," modern singing master Cornelius L. Reid claims to have rediscovered the science and craft of the Bel Canto maestros. This volume contains contributions from singing teachers trained by him (as well as one from Reid himself) discussing his vocal pedagogy. Sample topics include vocal repair, scientific support for the two-register theory, and the influence of Reid's ideas on voice teaching in Germany."
            Reference & Research Book News


 "Well written and well organized, The Modern Singing Master is an overview of Reid's philosophy, both in his own words, and in the words of others. The volume is an important contribution to the ongoing dialogue about differing pedagogical theories."
            NATS Journal of Singing


 "This book is a wonderful read, no pun intended full of challenging propositions and affirmations for our own knowledge and practice. Above all, this publication is a mountain-top achievement for a man whose life's journey has been one of constant discovery. Thank you to the initiators of the project that brought this book to fruition."
            Australian Voice


 "It will be compulsive, and perhaps should be compulsory, reading for teachers of singing."
            The Singer


 "A stimulating mélange of articles...There is much good common sense to be found here"
            Music Teacher


 "This volume is a compilation of essays written by singing teachers as their testament to Cornelius Reid, a great singing instructor who enabled them to really understand how to sing and how to teach singing to their students. In this book, Reid is honoured as the "Philosopher of singing", a teacher whose research and interpretations have given birth to a new era of voice and pedagogy known as Functional Voice Training. The work concludes with an article written by Cornelius Reid himself, detailing the musical journey he has taken over 60 years."
            Amazon.com