Pop and Rock Vocals

View a promo video of author and instructor Didi Stewart discussing Pop and Rock Vocals.

Singers who have a rich Pop and Rock vocal background have a distinct advantage over their competition. The wealth of techniques at their disposal, such as a professional command of dynamics, emphasis, nuance, and inflection allows these singers to have a more personalized approach to the genre, provides them with increased confidence as a performer, as well as a richer, more resonant tone.

Starting with the blues and country roots of 1950s rock 'n roll, Pop and Rock Vocals proceeds chronologically through instruction in important subgenres, including pre-Beatles pop, folk-rock, punk/New Wave, and 1980s dance pop/mainstream rock, concluding with the modern-day indie rock influenced by these earlier styles. Through guided study using video demonstrations, audio clips, and informative historical narrative, you will learn the technical and interpretive vocal skills necessary to master the styles of pop/rock greats, such as John Lennon / Paul McCartney, Janis Joplin, Robert Plant, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Madonna, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Tori Amos, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, and many others.

The course explores breath support and management to facilitate pop and rock "belting," interpretive and "storytelling" techniques to heighten a song's emotional impact, and ways to increase flexibility and create a balanced tone. The course also addresses the visual as well as vocal aspects of pop/rock performance, focusing on audience communication and effective use of the stage area. Throughout the course, you will record sing-along track assignments for instructor feedback. High and low keys for both male and female vocalists will be provided. You will learn to perform everything from "classic hits" pop and rock to singer-songwriter styles to contemporary indie rock in an authentic manner.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• use breathing, projection, and articulation to achieve a more powerful, dynamic pop/rock sound with less effort
• perform an impressive variety of vocal styles ranging from lyrical pop to hard rock
• use communication devices such as eye contact, hand gestures, and point-to-point onstage traveling
• utilize devices specific to pop and rock vocalizing, including the concept of "sung speech," the minimizing of vibrato, and the use of tension/release to create exciting verse-chorus transitions
• preserve vocal health while singing more challenging forms of rock and pop

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