Solo Vocal Book Recommendations

Written by Alecia Stringer on Jan 5, 2012 5:41 am

As I teach voice lessons, there are several books I use and recommend for students and teachers alike. We all like to be well rounded musicians and sing our favorite popular songs now, along with the classics to really train our voice in different timbre’s and vocal range.

Most vocal books now come with an audio CD of the accompaniment. I recommend that you get these when available so you can get different outlooks on how people put this piece together. Always look for other recordings to get a different view point. Also connect with an experienced teacher that can play the accompaniments if you decide to perform this piece in front of an audience.

Most of these books come in different ranges, like high, medium low, tenor, etc. Be sure to connect to a voice teacher to evaluate your vocal range. Most of these links go to a Mezzo Soprano vocal range, which is a popular range for my students currently. Every voice is different. There are also ways to transpose a piece easily on keyboards now, and different software or players for the CD. So you can always take a look at one vocal range and work to customize it for the student as well. Take a look at the solo vocal books I recommend for beginner voice students:

Sightsinging: The Complete Method for Singers (Musicians Institute Essential Concepts) [Paperback]

Hal Leonard Standard Vocal Literature Mezzo-Soprano Book & CD

Pathways of Song, Vol 1: Low Voice (Book & CD) (Pathways of Song Series) [Paperback]

Pathways of Song, Vol 2: Low Voice (Book & CD)

Pathways of Song, Vol 3: Low Voice (Pathways of Song Series)

The First Book of Mezzo-Soprano/Alto Solos: Book/CD package (2 CDs) (First Book of Solos)

The First Book of Mezzo-Soprano/Alto Solos – Part II

Easy Songs for the Beginning Mezzo-Soprano/Alto (Book & CD)

Folk Songs for Solo Singers – Medium Low Voice – Vol. 1 – Bk+CD

Folk Songs for Solo Singers – Vol. 2 – Medium Low Voice – Bk+CD

12 Folk Songs for Solo Singers: Arranged for Solo Voice and Piano for Recitals, Concerts, and Contests (Medium Low Voice)

I’d love to hear your feedback on your experience with these solo vocal book recommendations or any beginning vocal books you enjoy.