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The Free Voice: A Guide to Natural Singing Anniversary Edition

by Cornelius L. Reid (Author), George Shirley (Contributor)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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Great vocal teachers from the 16th century through the early 19th century discovered through trial and error how to properly develop the singing voice, and the term bel canto came to be applied to both the manner of singing and the vocal music of that period. But by 1858, according to Rossini, the term was already being misused and wrongly confused with fioriture. Well-schooled in the teaching of singing, Rossini more accurately describes bel canto as being composed of: the building of the instrument; technique, or the means of using the instrument; and style, of which the ingredients are taste and feeling.

In this 50th anniversary edition of The Free Voice, renowned vocal pedagogue Cornelius L. Reid articulates the teaching principles of his own school of functional vocal training, grounded firmly in the old principles while remaining in line with a modern understanding of the physical value of the vocal instrument. The muscles that move the vocal folds and the vocal folds themselves are involuntary, and as such, the singing voice is not an instrument that can be manipulated directly. Reid's approach to singing is one of indirect control, stemming from an understanding of the vocal registers and how specific patterns of pitch, intensity, and vowel affect the vocal folds. Through the vocal exercises outlined in this book, and catered to each individual, a poorly coordinated musculature can be brought to efficiency. Only when the musculature of the vocal mechanism is well-balanced and coordinated can the voice be free, and the natural beauty and resonance of the individual voice come through without force.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0190683910
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0190683917
  3. Edition
    Anniversary
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    July 16, 2018
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    9.1 x 0.6 x 6.1 inches
  8. Print length
    232 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mr. Reid's technical concepts and methods of bel canto singing and healthy vocal production have been the foundation of my own work as a performer. His technique has sustained my vocal health over the thirty-plus years of my career, and it continues to inform the way I teach my students today." -- Grant Youngblood, Baritone

"Cornelius Reid's advocacy of vocal health is based on a simple but solid foundation: the play of opposing forces within the vocal mechanism. The Free Voice abounds in probing insights and constructive advice of use to all enterprising singers. A joy to read and re-read!" -- Pedro de Alcantara, musician and author, Visiting Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow

About the Author

Cornelius L. Reid (1911-2008) began his studies in music at Trinity Church Choir School in New York City as a boy soprano in 1920. His teaching career began as assistant to Dr. Douglas Stanley from 1934 to 1937. From that point on, he developed his own school of functional vocal training based on Italian methods of the pre-scientific era, combined with insights afforded by modern concepts of physiology, acoustics, and psychology.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; Anniversary edition (July 16, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 232 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0190683910
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0190683917
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.1 x 0.6 x 6.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
33 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kian Freitas
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best!
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2010
Verified Purchase
This book povides concrete explanations of the function of the vocal mechanism, based on teachings that go back 200 years to Garcia. Reid's discussion of "functional freedom" and how (and how not) to attain it is invaluable to a singer or teacher who wishes to reach his or her full potential. In today's climate of casting young singers without regard for longevity or potential, I can't recommend this book highly enough. It reaffirms the importance of building a solid and thorough foundation, cultivated without the
distraction of needing to sound pretty each step of the way. As a singer who sounded pretty, but was completely without any understanding of technique, I struggled with an inconsistent and unpredictable "natural" voice. Having worked with a teacher from this same lineage (and studied for a time with Reid), who understands the basic principles in this book, and how to apply them, has completely transformed my voice. I sing with greater ease and infinitely more power, in addition to having developed a full 5th on the top of my range (I have switched from baritone to tenor rep). While applying the principles most effectively requires the ear of a teacher (one whose ear is trained to hear healthy function, not just pleasing tone!), this book is a tremendously useful tool for anyone who wishes to understand the inner workings of the process through which we sing.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Need all the others!
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
Fantastic book for singers
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KingFerouk
5.0 out of 5 stars Great experience all around.
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
Great book. Awesome service from the seller great experience all around.
One person found this helpful
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Loretta M. Siani
5.0 out of 5 stars The Free Voice
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2011
Verified Purchase
If you are a serious vocalist interested in the mechanics as well as the metaphysics of voice this book was written for you.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Lower price available direct from publisher
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2008
This item is available for only $14.95 from [...] A store in New York City. So there is no need to pay a higher price...just wanted to pass that along to anyone wanting to purchase this and save some money
8 people found this helpful
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A. Radford
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and concise
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2007
I found this book to be a clear and consise contribution to the nature of singing. Sure it is a minority view but an increasingly popular one in my opinion. The author is still teaching so the past tense in the last review whether intended or not, is factually incorrect. For the lay reader you have to put the work in to get something out of this book. Try taking notes. Oh and 12.95 for the paperback most places.
One person found this helpful
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Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect companion guide to the voice
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2000
In college, the gentleman I studied voice with was one of Reid's students. He mentioned three books that were to become my vocal bibles: Voice: Psyche and Soma, Bell Canto, and The Free Voice. From the moment I purchased these books, my whole outlook on singing changed--and for the better. Suddenly, everything fell into place for me. I finally understood why people like Pavarotti were in a small select group of singers; they didn't learn to sing overnight by pushing their voices through pieces they couldn't handle.
The Free Voice isn't going to teach you how to sing, but it will help you understand how the voice works. I would suggest if you are searching for a voice teacher, you read this book first and then 'audition' teachers based on what this book has to say. If the teacher is against the theories and methods of this book, they obviously don't know what they are doing and you should move on.
All of the knowledge contained in this book was written by a man who never made it to the sixth grade and who doesn't sing (I got this info from his student, my teacher). Reid is a genius.
13 people found this helpful
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danland
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for all singers and teachers
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
The concepts in this book are groundbreaking. All singing teachers would be worth the time and effort of their students if they would follow the guidance found here. As a singer, I found the ideas and methods presented to be a revelation for my practice and performance. The discourse relates in a fairly easy to follow manner, and inspires with each chapter. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book to all singers and singing teachers.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

As It Is
5.0 out of 5 stars The One book that a singer needs.
Reviewed in India on July 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book cuts the process of singing down to it's most basic practical principles - the bare essentials. Frighteningly simple for some :D
For quickest results, apply them with the help of someone with a discerning ear and familiarity with the basic principles outlined in this book.
The Free Voice can lead you to your full creative potential as a singer by teaching you how to access to your functionally free voice.
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