Books for choir leaders
Are you the leader of a choir or vocal group? Or are you simply curious to learn more about contemporary music direction, warm-ups, vocal technique, beatboxing, improvisation, and phrasing?
You may just find inspiration in Ørehænger’s handbooks …
MODERN VOCAL MUSIC
… is an inspiration handbook for you who work with contemporary vocal music.
Here you will find ideas, solutions, and a generous array of concrete exercises that you can use in your work, regardless of where you teach vocalists. The content is suitable for singers on most levels and of most ages. And if you are a vocalist yourself, you may especially enjoy the chapter on warm-ups.
We have worked intensely on the guide’s practicality by curbing lengthy explanations and upping the number of ready-for-use exercises. On top of 100+ songs, games, and exercises, our book offers a number of “cheat sheets” with tips for problem solving, a concepts toolbox you can turn to for quick review, and a series of case stories.
The handbook is divided into 6 chapters:
Preparation
Warm-ups
Study Methods
Games & Ice Breakers
Communication
Vocal Development
Released on Gule Plader / Kier Music in 2013
Parles-tu français?
Order the French version of the book “La Dynamique du Chœur” from our great collaborators at Cepravoi.
Product info:
English language
120 pages
6 inspiring chapters: Preparation, Warm-Ups, Study Methods, Games & Icebreakers, Communication, and Vocal Development.
More than 100 practical exercises - ready for use.
Many (and funny) illustrations and models
Tips for problem solving
Tips for the pianist
VOCAL IMPROVISATION & INTERPRETATION
Product info:
Available in English or Danish language
A4 format, 78 pages
7 inspiring chapters: Getting Started, Rhythm & Timing, Imitation, Timbre & Dynamics, Emotional Connection, Scales, and Different Genres.
66 exercises and songs - ready for use
Free access to audio files
Fun illustrations and models
Tips & tricks for group line-ups, problem solving, using solfége, and much more …
… (in Danish “Vokal Improvisation og Fortolkning”) is a handbook for choirs and choir leaders who are curious to work on phrasing and improvisation with their groups. The purpose of the book is to inspire vocalists to continue to explore and develop their individual instruments and musicianship as well as bring awareness to each singer’s contribution to the sound and style of the group.
The book contains more than 50 simple exercises that will give you a jump start into the process of vocal self exploration. We hope that it will bring joy and development to many choirs and vocal groups.
“Vocal Improvisation & Interpretation” is divided into 7 chapters:
Getting Started
Rhythm & Timing
Imitation
Timbre & Dynamics
Emotional Connection
Scales
Different Genres
CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE FORMAT
“Vocal Improvisation & Interpretation” comes in 2 versions:
physical book in A4 format, spiral bound with plastic cover
e-book (PDF download)
Both include access to online recordings of the exercises and songs included in the book.
10 VOKAL-BEATS
Product info:
Danish language
64 pages
5 chapters: Del 1. Om vokalpercussion, Del 2. Lydene, Del 3. Tips & vejrtrækning, Del 4. 10 vokal-beats, Del 5. Lav dine egne beats
65 audio tracks - individual sounds, practice tracks in varies tempos, 10 examples of vocal beats in a musical context
Illustrations and models
From the preface:
”10 vokal-beats” er skrevet til dig, som vil udforske eller undervise i vokalpercussion – hvad enten det er som solist, i et kor eller i en vokalgruppe. Det er en håndbog både for absolutte nybegyndere og for dem, der har beskæftiget sig med emnet før og nu ønsker at fordybe sig yderligere.
Det er min oplevelse, at der indenfor den rytmiske vokalmusik er en stigende interesse for både groove og alternative måder at bruge stemmen på, og det har givet mig lyst til at skrive denne håndbog, hvori jeg præsenterer nogle af de mange lyde, rytmer og idéer, jeg er stødt på i tidens løb.
Håndbogen har til formål at inspirere dig, der selv vil sammensætte dine lyde og rytmer, og den kan med fordel læses ”på den lange led”.
Men den er også brugbar som et opslagsværk for dig, som ønsker færdige, nedskrevne vokal-beats indenfor en række musikalske genrer til øjeblikkelig brug på dit repertoire.
Undervejs kommer jeg omkring teknikker til bl.a. vejrtrækning, et bredt udvalg af vokalpercussion-lyde, ”filtre”, tips til brug af mikrofon, eksempler på 10 enkle vokal-beats indenfor forskellige stilarter og endelig inspiration til sammensætning af dine egne beats.
Med håndbogen følger audiofiler, hvor alle lydene og de 10 vokal-beats bliver præsenteret og sat ind i en musikalsk kontekst. Hold øje med øre-ikonet.
… is a Danish language handbook for anyone who is curious to learn about or teach vocal percussion (or beat boxing) - whether it is as a solo performer, in a choir, or with a vocal group. It can be used by absolute beginners as well as anyone who has previous experience with the topic and now wants to dig a little deeper into new techniques..
The purpose of the book is to inspire anyone who wants to come up with their own vocal sounds and create their personal beats. It can be read from cover to cover or be utilized as a reference book, if you are looking for ready-to-use, written-down vocal grooves in various genres that you can apply directly to your repertoire.
The book teaches breathing techniques, a wide selection of percussive sounds, “filters”, tips for the use of microphones, examples of 10 simple vocal beats, and finally ideas on how to assemble your own beats.
E-BOOK + AUDIO FILES
“10 vokal-beats” comes as an e-book (PDF format) that includes an audio package (mp3’s) where all the different sounds and the 10 ready beats are presented and put into a musical context.
Released on Corona Music in 2005
Are you considering taking your choir directing skills to the next level?
The RAMA Vocal Center in Aalborg, Denmark offers regular Academy programmes at BMus, MMus, and soloist level, postgraduate studies in the form of professional Master's programmes, and various inspirational courses, master classes, etc.
Malene Rigtrup is one of the four primary members of the RAMA faculty.
“Musikkens Hus” in Aalborg, Denmark - home to the RAMA Vocal Center.