People who have been singing for any length of time have experienced the frustration of other musicians not wanting to work with them. While a singer puts just as much work into preparing a performance (and often, organizing the event itself), it’s the accompanist who gets relatively high guaranteed payment. Part of the reason musicians bristle at working with singers is that, since the voice is naturally a “solo instrument,” there just isn’t any music that includes solo singers but doesn’t highlight them.
But the bigger reasons instrumentalists don’t like to play with singers is because they’re usually picking up your slack. In other words, you get to play the prima donna while they do the heavy lifting. Unfortunately, this stereotype about singers is often accurate – a lot of the singers I know (even pros) have trouble with counting, stylistic performance, diction, interpretation, and even pitch.
It’s really important for singers to become highly proficient musicians, not only to garner professional respect, but also to do justice to the music we perform. It’s easy not to understand the point of subjects like piano proficiency, ear training, music theory, music history, and sight-singing. But remember, as a child, you probably didn’t understand the point of arithmetic either. It’s only after learning about these subjects that you’ll begin to see their value.
MusicTheory.net
MusicTheory.net offers music theory lessons for beginning and intermediate students totally free of charge. This site starts at the very beginning, so it’s great whether you’re just starting out or would like a refresher as you prepare to learn more advanced material.
G Major Music Theory
G Major Music Theory provides downloadable worksheets for beginning and lower intermediate students. They’re good for self study or for work with a teacher. They do assume you’re working with a piano (which you should be anyway!).
eMusicTheory
eMusicTheory is also a great resource for worksheets and interactive drills. It’s free for students and also provides links to additional resources on theory.
Amazon Music Theory Products*
I’m including books here at a variety of price points, but be aware that the more expensive ones are textbooks, and are often more suitable for serious learners.
Essentials of Music
A summary history of western classical music, from the Middle Ages to the present.
Music and History
This web site does the really important job of tying music history together with regular history. I love this idea because art is always a product of the attitudes, values, and world view of the time and culture in which it is created. The only drawback is that it starts in the 18th century. I wish it would include earlier history too!
This Day in Music History
Although not a tool for serious study, I love this web site that shows events in the history of music that took place on today’s date.
Norton’s History of Western Music*
Norton’s History of Western Music has been the canonical work on western music history for many, many years. I’m hesitant to even offer links on this site to other books, because this one is just so good. Having spent six years in college, I can say with authority that this is the only textbook I was ever forced to buy that ended up actually being thoroughly worth the money. It does a great job of showing important musical events and composers in the context of a history of western civilization.
I’m including here the main textbook as well as the two volumes of scores and recordings. All are must-haves for anyone who’s even thinking of becoming a serious musician. Also, this is one where it’s actually worth it to get the current edition. You’d be surprised how much history changes.
Other Books on Music History*
Here are some more music history books. Before buying them please instead consider investing in the Norton music history books above. I can’t recommend any books over those.
More Resources on Sight-Singing, Ear Training, and Musicianship
These books and CDs will help you learn to recognize intervals by ear, read music without playing it on an instrument, and other essential elements of musicianship.
*Please order Amazon products through my web site so I get a commission for your purchases!