What do we consider pop singing in modern culture?
It is not easy to answer this question, since there are no clear criteria, a single school or aesthetic views. Some consider pop any singing that is not related to academic vocals, including country. Others consider as pop singing everything that is performed in the aesthetics of light music, including chamber forms of academic vocals.
Still others consider pop singing only that which arose on the basis of the blues culture. The variety of styles and directions, far from each other in terms of sound production and musical language, did not allow, and are unlikely to allow in the future, to form a single school of teaching pop singing. It should be noted that pop singing is a synthetic art that combines numerous ethnic cultures and professional singing tradition. Aesthetically, pop vocals grew out of the everyday singing of various linguistic cultures, and the birth of jazz and mass entertainment culture at the beginning of the 20th century served as an impetus for its professionalization and entering the big stage. In view of the huge variety of forms, it is very difficult to generalize about pop singing, but nevertheless we will try to highlight the main points, limiting ourselves to the concept of professional singing, excluding non-traditional methods.
1. Unlike ethnic (folk) singing, which exists almost unchanged, pop vocals are enriched with professional singing traditions, expressed in ennobled sound, the use of mixed sound extraction, an extended range, etc.
2. In almost all forms of pop singing widespread in the world, one can feel the influence of African American culture, the blues, expressed in phrasing, swing, the use of techniques and touches of jazz music, its improvisation. In some cultures, there are samples, at first glance, far from jazz (such as oriental music or singing of the Soviet stage), but even in them you can see elements borrowed from the blues, jazz culture.
3. The third and, perhaps, the main difference, say, from academic singing, is the attitude to the word, speech.
Variety singing is characterized by a combination of vocalization and speech intonations as equal means of expression.
In pop vocals, the intonation of speech, the rhythm of speech, dominate over the musical phrase. This does not mean that the musical phrase, vocalization is not important in pop singing, just speech intonation plays a more significant role as an expressive means. Preservation of the speech coloring of the voice even with a fixed vocal sound is a distinctive feature of pop vocals.
The technique of pop singing is not as unambiguous as the technique of academic vocals. Variety singing as a professional art undoubtedly requires mastering the voice and, consequently, mastering the vocal technique. The concept of "delivered voice" is not related to the genre in which the singer works. The basic concepts of pop singing methodology largely coincide with academic vocals. This is easily explained by the unified physiology of the vocal apparatus.
It is this moment that misleads many, and sometimes one can hear statements that in order for a pop singer to sing well, he needs to practice academic vocals. History knew many examples when some singers managed to combine pop and academic singing, but this is rather an exception to the rule. Despite the general physiology of sound formation, the mode of operation of the vocal apparatus in pop and academic singers is significantly different. The academic vocal school is inseparable from the aesthetics of operatic singing. In pop vocals, there has never been a single aesthetics in sound production and voice leading. 
For a pop jazz vocalist, it is not enough just to have a technical command of the voice; in addition, it is required to possess the peculiarities of the manner, musical phrasing, characteristic of a particular musical direction. The manner of singing often dominates the vocality of the voice, and some techniques even come into conflict with the basics of vocal technique. The manner of singing as a set of techniques is closely related to the musical style in which it was born and developed.
Pop vocal is a collective term that includes a huge variety of genres and styles, mainly song styles from blues and rock and roll to the current Chaotic and TranceCore. Often pop music was called "light" (even in the case of hard-n-heavy), but in our case it is not so. Stevie Wonder's vocals and his music cannot be called easy.
There are significant differences between pop vocals and classical (academic):
- Firstly, pop vocal includes not only the technical techniques of classical and folk vocals, but also specific techniques that are unique to him;
- Secondly, the goals and objectives of a pop vocalist are the search for "his" unique sound, the disclosure of a unique personal vocal, the definition of an original, perhaps even a unique manner of singing in order to most effectively convey the main idea of the song to the listener;
- Thirdly, this type of vocal requires a clear diction that can convey the meaning of the words of the song, as well as the ability to quickly change the rhythm of breathing and “sing out” complex phrases;
The main techniques of pop vocals:
- Split;
- Drive (growling, roaring, hoarse voice, death vocals, etc.);
- Overtone ("throat") singing;
- subtone;
- Glissando ("slide");
- Falsetto;
- Jodl ("Tyrolean singing");
- Strobas;
Each technique has its own characteristics, and to comprehend them, specific exercises are needed that only a professional can give.
Why should training in pop vocals be entrusted to the Krasny Khimik school?
In the legendary School of Rock Music "Red Khimik" vocal training is conducted by professional teachers in specialized rooms equipped with the necessary modern technology.
Many of our graduates, after studying vocal courses, enter secondary and higher musical educational institutions at vocal faculties. We help not only to raise your professional level, but also prepare students for independent concert and studio work.
The cost of training per month is 9,000 rubles: these are 4 lessons of practical vocals and 4 lessons of music theory and solfeggio. Classes are held both individually and in groups. You get one practical lesson as a gift when you pay for the first month.
Want to try?
Yes I want to!
Our graduates
soloist of the group "Slot"
Daria Stavrovich (Nuki) was born in the family of a teacher and a doctor on February 1, 1986 (Velsk, Arkhangelsk region). Daria graduated from the school in Arzamas, after which she entered the Nizhny Novgorod Music College. Upon arrival in Moscow, Stavrovich graduated from the Krasny Khimik vocal school, where Arnold Manukyan taught her lessons.
Alina Perova was born on March 15, 1982 in Nizhny Novgorod. Alina connected her entire conscious life with music, considering the stage a kind of drug. Constantly working on herself and her skills, Alina moved to Moscow, where she continued her studies. One of the institutions where Alina took vocal lessons was the Krasny Khimik school. Her teacher was Arnold Manukyan.
For best results, it is advisable to attend classes twice a week. Does not work? You can do it once a week, then the terms are stretched. Before an important event, the number of visits to vocal lessons can be increased.
I have no hearing and voice, pop vocals are not for me?
How long does it take for me to learn to sing well?
The answer depends on many factors: what kind of natural data you have, whether you have musical experience, education, how often and what kind of music you listen to, how quickly you “grasp” information, whether you sing at home, in karaoke, etc. It's better to come for a trial lesson. The teacher will analyze the source data and more accurately answer this question.
What will you learn in pop vocal courses?
Hit the notes, the rhythm;
Correct singing breathing;
Remove the clamps and fears;
Learn to sing to the "backing track";
use a microphone;
Stage embodiment of the song image;
Master various vocal techniques (subtone, strobas, vibrato, falsetto, mixed, belting ...);
Find your style of performance;
Explore different styles and genres.
Where are the pop vocal lessons held?
Pop vocal is a direction associated with the performance of works into a microphone with sound amplifying equipment, so the lessons are held in classrooms equipped with all the necessary modern equipment (mixers, speakers, microphones).
How are the pop vocal lessons going?
The studio is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, so you can attend classes whenever it suits you. We create a schedule based on your wishes. You can either fix certain days and times, or create a “floating” schedule.
Every three months we have reporting concerts. If you wish, you can perform on stage and demonstrate your skills in front of an audience.
Who conducts pop vocal classes?
All teachers of our vocal studio have higher vocal education from the best universities in the country, stage experience and teaching experience working with children and adults with different levels of ability.
Teachers use in their lessons the world's Russian and foreign methods, as well as their own developments.
Teachers constantly improve their skills by attending various seminars and master classes, as well as taking part in competitions of various sizes.
How to start doing pop vocals?
To start learning pop vocals, sign up for a 60-minute trial lesson. You will get to know the teacher, ask various questions, and you will be able to understand how the teacher and his methodology suits you.
Vocal is a kind of musical performance, the mastery of a singing voice. Vocal is divided into different types depending on its style, techniques used, as well as the nature of the interaction of the performers.
Variety of vocal techniques
Depending on how many people and how exactly they participate in the vocal performance of the work, such types of vocals are divided as:
- solo singing (single);
- ensemble singing (from two to 10 people, usually performing different parts);
- choral singing (from 5-7 to several dozen people, some of whom lead identical parts).
As for the classification of vocals depending on the style and technique of performance, 11 main directions can be distinguished.
Main vocal styles
Classical (academic) singing
Characteristic for opera and operetta, musicals, romances. The traditions of this direction were laid back in the 16th century - from that time to the present, classical performance implies a high vocal position and a high dome, the most voluminous sound of an impeccably clear voice. Sound forcing, noise and wheezing are completely or partially excluded.
jazz vocals
As a result of the fusion of colorful African rhythms and musical traditions inherent in European countries, this style appeared in the USA at the end of the 19th century. He is characterized by a rich and strong voice, capable of reproducing very rich sounds, varying tonalities, using imitation techniques and maximum improvisation.
pop singing
This direction is distinguished by a focus on the mass consumer. Hence the texts that are understandable in meaning without any deep philosophy, a simple and memorable manner of performance, the use of repetitive verses. Today, pop vocals are closely intertwined with other styles - rap, folk, rock, etc.
Folk singing
It is impossible to describe exactly what the vocals of this direction are, since each specific manifestation of ethnic singing is something special. However, we can say that in most cases the genre is characterized by singing on the ligaments and a flat palate.
A separate niche of folk performance includes throat singing, which involves the masterful use of the capabilities of not only the ligaments, but also the throat itself. A striking example is the tradition of throat singing in Irish culture.
Genres of African American culture
- Rap. A very sustained rhythmic recitative, which is played under a music track with a heavy beat.
- Hip-hop. Combining rap with a DJ dictated musical rhythm.
- Contemporary rhythm and blues ("R&B"). This is a soft and juicy performance against the background of smoothed electronic rhythms. A much more delicate, lyrical genre than previous vocal techniques.
- Soul. As follows from the name of the genre (from the English "soul" - soul), this style of vocals involves a very penetrating emotional performance of compositions. For this, the best techniques of jazz singing and spirituals (spiritual songs of African Americans) are used.
extreme vocals
- Growling. A very unusual style, which is based on a kind of imitation of an animal roar. It also requires a very strong technical background.
- Screaming. No less vivid genre, expressed in a shrill or hoarse cry. It requires a very high tessitura, and therefore is more typical for male vocalists.
Vocalist(from the Latin words vox - "voice" and vocalis - "sounding") - a musical profession, a role in a musical group, involves the performance of various vocal parts.
Now, the term vocalist almost coincides with the term singer, but in modern pop music it is interpreted somewhat more broadly, in particular, implying the possibility of recitation, recitative, etc.
A singer is someone who sings. Performer of vocal music: songs, romances, arias, choirs, singles, etc. A musician who performs music on a musical instrument, which is his own voice. The singer is the most common type of vocalist.
Lead vocalist - a member of a musical group, performing mainly the main vocal parts.
A backing vocalist is a member of a musical group who performs additional, harmonic vocal parts (a kind of backing vocals).
singing voices
There are various systems for classifying voices (and singers, respectively). Some of them take into account the power of the voice, that is, how loud the singer can sing. Others - how mobile, virtuoso, distinct the singer's voice is. Still others include non-musical characteristics, such as appearance, acting ability, etc.
Most often, a classification is used that takes into account the range of the voice and the gender of the singer. Even guided only by these two criteria, many varieties are obtained:
Female voices:
- soprano - high female voice
- mezzo-soprano - medium female voice
- contralto - a low female voice (in choral music it is customary to call it simply alto)
Male voices:
- tenor - high male voice
- baritone - medium male voice
- bass - low male voice
Other vocal varieties are coloratura soprano, dramatic tenor, bass-baritone, bass profundo. There is even a category of male singers who sing in the range of a female voice. This type of voice is rare, but still used today, mainly in opera. In baroque music, many roles were written for castrati, male singers who had been castrated as children to prevent mutation and to maintain a high, female-like voice. In modern vocal performance, these roles can be performed by a singer who owns a developed falsetto singing technique. Singers of this type are called countertenors (aka male alto).
Where to learn to sing?
The question is undoubtedly quite general: the fact is that some are interested, for example, in jazz improvisation, while others are quite confident in karaoke, etc.
Classification of vocals according to the manner of performance
Academic vocal (classical, operatic)
Academic vocal - old classical vocal school. Academic singers sing in the opera, in the academic choir, chapel, with a symphony orchestra, as well as in the genre of chamber vocal music. Academic vocals differ from pop, jazz and rock vocals in their strictly classical position. Academic vocals do not involve singing into a microphone. In academic vocals, there are certain frameworks developed by the experience and history of vocal music. These limits, as a rule, do not allow the academic singer to use his voice in other vocal directions. With experience, an academic singer develops a certain vocal position, thanks to which the voice becomes very strong and acquires a large volume. However, in rare cases, academics can perform in other vocal genres if they can facilitate the presentation of the sound.
pop vocal
Pop vocal - pop singing combines many song directions, unites the entire palette of vocal art. Pop vocal, first of all, means singing from the stage, but the concept of pop vocal, as a rule, is associated with light and understandable music. In pop vocals, you can hear both folk motives and elements of jazz, it is also an author's song and elements of rock music. Pop vocals differ from academic vocals in a more open and more natural sound. However, singing skills, correct position and sound support are just as necessary in pop vocals as in academic ones.
jazz vocals
Jazz vocals - first of all, implies an ideal sense of rhythm and harmony, as well as the mobility of the voice and the ability to improvise. In jazz singing, it is necessary to feel the form of the work, to be able to present your understanding of the melodic theme, modifying it, but without leaving the necessary harmony. Just as important is the sensitive partnership of musicians, the ability to improvise on the go.
rock vocals
Rock vocals are usually the singing of a vocalist in a rock band. Rock vocals differ from jazz singing in a more emotional presentation. Rock vocals suggest more semantic load than vocal. However, a rock vocalist needs to have serious vocal training. A rock vocalist must also have courage and complete freedom in an emotional and musical sense.
Folk singing or ethnic singing
Folk singing, ethnic singing, as follows from the term itself, is singing that has existed since the appearance of man, and is distinguished by characteristic features characteristic of a particular nationality, ethnic group. Echoes of the folk tradition can be found both in the academic (classical) musical culture and in pop (urban) musical culture. In general, folk singing is characterized by a flat sky, singing on ligaments.
The so-called throat singing is a kind of folk singing, in which the singer, while singing, uses not only the ligaments, but the throat itself, the resonating cavities of the mouth, larynx, due to which the overtones of the main tone become audible.
At the same time, the basis of everything is precisely the academic production of vocals: it gives freedom of voice control.
At the same time, the transition of the “jazz to academic” type can become a real break for the singer, which is why it is advisable to immediately decide what exactly you want to learn.
It is important to understand that it is impossible to teach professional singing in 2-3 months, even for people with a natural voice and perfect pitch.
In the case of academic vocals, the first year you will have to sing only exercises, vocalizations (singing without words - in “oh-oh-oh” or “ah-ah-ah”) and simple songs.
Then you can gradually move on to romances and simple arias. It's not that the science of singing is based on some technique available to the elite. In fact, you can tell how to sing correctly in half an hour, everything else is a matter of training.
In that sense, singing is like a sport. Depending on the natural abilities, it will turn out a little faster or a little slower, but in any case, hard training is needed. Vocal lessons are history for several years.
The most common and most correct form of vocal training is individual lessons with a teacher (here we do not touch on the ensemble-choir school - this is a whole separate world).
Finding your own teacher is quite difficult, and even recommendations do not guarantee anything: it is also important to get along purely humanly, because you will have to spend a lot of time together. The manner of teaching is even more than the varieties of vocals, it can be said that each teacher has his own manner.
There is the old academic school, there are former rockers, etc. Of course, one thing unites them: there are no non-singing singing teachers
The past and/or present success of a vocalist on stage is no guarantee that he will teach you how to sing well.
The quality of the singing of the teacher himself does not directly affect the quality of teaching - moreover, the principle of "do as I do" does not work here, because the vocal apparatus is different for everyone (someone has a longer neck, someone has a shorter one).
One will tell you in detail about the structure of the larynx (with drawings and diagrams) and how it should stand up so that the sound is correct. Another will say something about the dome in the mouth, and the third will simply offer to take a cucumber in his mouth.
There are also originals that make you sing various obscene words: and this, it turns out, works very effectively.
