Editorial Reviews:

Product Description

This book is perfect for the aspiring rock singer that needs improvement, but cannot or will not take lessons. It is a thorough, yet easy-to-understand presentation of the basic elements of singing, including vocal production, training, breathing, posture and diet. Written in a down-to-earth style, the author addresses such relevant topics as overcoming nervousness, dealing with emotions, and the true consequences of coffee, alcohol & smoking. Includes useful illustrations and diagrams.

The only book a hobbiest singer needs. October 22, 2008
Dave Matney (Midvale, Utah United States)
This book, the Rock N Roll Singer’s Survival Manual, saved my voice with the techniques it describes. It explains, in layman’s terms, everything from chest, head, and falsetto voices to screaming “properly,” how to quickly recover from a cold or quit smoking, and what to eat the day of a performance / recording

For six bucks used, I can’t stress enough that it’s worth it to anyone that sings more than just in the shower or car.

Results May 15, 2008
Christian L. Winchell (Greenville, NC)
I recently purchased this book and so far is the only vocal training book I own.
First, the book does sport some pretty big font; probably could have scaled down the font and saved a few trees.
Second, this book did give an extremly detailed anatomy lesson on the throat, lungs, diaphram, and mouth. I presonally found it interesting, but I doubt many other “rock” singers would feel the same way.
That aside, I found the rest of the book EXTREMLY helpful.
Mark goes into discussing all the things that can hurt your voice; everything from milk to cigarette smoke, etc… While most of us already knew these things, it was nice to find out what these things do specifically to your voice. He also stresses the concept of breathing correctly, something I did not really think about before.
Lastly, the vocal exercises and warm ups were excellent. Although brief, the exercises really do work. In about 3 weeks I managed to nearly bridge the gap with my falsetto, my voice lasts WAY longer than before,
I’ve added about 3 or 4 notes to my register, and I no longer suffer from pressure headaches and blowouts anymore. I now feel relaxed when I sing and not bottled up.
If you want to learn how to sing better and smarter, BUY THIS BOOK

Don’t judge a book by its cover March 18, 2008
Chen Sun (Houston, TX United States)
It’s true, the typography and layout are weak, and the book looks amateurish. But it’s some of the best information on how the voice works I’ve read. There were lots of vocal and singing activities I never understand, and this book explains these clearly. I learned a lot–which is rare for singers books for me.

I think some of the commentators here didn’t like this book because–it had lots of physiology, sound production, etc.. And, perhaps these commentators were wanting pitch improvement techniques. The author discuss this at a later chapter, titled “Perfect Pitch”. He basically says, make sure that the physiology and sound production characteristics of the vocal producing mechanism is produced, and then one will have better pitch. I agree.

The challenge remains that people’s physiology are so different, such that one has to take this author’s writings and figure out how to apply it for yourself.

Then, the author gives some vocal exercises. Perhaps these are the exercises some commentators are referring to as the valuable part of the book. The explanation of the physiology and sound production mechanism is the valuable part… once one understands this, the rest comes much easier.

Some commentators also critiqued the book on its drawn charts and diagrams–done by the author instead of a graphics artist, and in early 90s. True, not the most professional looking diagrams. But I’m impressed that the author could write a book incorporating physiology, vocal techniques, apply these toward rock and roll, and be a fairly good graphics artist simultaneously. Obviously, an intelligent vocal instructor. If I was to choose a vocal instructor, I’d go with this author.

Better than expected February 8, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I was supprised with this book. It was recomended to me by a friend and I wasn’t sure that a book on singing would be useful. I was wrong. If you are serious about singing or just starting out you definately need to have this book. This book does not take the place of a voice teacher but is full of good info.

Dont Bother September 14, 2007
Lynn (Apex, NC United States)
GOes into all the anotamy of the body.Then taking care of your voice.No milk,smoking etc.No info on ACTUALLY HOW TO SING.WHere do people get off taking peoples money for garbage like this?Too bad there isn’t a minus star thats what i would give

Editorial Reviews:

Album Description

Harmony Singing By Ear: A step by step approach for learning how to sing harmonies above and below a melody. Three CDs totaling three 1/2 hours of instructional narrative, fully produced music tracks and guide vocals. One, two or more singers can learn two and three-part harmony singing. Vocal coach Susan Anders has successfully used these methods for over twenty years with pop, R&B, folk, rock and country singers.Harmony Singing By Ear uses two complementary methods to teach singers how to harmonize by ear. After reviewing some music theory basics, instructional sections walk you through how to find the upper and lower harmony parts for eight songs. Those same harmonies are sung on fully produced music tracks. On these tracks the vocal parts are panned to different speakers–singers can pan to one speaker and just hear their part, pan to the middle and hear both parts, or pan to the other speaker to practice with one or two other parts. In this way, beginning harmonizers can control how much or how little of the other voices they hear, making it easier to stay on their part. More confident harmonizers can sing without the guide vocals. Singers who simply want to learn and sing the harmony parts can skip the instructional tracks, go right to the music tracks, and pan their speakers to the right to learn the harmony part for each song.

Though much of Harmony Singing By Ear focuses on the how-tos of parallel harmonizing above and below a melody, singers will also learn about call-response, blue note, chromatic and block chord harmonies. Music tracks without vocals are also included so singers can practice their parts “without the training wheels”. Plus, there’s a supplementary section of exercises to build one’s harmonizing skills. The songs range in style from pop to R&B to folk to modern rock to jazz.

Effective, Well Organized January 6, 2009
R. D. (USA)
This is very easy to follow and understand. Anybody interested in harmony singing should benefit from this

Awesome job. Exactly what I was looking for. October 22, 2008
Myriam Balthazar (CARIBBEAN, F.W.I Martinique)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Received the pack 3 days ago; People stare at me singing in traffic jams!
Harmony, something I had wished to be able to master, for years; here I am now!
If you intend to improve your singing abilities harmonizing with others, buy this pack.
Will put you in tracks within a few hours.

Great teacher! October 4, 2008
A reader (San Diego, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a great way to learn about and practice harmony singing. I have always had a fascination with how good harmonies make a song so much better, and wanted to learn how to do it without spending a ton of money, or trying to get other singers who were just as clueless to practice with me.

The author clearly lays out how to approach hearing the harmonies and some basic theory. The most valuable part is the practice songs, of which there are many on this 3 CD set. Being able to pan the balance to either side to hear the main vocal or the harmony vocal, and practice along with it is a great way to develop your ear and “feel” for the right pitch. It also makes commuting unbelievably fun!

Harmony singing February 18, 2008
William J. Devore (hayward, ca USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I like the songs on this CD and enjoy playing it while working in the kitchen for vocal practice. I would compare the approach on the CD to learning a language conversationally–there is only a little theory and you learn by copying. It’s good as far as it goes, but I’d like to get more theory.

Brought the joy of harmony singing to my life! November 11, 2007
Karena Jane
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

If you are a frustrated, wannabe harmony singer who is tired of hearing other people harmonize with what appears to be no effort, this CD will change your life. Other instructional CDs and books might have better graphic design or slick cover art, but this CD actually delivers.

Here’s the key (no pun intended): listen to all of the included CDs, but listen to the first CD over and over and over again until it sinks in. I kept this CD in my car and would sing along with it every time I drove somewhere — even to the grocery store. Then, I might put it away for a month or two…and pull it out and start all over again. I don’t have a lick of musical training, but Susan’s gentle, common sense approach is perfect for a beginner. After listening to Susan’s CD multiple times, I moved on to regular music CDs that already had harmony backup singers. I listened to their parts, learned them as best I could and sang along. Eventually, I got to a point where I never even bothered to really “learn” the melody. I would just listen for the harmony. Finally, I reached my goal of being able to find the harmony (on my own) and sing along with my better half, Ben Bedford, who writes beautiful Americana/folk songs.

What started out as a strong desire to simply to sing along in the living room has evolved into so much more. In fact, with assistance from Nashville singer-songwriter, Sally Barris, I sang harmony on Ben’s most recent CD. [...] I sing harmony on the songs “Harley Albright” and “Virginia Girls.” His CD was recorded in Nashville a year ago — and I feel like I am even more prepared for the next one! I’ve also started singing live with him when he performs — something I didn’t think I would ever feel comfortable doing.

Thanks for putting out a great product!