The Practical Singer by Jeffery Norris

The Practical Singer is a volume from performer and long-time Interlochen Center for the Arts voice instructor, Jeffery Norris. 

This 235-page work is the outcome of decades of performance and instructional experiences in the musical and educational fields, emanating from both the stage and the teaching studio. Mr. Norris addresses fundamental, intermediate, and advanced technical aspects of good and healthy singing for vocalists from all genres. Additionally, he shares his considerable insights pertaining to the essentials of artistic development and life lessons he has learned through his 50+ year career as a performer and educator.

For many years, Mr. Norris’ students have asked for a compilation of his ideas based on the materials he has cultivated and presented in his private lessons—and now… IT’S HERE!

Welcome to The Practical Singer.

To give the reader a synopsis of the content within The Practical Singer, below you will find a brief overview of the materials contained in this work. The Practical Singer is divided into two primary sections, the first being a presentation of Vocal Techniques followed by Mr. Norris’ stories—his Lessons Learned.

TECHNIQUE:

In the technical realm, the topics covered are presented in several distinct and progressive categories, as shown below. 

Primary Level:

• Posture For Singing 
• Creating A Relaxed, Neutral Throat      
• Breathing For Singing: (Overview, Basic Physiology Concepts, And Image Inhalation Techniques)
• Breathing For Singing: (Physical Inhalation Techniques)
• Breathing For Singing: (Exhalation Concepts) 
• The Creation of Tongue and Jaw Relaxation
• Singing with a Mushroom—A Breath Support and Relaxation Concept

Secondary Level:

• Johnson Breathing Exercises
• Lower Back Expansion Connections
• Support For the Support – A Whole-Body Engagement Concept
• Vocal Registers – Understanding and Implementation
• Basic Vowel Overview 
• Consonant Development and Usage
• Understanding The Passaggio
• Vowel Modification Understanding and Usage

Advanced Level:

• Resonance Understanding
• Chest Voice: Understanding And Development
• Cultivating A Soft Palate Lift
• Head Voice: Understanding And Development
• Onset / Offset Understanding
• Upper Voice Strategies

Special Needs:

• The Female Belt Voice: Understanding and Development
• Learning To Roll R's
• Vibrato Development
• Pitch Bending – Cultivating Singing in Tune

Vocal Health:

• Cultivating The Speaking Voice 
• Understanding Acid Reflux

Deserving Of Its Own Category:

• Practicing, Fioritura & Memorization – Common Sense Approaches
• Text To Emotion – Bringing our Songs and Performances to Life
• Cultivation Of Musical Singing

LESSONS LEARNED: (Stories and Perspectives garnered from Mr. Norris’ Life)

• FIRST TIMES ... AND SECOND CHANCES: A Lesson Learned
• CREATORS: A Lesson Learned
• MOTIVATION: A Lesson Learned
• THE THIEF OF JOY: A Lesson Learned
• WELL, JEFF…: A Lesson Learned
• EXCELLENCE AND PERFECTION: A Lesson Learned
• REAR-VIEW MIRROR: A Lesson Learned
• MARATHON: A Lesson Learned
• CRITICISM: A Lesson Learned
• SING LIKE YOU’VE ALREADY GOT THE GIG: A Lesson Learned
• TOOTSIE ROLL: A Lesson Learned
• NO STRAIGHT LINES: A Lesson Learned
• FAILURE AND SUCCESS: A Lesson Learned
• NERVES: A Lesson Learned
• HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY: A Lesson Learned
• WATCH YOUR STEP: A Lesson Learned
• THE FREEDOM TO BE INCOMPLETE: A Lesson Learned
• THE RECIPE: A Lesson Learned 
• WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK?: A Lesson Learned
• RTA (Perspective): A Lesson Learned
• WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO RUN OUT ON STAGE: A Lesson Learned.
• WHAT'S LEFT?: A Lesson Learned

It is the hope of Mr. Norris that within the pages of The Practical Singer, the reader would connect with the many technical ideas and life lessons presented and, while doing so, would find a lifetime of fulfilling artistic, musical, and personal experiences!