Page Title
DictionHelper.com™
              your online source of foreign-language diction downloads
Resources for Singers

Articulation exercises:  Good diction and articulation are produced with precision,
not force.  The problem with most "tongue twisters" and other articulation exercises is
that the learning curve is steep:  they are difficult and go quickly, immediately.  Since the
emphasis is on performance, and not learning, mistakes and unnecessary muscular
tension are ingrained early and well.  In contrast, our gentle movement explorations are
based on the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education.  Amazing results!

The Diction Domain:  As you deepen your knowledge and interest in singing, you'll
want to learn IPA, or the International Phonetic Alphabet.  The Diction Domain is a
comprehensive diction site, providing access to IPA transliterations of songs and arias
in every imaginable language, including Klingon!  Search "IPA" on the site, and lots of
resources (books, recordings, games, websites) will come up.  Some sites are created
by linguists, some by singers, and some even have sounds to go with the symbols.  
Begin your research of IPA at The Diction Domain.

Are you on Facebook?  Of course you are!  Become a FAN of DIctionHelper.com
on Facebook!
                        It's also worth signing up for the group:  
           "Vocal Performance Majors Anonymous:  a College/Conservatory Connection."  
    Over 510 schools are represented here.  The group page features photos of university
    opera productions, discussion boards, a list of this season's productions, recordings,
    videos, and a list of singers who should be shot.  They have an excellent "Links"
    section, as well.
           

Need Practice Tips?  Listen to our podcast series, "How to Practice.  Other series
in development:  vocal health, and memorization. Go to our Podcasts page to download
or subscribe.  Also available on iTunes!

The Classical Music Archives:  it's the largest classical music site on the web.  
Download MIDI files, classic recordings of singers and vocal repertoire in mp3format.  A
wonderful, inexpensive resource for interesting recordings.

IPA Source.com:  IPA Source is home for acurate word-for-word translations of
songs and arias in Latin, Italian, German, and French, with International Phonetic
Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions in the user-friendly PDF format.

The Aria Database is a diverse collection of information on over 1000 operatic
arias.  Designed for singers and non-singers alike, the Database includes translations
and aria texts of most arias, as well as a collection of MIDI files of operatic arias and
ensembles.
The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: The Lied and Art Song Texts Page is an
archive is 18,149 texts used in Lieder and other classical Art Songs, as well as in many
choral works and other types of classical vocal  pieces.  The collection currently
includes 28,540 settings and 4,012 translations to English, Italian, Dutch, German,
Spanish, French, and other languages.  The site is updated frequently.

Art Song Central  free sheet music for singers and voice teachers.

Your Accompanist provides rehearsal tracks for singers:  real piano
accompaniment recordings on mp3, download and begin rehearsing immediately

Mezzo Heaven:  Linda Grace, a UK-based mezzo, has created a wonderful site for
mezzo repertoire across a variety of genres.   Unique repertoire  available for download
as pdf files.  Unite with mezzos world-wide on the forum, and find fabulous music for
your next recital.

The New Forum for Classical Singers: this elegantly simple site is for
classical singers, and the content is provided by classical singers.  The site features
singer forums, a fascinating "who's who" list with links to performer websites, news
from the world of classical music, and a really useful links page.

Schubertline is the online score service for singers.  Instant printed sheet music of
lieder, songs and arias -- view, play, and print in any key, using Sibelius Scorch, the free
software for downloading sheet music from the Internet.  They offer over 2000  scores of
songs by great composers.  You can view and listen for free.  Purchase individual
songs or a subscription for unlimited printing.

The Self-Expression Center:  Sandra Zimmer, founder  of the Self-Expression
Center in Houston, Texas, transforms stage fright into natural presence.  Beginning in
1987, Sandra developed her method based on her own fears and anxieties faced as an
actress,  speaker, and trainer.  Since then, she has empowered thousands of people to
successfully overcome fear of public speaking, transform their stage fright, and develop
their natural abilities as communicators, speakers, actors, presenters, singers,
musicians, and group leaders.

Songs for Singers: The 2-CD set contains 10 wonderful songs that are appropriate
for beginning singers.  Each title includes a full performance, pronunciation, melody
alone, and accompaniment.  Individual tracks are also available via mp3 download.  It's
a very well done, highly practical resource.

The Vocalist:  THE international mailing list for singers and teachers of singing.  
Seasoned pros and newbies alike discuss everything about singing, from very picky
points of diction and vocal technique, to performance anxiety, audition tips, music
schools, and vocal health.

Vocalist-UK:  Learn, laugh, and interact at www.vocalist.org.uk, the singers' site
containing free online singing lessons, articles on singing and the music business for
singers, lyricists, musicians, and songwriters; plus resources, message board,
classifieds, books, sheet music, jokes, gifts, and more for singers of all ages,
standards and styles.  Their page on vocal diction is also very interesting, and full of
resources.

MusiciansWay.com serves all singers and instrumentalists who strive for musical
excellence. In tandem with the 360-page book The Musician’s Way by Gerald Klickstein,
the resources on this site help musicians to enhance practice and performance skills,  
overcome performance anxiety, collaborate amicably, boost health  and prevent music-
related injuries, and much more.

OperaStuff:   a world of opera to explore.  This simple  and tempting site links you to
singer sites (grouped by voice type), opera houses, opera links of all kinds, and singers
resources.

  Singers/Ensembles/Organizations of Note


Linda Balliro, Soprano, in Malden, MA.  A beautiful website for an active singer, with
video/sound clips.

Jennifer Moore, Soprano, a Houston girl  whose start is  on the rise.

Misha Penton, Mezzo soprano/Divergence Vocal Theater, Houston's indie renegade
opera company.  

  Non-singer sites, fun and useful

Blank Sheet Music is super useful and  convenient!  Ready-to-print sheets in a few
seconds, no software to download &  install, no watermarks on prints.

Sibelius Scorch is free software for downloading sheet music from the Internet.

Buttonland: free buttons for web design.


Link to us!  We carefully review all requests to trade links.  Please send an email to webmaster@dictionhelper.com with your URL and the reciprocal link.  We can help each other
and make the Internet a more friendly place

Send mail to feedback@dictionhelper.com with questions or comments about this web site.

Copyright © 2009 DictionHelper.com and MaryBeth D. Smith
Tell your students
about DictionHelper.
com™
Download pdf flier,
then print and
distribute, or email, post
to your website, blog, or
message board..
Follow  us on Twitter
@DictionHelper
Become a FAN of
DictionHelper on
Facebook
Enter your name and email
to receive our FREE report,
"Practice Tips for Beginning Singers":

First Name:
Email Address:

Powered By: FreeFollowup.com