Using a Vertical-Keyboard Instrument with the Uncertain Singer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a vertically-arranged keyboard instrument by the uncertain singer as a means of improving his or her vocal performance, and to compare this improvement with that of (1) students who received the same remedial instruction, but modified to include the use of a horizontal-keyboard instrument, and (2) students who were taught in the conventional manner recommended by music educators for improvement of singing skills. A test instrument developed for the study included aural and vocal tasks to be performed by the subject. The test was used in a pretest-posttest design. Results indicated that the vertical-keyboard procedure produced more effective performance results than did the horizontal-keyboard or the conventional procedure. Vocal problems related to concept of pitch direction, lack of attention, and low speaking voice were most efficiently handled in the vertical-keyboard group.

The Effect of Male Falsetto on the Pitch-Matching Accuracy of Uncertain Boy Singers, Grades K-8

“…4 1979), poor singing skills {Joyner, 1969; Roberts, 1972), inadequate vocal control (jones, 1979;Porter, 1977), inappropriate ranges-those selected for trained musicians rather than comfortable ranges for untrained singers (Bowers, 1993;Cleall, 1970)-and lack of regard for children's changes in vocal ranges with age (Bowers, 1993;Welch, 1979).…”

The Effectiveness of Individual/ Small-Group Singing Activities on Kindergartners' Use of Singing Voice and Developmental Music Aptitude

“…A tape recorder (Klemish, 1974), a vertical keyboard (Jones, 1979), and kazoos (Runfola, 1981) have all been successfully used to assist the nonsinger. Whitman (1971), however, found that a keyboard instrument did not help the singing achievement of fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students.…”

The Problem Singer: What Does Research Suggest? Part I: The Nature of the Problem

“…However, he did not believe that a high correlation 20 existed between pitch discrimination and singing: "a person with a poor ear may have a beautiful voice or other mark of good singing; and the best ear may be associated with a helpless voice" (p.64). Several more recent investigators also reported low correlations between pitch discrimination abilities/music aptitude and singing abilities (Apfelstadt 1984;Feierabend 1984;Fullard 1969;Geringer 1983;Gordon 1985;Jones 1979;Porter 1977;Roberts & Davies 1976;Rutkowski 1986). Many of these persons concluded that other properties besides pitch discrimination may affect the ability to sing.…”