Description

How do you help your students make pop music “pop”?

At one point, many voice teachers saw pop music as a performance that flaunted the conventions of traditional music and didn’t need to be studied as a singing technique.

This episode’s guest, vocal instructor Renee Maranan, disagrees. To Renee, breaking the rules of classical singing requires singers to have a firm grasp of those rules in the first place so they can make deliberate, sustainable choices that form emotional connections with their audience.

This means pop singers need to be instructed in vocal science and conventional singing techniques even as they build their own aesthetic. 

Come hear how Renee breaks down both the art of singing pop music and the challenges of teaching this music style to students. Learn how the very definition of “pop music” encompasses a wide range of sounds, requiring singers to become comfortable with exploring their voices and the places they can take it. And discover why becoming an effective pop music singer ultimately requires training to produce an effective — and intentional — sound of their own. 

In this episode, we discuss:

1. How growing up in a Filipino musical culture of pop music provided Renee with a unique perspective on pop music performance and teaching (3:03)
2. Why teaching multiple genres of music help reveal new teaching techniques that are more effective with different students (4:40)
3. The style choices that create the aesthetic of “pop music” (7:07)
4. Cultural differences in pop — and the rising popularity of collaborating with pop singers from different states and countries to produce new flavors of music (11:17)
5. How artists find a “good” pop sound through exploration and being open to change (16:08)
6. The value of listening deliberately to pop music and picking out the details (20:11)
7. Why mastering pop music singing requires training (25:00)
8. How the relationship between pop musicians and their audience has changed in today’s online age (26:48)
9. New opportunities for sharing your pop music and passion projects (30:05)
10. How to direct students’ attention to the details of a pop music singer’s technique (32:30)
11. Renee’s advice for new voice coaches just starting to teach pop music (35:07)
12. The importance of developing a strong musical foundation in your pop singer students (41:55)

Book a session with Renee Maranan by visiting her website and follow her on Instagram to learn more about her upcoming classes.

Is there a teacher, performer, or researcher you think would make a great guest on our show? Email us at hello@vocaladvancement.com and let us know!

About the Institute for Vocal Advancement

The Institute of Vocal Advancement (IVA) was created to provide voice teachers with a support network to provide you with the best teaching tools and strategies to advance your career. Our trainers teach from the empathic mindset, showing you how to improve your own teaching style. Learn how our Teacher Training Programs can help advance your career. Use the code “iva20percent” to get 20% off your first year’s course membership fee!

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