It needs some time and training but the successful sight singing strenghtens self-confidence and quality-conscousness of every singer. It would be an advantage to have a piano or keyboard in the room. Begin with C major (after this follows G major, F major; The flat tones should come later). They should know the function of the clef, b-sign and sharp-sign

The main goal is (a) to learn the steps of the scale (with semi-step e-f and h-c in C major). Normally a singer in the choir knows this, is it schhool knowledge, but you have to control this. -

b) The singer has to recognize (and to name) by hearing, which interval you plays on the piano, of course every singer must know the intervals. Every participant can this learn also with evreryday work, independent from common sing-training of the choir. However they must know the intervals, and they mutually should give tasks to test the own learned ability. This step is, in the beginning of training, independent from singing with sheet.

c) With the sheet for instance (or one sheet is prepared, with a projector at the wall, for all participants), they must recognize by answering, which interval you have prepared on the grading system (5 lines, at the beginning in C major, but for training you should transfer the song or a part from it from C major in G major for instance). - At aevery case you let them sing the intervals also. The last step is that you prepare several intervals and short parts (as written notes in the system) of a very well-known folk-song, which could no be sang by all. And then will follow full melodies.

Important: This last step requires - as basic condition - that people at least know the triad, then also the forth, the fith, the sept, and also (this can they learn with simple song beginnings or beginnings of well-known music pieces.

(d) In an advanced level you teach them typical chord sequences, I - V - I or I - VI - IV - V - I etc.

Okay? Have a good work! Hein

Match intervals to songs: For instance: Min 2nd I Left My Heart in San Francisco Maj 2nd Strangers In The Night Min 3rd Greensleeves Maj 3rd While Shepherds Watched (Winchester Old) Perf 4th Amazing Grace Aug 4th/Dim 5th Maria from West Side Story Perf 5th Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Min 6th Love Story Theme Maj 6th My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean Min 7th Somewhere from West Side Story Maj 7th Superman Theme Octave Somewhere Over The Rainbow Then practice, practice, practice!

this feature seems strange, unknown and not interesting, right?

In music Key C is the simplest in teaching site singing.One has to get enough time to teach the octaves in lines and how to sing when with beginners.

Thank you. Maybe I just need confirmation that the methods I'm using are the best out there. I think the students are just not putting in enough time.

Hein Retter - to what feature do you refer?

There is no substitute for putting the work in, but that applies to al of their studies. Several short sessions every day are better than bashing away for one long session. Perhaps create a series of incentives and rewards so that there is something to work towards. If you make the steps short and the rewards frequent, it will encourage better progression. You could even get the students to set their own goals and incentives so that they become more engaged with the procedure.

Did you already thought about audiation? Audiation is the ability to hear music or sound when it is not physically present. Or in order words: music perception. I believe that students have to learn to listen (again) and to go, this is in my opinion one of the most important skills a student needs to possess. Regarding to your question: i think we have to learn our students first how to listen. If they are able to listen better, they van imagine how the music (or melody) has to sound. If you would like to have more information, you can contact me.

Agreed. Audiation is essential. Developing an "ear" requires constructive listening. Using mini scores whilst listening to music is useful because it makes it easier to follow an instrument in the "middle" of the sound whilst reading the notes.

Choose a short, well-known work such as Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and allocate an instrument to each student to follow in the score while they listen. Most newcomers tend to listen to the upper voice or voice that is prominent whilst not being aware of the details of the harmony so they need to develop the ability to pick out voices at will.

They will then begin to find it easier to sing in harmony and to hear notes in the middle of chords in order to pick up singing after a pause during rehearsal.