Book review
The Contemporary Singer
by Anne Peckham · 2010 (2nd ed.)
A structured method book tied to Berklee-style contemporary singing. Peckham organizes technique into elements—breath, tone, articulation, health—with notated exercises and companion audio for many drills.
Why we recommend it
The exercise CD (or digital audio) gives you a external reference when you do not have a teacher. It pairs well with objective feedback: you hear the target on the CD, then check yourself on SingMeter.
Best for
College-age or self-taught singers learning contemporary technique with guided exercises
Not ideal for
Complete beginners who have never done a warm-up (start with our tutorials first)
Read this book if…
You want a method book with sequenced exercises, not just tips.
Pair with SingMeter
Books explain ideas; tools give feedback. A simple weekly loop:
- Before CD exercises: warm up — 15-minute metronome routine.
- Match pitch on exercises — After each CD line, hold and check cents.
- Reference tones — If CD tempo is too fast, slow with Tone Generator.
Pros
- • Clear exercise progression
- • Contemporary focus
- • Audio examples included
Cons
- • Requires reading music notation for some drills
- • Less song-repertoire guidance
Alternatives
- Set Your Voice Free — More narrative, less notation.
- Ear training tutorial — If CD intervals are hard to match.
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