The Integration of Violin and Voice for the Solo Performer: A Set of Exercises, Studies and Short Pieces

The violin has often been compared to the voice for its ability to connect with human emotions. Both violinists and vocalists have the ability to shape sound through pitch, timbre, dynamics and articulation, on a level as small as an individual note. Why then, despite these similarities, do so few musicians choose to play violin and sing at the same time?

Difficulties often arise because the violin and the voice both demand a similar kind of attention from the performer. Through a series of exercises and compositions, this paper explores intonation, timbre, rhythm, harmony and improvisation as they relate to a violinist/singer. In its entirety, it forms a method, by which a performer can learn to play violin and sing simultaneously. Some of the materials developed address general musicianship and so may also be useful in a broader pedagogical context.