Computer Singing

Post updated on April 4, 2009

Do secondary school students enjoy singing?  Class singing can be viewed as an activity that is popular with the primary age range but becomes more difficult with secondary students.  An idea tested in my classroom is to have one PC available as a singing resource.  

The ideal location for a computer with ‘bouncy ball lyrics’ is a small room adjacent to the main classroom.  This allows a small group to rehearse and then perform their songs to the class.  A computer can be used in the main classroom with headphones used for rehearsal, but this is not ideal as it will distract others and also cause problems with intonation.  Students will not be used to standing at the computer screen and they will need to be reminded of essential breath control and singing techniques.

‘Divtune’ is an example of the ’scrolling lyric’ software resource. The program plays MIDI files that have embedded lyrics and KARAOKE files with the *.kar extension. It can also display lyrics that have been prepared for CD tracks. The MP3 format is also supported.  Full instructions, program, MIDI and example CD lyrics are available from Bill Basham at http://www.divtune.com/  The small shareware charge allows educational establishments unlimited use of the program.  

The scrolling lyric resources on TANBUR SONGS 1 have been updated April 2009 with Fireflies, a delightful presentation from the music page of SillyBooks.net, while TANBUR SONGS 2 provides examples of MIDI and MP3 files that have been converted to flash format.  As an example, try the Tum Balalaika backing track, then listen to the a capella version by ‘Listen Up!’ 

I have also used ’scrolling lyric’ resources to gain initial interest for a school musical production.  Small groups of students used backing tracks with displayed lyrics, transposing and adjusting the tempo of songs as required.  When main rehearsals were held the students were confident in performance, requiring less rehearsal time than would otherwise have been the case.

If your computer has Internet access, Youtube has some excellent quality scrolling lyric resources. Try typing the name of your song followed by the word ‘lyrics’. 

A few websites have successfully promoted a selection of CD recordings with displayed lyrics that do not scroll. A case in point is from one of Ireland’s most respected folk singers. Listen to enchanting performances of songs such as ‘Red is the Rose’ and ‘Will ye go Lassie go’ at Liam’s Songbag.  

Do you have experience of resources that can be used to promote singing and the voice in the music classroom? Comments please!