Amy Walton, with expertise in musical literacy and keyboard skills, joins Alexa to explore essential music theory and piano skills for singing teachers. Trained in jazz performance, she reshaped curriculum at the Academy of Contemporary Music and teaches at Toronto's Singers Edge.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Musical literacy and keyboard skills are crucial for singing teachers. They enable accompaniment, enhance communication, and empower independent leadership. Understanding theory and tonality enriches teaching, making instructors more versatile and employable.
• Strategies for engaging music lessons include adding movement to exercises like scale learning, keeping a lighthearted atmosphere by involving students in activities like song form sketching, and tailoring lessons to their goals, whether karaoke or music school. Amy advocates for making theory accessible through arranging exercises and introducing concepts subtly. Amy also recommends using recording for feedback and preparing accompaniments in advance to focus on students during lessons.
• Vocal warm-ups using scales and arpeggios are essential for singers. They expand range, improve technique, and enhance articulation. From practising major scales for technique to exploring melodic minors for range, these exercises offer diverse challenges and benefits.
• To identify augmented and diminished chords on piano, understand their structure. Augmented chords raise the fifth scale degree, while diminished chords lower it. Play augmented chords by raising the fifth note of a major triad, and diminished chords by lowering the fifth note of a minor triad. Listen closely to distinguish their sound from major or minor chords. With practice, you'll master playing these chords.

BEST MOMENTS 

"I try to incorporate movement into it. It's a bit of dance."

“Don't look at it as what can I do, but what can theory do for you in your practice."

“Sometimes I do that in a way to hide the vegetables."

EPISODE RESOURCES 

Social Media:

• Instagram: @amywaltonmusic

Relevant Links & Mentions: 

• Jacob Collier: https://www.jacobcollier.com/
• Kaya Herstad-Carney: https://kayamusic.com/
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. 70 Coaching Contemporary Commercial Music with Kim Chandler 
• Open Music Theory - Viva Press Books: https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/
• Popular Music Theory from University of West London: https://lcmmusicshop.uwl.ac.uk/shop/dept/Popular-Music-Theory/100105
• Adult Piano Adventure Books 
• Modern Pop Keyboard Books (Hal Leonard) 
• (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. Essential Piano Skills for Singers and Voice Teachers with Brenda Earle Stokes

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ABOUT THE GUEST 

Amy, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, boasts over 15 years' experience as a soloist and voice teacher. Trained in Jazz Performance at the University of Cape Town, she later led vocals at the Academy of Contemporary Music in London, reshaping their curriculum. Now based in Toronto, Amy teaches at Singer’s Edge and offers consultancy services while presenting at Vocology In Practice conferences. Her expertise spans vocal physiology, musical literacy, keyboard skills, and contemporary improvisation. Notable career highlights include performances with the KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in South Africa and on the Eiffel Tower.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

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