A Study on Improving the Singing Skills of Prospective Music Teachers

ABSTRACT

The human voice, the oldest, most natural and most fundamental musical instrument known, serves as a primary channel for everyday verbal communication and through the art of singing, transforms into an aesthetic and expressive mean of musical communication. Therefore, the optimal utilization of an individual’s vocal potential, the use of the voice in its natural state, and the maintenance of vocal health constitute critical and sensitive issues. Furthermore, the human voice may be regarded as one of the most fundamental and natural instruments in the processes of music learning and teaching, while the song form can be considered among the most basic forms of musical expression. Considering that singing is the goal and natural outcome of voice training, developing the singing skills of prospective music teachers will contribute to their greater confidence and success both during their undergraduate education and in their future professional lives. In this context, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the importance of developing the singing skills of prospective music teachers and to offer recommendations. The research conducted a literature review and employed the interview technique, a qualitative research method. The study group consisted of prospective music teachers studying in the Department of Music Education at Dokuz Eylül University's Buca Faculty of Education and taking a vocal training course. At the end of the research, suggestions were presented in line with the findings obtained for the development of singing skills of music teacher candidates.