by Barbara
(United Kingdom)
Can you suggest a song book or some individual songs for an 8-9 year-old girl who is having singing lessons. In my opinion the songs she is singing with her teacher (a type of pop music) are encouraging her to imitate pop singers and spoiling her voice, and moreover, are not suitable for a child of that age.
The little girl has a good, strong voice but I feel she is too young ie not mature emotionally, or in terms of her vocal ability, and would benefit from singing songs appropriate for her young age and vocal range. Any help would be appreciated.
Dana:
Hi, Barbara,
I know exactly what you mean by inappropriate songs.
There are 2 collections I like to use which have age-appropriate songs, in my opinion, but they are both Broadway/Hollywood music books. That doesn't necessarily mean that your daughter would damage her voice! Please check them out by going to my Broadway Musicals page. Down at the bottom of the page, where I suggest song collections (as opposed to particular musicals):
"Popular Solos for Young Singers" has got songs beloved by a certain age group: "Rubber Duckie," "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah," "Candle on the Water," "The Bare Necessities," "Ballad of Davy Crockett," "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," "Be Kind to Your Parents," "The Chipmunk Song," "Count Your Blessings," "On the Good Ship Lollipop," "In My Own Little Corner," "Spoonful of Sugar," "Supercalifrajilisticexpialidocious," "Rainbow Connection," and others.
"Kids' Broadway Songbook" is another terrific collection: three good songs from Annie: "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Maybe," and "Tomorrow." "I Whistle a Happy Tune" from The King and I, "My Best Girl" from Mame, "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Miserables, "Where is Love" and "Who Will Buy" from Oliver! "I Won't Grow Up" from Peter Pan, and "Dites-Mois" (Tell Me Why) from South Pacific.
If you go to that Broadway Musicals page, you will be able to link directly to those books. All of these songs can be sung in a voice-healthy manner.
If you are are concerned about a pop-only repertoire, with no folk and classical music mixed in, then you need to discuss this with your daughter's voice teacher. Many teachers assume children won't enjoy anything but pop music, and don't even offer them anything else. At my studio, the pop music is the TREAT but not the MEAT of the repertoire.
Please read my entire "Beginning Voice" page for a perspective on different kinds of vocal music. And yes, there are MANY individual songs offered on my website for free that are suitable for an 8-9 year old girl. Take some time and go down the list, listening to the accompanying videos.
Good luck!