WikiProject: Singing
editScope:
editGoal: to demystify singing for the masses at Wikipedia. Long term goals are for each article in the Wikipedia Singing project to carry a multitude of references from proper books, and where appropriate, references to peer-reviewed journal(s), not internet sites, with book citations carrying ISBN references. In the case of singing registers such as whistle register, head voice, at least 3 different book sources should be used, all cited as different explanations for the method. In something so complicated, we must not settle for one explanation.
Article Scope: Head voice, whistle register, chest voice, baritone, bass, tenor, baritenor, sub bass, and more (feel free to add).
NOT: Not to be concerned with working out notes in songs at all. That is very much a subjective science. We are not here to work out who is a soprano, and who is a mezzo. We do not care if David Bowie is a tenor or a baritone, or for that matter, a bass. To label these artists may well offend them, in the case of living artists we may actually create a situation where they feel they have been slandered. Please read WP:LIVING before beginning this project.
How to help:
editWikiproject singing has a nobel advantage over other projects, it's users knowledge of how to read sources and scour them for information has proven to be hugely powerful, in the early days before this project was established, users worked out how to scan songs for possible note ranges of a singer. While this is original research, it proved that there was a possibility for a community with thirst and zest for new knowledge - and power to find it.
Users who join the project must find out what kind of contributions are expected. They must encourage contributions from everyone, even those that are new to the subject (they can do reviews and check readability).
How you should write articles:
editImagine a type of singing in which chords can be sung (by one person using one set of vocal cords) has just been invented. There are two books on the subject:
One Man Chord Singing - Jeff Danford
Synopsis: One man can sing entire Chords! Learn how to do it by discovering the only healthy way to eliminate your Passagio and sing through the frontal mask!
Sales this week: 10,000 copies
Solitary Man Choir - Michelle Corse
Synopsis: There is no such thing as a mask, one must learn how to belt using the lower cord trachea muscles, learn the REAL, healthy method with me, Michelle!
Sales this week: 7,600 copies
Examples
editOne can imagine the conflicts in an article that could arise:
| Chord singing is a type of singing in which chords are sung, this is done by discovering how to eliminate your Passagio and sing through the frontal mask. |
This is obviously misguided - We cannot say this is a good article because it leaves out the obvious fact that Michelle Corse stipulates otherwise. Indeed, even though she sells less copies, Michelle may be right, therefore she must be mentioned as well:
| Chord singing is a type of singing in which chords are sung, writer Jeff Danford says this is done by discovering how to eliminate your Passagio and sing through the frontal mask. Another writer, Michelle Corse who sells less copies says this is wrong and you must use the lower cord trachea muscles, her method has been alleged to hurt people. |
This is also completely wrong - but I hear you say, but it mentions both. Well, it mentions Corse, but it also adds information from a web forum discussion in which Corse was defamed by Danford readers who said her method can hurt you.
It is obviously biased. The best example of an article is the following:
| Chord singing is a type of singing in which chords are sung. One method, popularised by Michelle Corse says you must engage the lower cord trachea muscles. Another method, popularised by Jeff Danford says this type of singing is achieved by discovering how to eliminate your Passagio and singing through the frontal mask.
Both methods are popular, with Corse's book selling 7,600 copies, and Danford's selling 10,000 copies. Both writers allege that each others method will hurt you, and that they use incorrect technique. ReferenceseditOne Man Chord Singing - Jeff Danford, ISBN 76365635654 |
This example is correct. Note how the methods are given in order of alphabetical surname, not popularity.