The Four Pillars of Singing Paperback – June 9, 2015

Robert Lunte is a very interesting guy as he is both very creative as well as analytical and detail-oriented. I think TVS and this, his new edition of 'The Four Pillars of Singing', reflects this fact: He is somehow able to capture the emotion and nuance of vocal style and carefully, analytically dissects each nuance into the constituent physical components and series of steps that the singer undertakes.That's a mouthful I know, but for someone like me who is rather technical/analytical and who has never had formal voice instruction before, it is just perfect. It is like having a very patient and very knowledgeable mentor walk through all the detail of very subtle (and not obvious!) techniques. I'm just not sure I would have grasped the subtleties of Robert's instruction without all of the associated detail, and not everyone is able to capture detail like Robert does here. In a nutshell, what he did is hard!The new edition of 'Four Pillars' has many diagrams to help visually understand the dynamics of singing physiology, plus a bunch of new exercises. As an owner of the first edition I feel like this is a very worthy upgrade. The exercises alone are worth it.So, is it worth it? Clearly for me, yes: As a rock singer, I'm just a better and way more confident and controlled singer after a year or so with Robert and 'Four Pillars', so I expect my progress to continue with his refined pedagogy. My bandmates have noticed that I'm better, I've noticed that I'm better, even my wife has noticed ;). Try 'The Four Pillars...' I do not think you will regret it.

I have a background that includes anatomy and some acoustic physics, but little music. I wanted to improve my performance in amateur musical theater, so before buying "The Four Pillars of Singing" (The 4PS), I spent about two years searching the Web, mostly YouTube, for useful lessons on singing. The basics of singing are readily available, but then I needed integrated, intermediate instruction. Although many talented teachers had posted to the Web, Robert's videos alone impressed me as demonstrating direct knowledge of the fundamental science underpinning accurate singing. Over the past four months, I have found in Robert's book and videos, organized as The 4PS, the integrated instruction I required for further steady progress. Some reviewers apparently find his methodical, scientific approach intimidating, but I relish it. He exhaustively lists techniques, e.g., he gives rules for vowel and consonant substitutions indexed by individual sounds (e.g., sing an efficient "f" by putting your lip in front of your teeth). The Web has little material on onsets, but again, Robert categorizes them into "work flows" for methodical practice, e.g., his work flow for Wind and Release Onset (Aspirate Onset) helped relieve some constrictions I had in head voice (M2). My only criticism of Robert's magnificent effort is that the 4PS has no index, but fortunately, you can search the PDF on the CD electronically. His enthusiasm for his subject comes across in his videos: if you are serious about singing and decide to buy The 4PS, you will not regret it.

I want to state upfront, that I`ve basically been guilty of being a vocal program junkie. If there is a vocal system out there on the cyber market I`ve probably brought it in the quest for vocal self improvementIf you are looking to buy a vocal program for the first time or to upgrade from a program you have previously purchased, you can save yourself a lot of time and money by investing in the Four Pillars of SingingWhat I found most helpful were the octave sirens, resonant tracking & the vowel modification chartsWith the octave sirens you will train you voice to no longer be “scared” or feel any anxiety regarding high notes – through the use of twang the heady placements experienced in the sirens will add more resonance to your tone – and suddenly your upper range becomes full and you will find yourself singing songs you previously thought only belonged to “tenors”Resonant tracking will get you the beginning of your singing phrases out of “weighty” vocal production and train your voice into the proper frequency it needs for successful upper range singingI found vowel modifications very helpful for difficult phrases in the upper range where the throat and tone can get closed off – basically with whatever vowel you are having trouble with look on the chart to see what vowel you can modify too for a less “yelly” tight productionAnd the great thing too, should you have any questions on the program or the vocal Robert is very passionate and knowledgeable in his craft and might I add very prompt and thorough with his replies – you won’t feel short changed !If you are unsatisfied with your level of vocal prowess, you have come to the right placeThe 4 Pillars of singing is the platform the rest is up to you – like anything you have to invest yourself in it to get the results you desire