FAQs
WHAT WHO? HOW? SHARING SINGERSBABEL TOOLS LIBRARY TECHNICAL ISSUES DICTION TOPICS
WHAT? WHO? HOW?
- - What is SingersBabel?
SingersBabel helps you learn the pronunciation and meaning of texts in American English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin (Ecclesiastical & Gallic), Russian, and Church Slavonic. Listen to a native speaker recite the text in two speeds, poetic and slow, while viewing a literal translation and IPA transcription in MP4 video format on your computer or device.
- Who uses SingersBabel tools?
Hundreds of singers, conductors, teachers, and coaches use SingersBabel. Choruses large and small enjoy the benefits of practicing and rehearsing with SingersBabel tools.
- Who are the content creators for SingersBabel?
The content creators are native speakers*/sung-diction specialists from around the world. They are professional singers and/or diction coaches. More information may be found at https://www.singersbabel.com/about/people.aspx.
*with the exception of Latin, because, well, no one is alive who was a native speaker of Latin. :-)
- How can I use these tools in lessons and rehearsals?
Singers can use these tools to improve their pronunciation at their own pace before lessons or rehearsals, so that the teacher, or the ensemble and conductor, can make the most of their time. Ensembles that use these tools also experience more unified vowels, better tuning, a deeper connection to the text, and greater vocal freedom.
SHARING SINGERSBABEL TOOLS
- May I encourage my chorus members register to use SingersBabel?
Yes, please do! Each user will need to create their own login and password.
- May I print copies of a PDF Guide for my chorus to use?
Yes, you may. Alternatively, your choristers may print their own copies.
LIBRARY
- How does the Library work?
On the Website: Go to Login or Register. Once logged in, click on the LIBRARY menu header to read instructions on how to use the Library, or go directly to: https://www.singersbabel.com/tools.aspx.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
- What browsers work best with the SingersBabel website?
SingersBabel recommends using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge as your browser. It is very important that your browser be as up-to-date as possible.
You may download Google Chrome for free using this link: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95346?hl=en
Mozilla Firefox for free using this link: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
Safari comes with the Apple operating system
Microsoft Edge/Bing comes with the Windows operating system
- How do I update my browser?
If you are using:
Google Chrome - launch the browser and click on the Customize & Control GC button on the upper right side. It looks like 3 vertical dots. Go down the menu list to near the bottom and click on Help/About Google Chrome. Click that and a page will come up and Google will check to see what version you are using. If it is out of date, it will prompt you to update.
If you are using:
Mozilla Firefox - launch the browser and click on the horizontal 3 lines (menu open) at the top right and select Help/About Firefox. If there are updates available for Firefox, they will be automatically downloaded and installed.
- Why can’t I hear anything when I play the videos?
Please make sure your speakers are turned on and the volume is loud enough to hear. This is particularly important for laptops, which often have small speakers which can be hard to hear. Make sure that your speaker volume or headphone volume isn't muted. Click on a muted button to un-mute it. Look for the signal bars to see if they need to be increased.
- I would like to change my email address. What do I do?
Login to the SingersBabel website. Click on Profile and in the second section make changes to your email address. Click on Update at the bottom of the page before exiting.
- I’ve forgotten my password. What do I do?
On the website Login page, enter your User Name and click on Forgot Password? Follow the prompt to reenter your User Name. A new password will be sent to the email address associated with your User Name. Login again to SingersBabel, using the password just sent to you. Once logged in, you may change your password to whatever you wish by clicking on Profile and clicking on Change Password in the first section of the page.
DICTION TOPICS
- What is IPA?
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a pronunciation system created by an international team of linguists, with the purpose of providing one set of symbols that can be used by everyone. Learn more at the International Phonetic Association: https://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/
- What languages do you currently offer?
We currently offer repertoire in American English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin (Ecclesiastical & Gallic), Russian, and Church Slavonic.
- Do the tools on SingersBabel replace the need for a coach?
Absolutely not! These tools are meant to give you a starting point. The more you can prepare before arriving at a lesson, coaching or rehearsal, the further you can delve into the piece vocally, musically and interpretatively.
- I hear another native speaker say it differently. Who is correct?
There are many differences between spoken and sung language, but, even among diction coaches, opinions about the "correct" pronunciation in singing can differ. The tools on this site are meant to give examples of what is authentic and expressive. It is not the only way to do it. If someone else presents a good reason to do it differently and it feels good vocally, then there's no reason not to do it.
- Why is IPA useful?
Well, for instance in American English, there are 16 vowel sounds but only 5 or 6 vowels. With IPA, each sound has its own symbol, so there’s no need to guess what sound you’re aiming for, once you learn the basics. Additionally, an IPA transcription shows the stress in a word.