Alison Hedger is a well-respected children's composer and arranger known for her catchy melodic hooks and inventive teaching materials. Her approach to teaching singing is holistic and encourages children to discover the joy of music-making through immersive, interactive lessons. In this article, we'll explore some of Alison Hedger's unique vocal techniques and songs that showcase them.

1. Teach singing through storytelling

Alison Hedger's approach to teaching singing often involves storytelling. She believes that children learn best when they are engaged and connected to the material they are singing. By creating narratives around songs, children are better able to understand and remember the lyrics and melodies. For example, in her song "Oliver Green," which teaches children about primary and secondary colors, students sing about a magical frog that jumps from one color to another, encouraging them to follow along with the melody and lyrics.

2. Use call-and-response

Call-and-response is a technique where a leader calls out a phrase, and the group responds in unison with a different but related phrase. Alison Hedger uses call-and-response in many of her songs to encourage students to listen carefully and sing in harmony. For example, in her song "Father Christmas," students sing the chorus in response to the leader's call, building their ability to harmonize and work together as a group.

3. Encourage improvisation

Improvisation is a key component of Alison Hedger's teaching philosophy. By allowing students to improvise, they develop their confidence and creativity. In her song "Nursery Rhyme Blues," for example, students are given the melody and lyrics of classic nursery rhymes but are encouraged to create their own variations on the melody. This approach helps children develop a sense of ownership and creativity while improving their vocal technique.

4. Use rounds and canons

Rounds and canons are musical structures where a melody is repeated by different groups in a staggered fashion. Alison Hedger often uses rounds and canons to teach students about harmonies and the difference between melody and harmony. For example, in her song "Autumn Leaves," students sing the melody while another group sings a harmony part, creating a beautiful, layered sound.

Songs to showcase Alison Hedger's vocal techniques

• "Oliver Green"
• "Father Christmas"
• "Nursery Rhyme Blues"
• "Autumn Leaves"

Practical advice and resources

To improve your singing abilities and master Alison Hedger's vocal techniques, Singing Carrots offers a range of resources and exercises to help you practice. You can take the vocal range test to determine your vocal range, use the Pitch accuracy test to assess your pitch accuracy, and use the Vocal Pitch Monitor to visualize the notes you are singing. The Pitch Training module offers interactive vocal warm-ups and exercises for range and agility.

Additionally, Singing Carrots offers a vast database of songs searchable by vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference. You can find songs that match your voice and work on mastering Alison Hedger's techniques. If you want to learn more about singing theory and practical tips, the singing course is a 21-lesson program designed for beginners.

By using Alison Hedger's unique vocal techniques and Singing Carrots' resources, you can unlock your full vocal potential and discover the joy of music-making.