The status and the problem of Western vocal music teaching in Myanmar

The purpose of this research was to study the voice teachers, voice, voice teaching as well as problems. This research used qualitative methods, formal and informal interviews and observation. There were six vocal music teachers from a variety of Music Centers in Yangon, one vocal music teacher from The Myanmar Institute of Theology (Liberal Arts program), Music Department in Myanmar and one vocal instructor from an independent unit who are currently working in that area with at least 2 years’ experience in western vocal teaching as full-time and part-time teachers. This research focused on an analysis of vocal teachers, status of vocal music teaching, voice teaching methods and contents, music skills of voice major students, repertoires or songs used in teaching voice majors and some of the main problems of teaching western vocal music in Myanmar. Teachers are needed to work another job that is related or unrelated with music for emphasizing vocal teaching. Current teaching of vocal music cannot teach using the same procedures as western vocal teaching; it depends on voice students level and what they could learn. Choosing standard repertoires or songs such as classic or music theatre songs for the studies in Myanmar really made it difficult for the teachers. Most of their students music skills in voice were at a basic level. Group vocal lessons and teaching sight singing classes were the most popular vocal teaching methods in Myanmar. The common problems were students interested in learning classic voice, classic voice opportunities in Myanmar, status of solo singers and audiences in Myanmar, musical equipment, and common vocal problems of teaching. Students’ interested in learning classic voice relied on classic voice opportunities. The main effect of the lack of opportunity for western vocal classic music was the situation of musicians and audiences appreciating classic voices. Accepting unqualified singers in Myanmar was the main point for the careers of classic singers. Tongue and jaw relaxation, incomplete inhalation and understanding of resonance were the main problems that teachers faced while they were teaching voice to Myanmar voice students.