The Application of Sibelius Software as a Learning Medium of

Vocal Class Methods

Suryati

, Tri Wahyu Widodo

, Andre Indrawan

Music Education Study Program, FSP ISI Yogyakarta, Jl. Parangtritis Km 6,5 Yogyakarta

Music Department, FSP ISI Yogyakarta, Jl. Parangtritis Km 6,5 Yogyakarta

Keywords: Learning, Vocal Class Method, Sibelius.

Abstract: Vocal Class Method is one of the courses in the Music Education Study Program of the Faculty of Performing

Arts, ISI Yogyakarta, as a sign of the study program that must be taken by all students. The learning of vocal

class method is given in theory about how to sing with good and correct vocal techniques. Furthermore, the

practice of singing is given as the application of vocal technique theory. This discussion focuses on the

application of "Sibelius" software as an alternative musical accompaniment in the Vocal Class Method

learning. The method used in this study was the Class Action Research method by utilizing qualitative data.

The results obtained were the learning process carried out gradually, preceded by an understanding of the

singing methods theory, and then continued by the practice of singing with the accompaniment of Sibelius

software. This is more effective and the teacher can focus more on controlling students in the application of

singing practices.

1 INTRODUCTION

Education is a learning both in terms of knowledge

and skills, which are usually carried out for

generations from generation to generation through

teaching or training. Learning is a teaching and

learning process showing interaction between

educators and students, which is carried out

consciously to achieve certain goals according to the

target of an educational institution (Zamroni,

2000:29). Qualified learning depends on the

motivation of students and the creativity of educators

in the learning process. Good learning is supported by

smart facilities and the creativity of educators. This

will make students easier to reach the learning target.

In addition, in order to get sucessful education, of

course, it requires a learning that is qualified and

always follows the developments of the time by

paying attention to the advancement of technology.

Zamroni states that the quality of education will

succeed well when the teaching and learning process

is improved. Success or failure of a learning process

is certainly influenced by various factors, both from

internal factors, namely from individuals, as well as

external factors that are outside of the individual

(Slameto, 2003: 54).

In this era of globalization, the rapid

technological development certainly affects the

education process, especially in terms of learning.

With the development of increasingly advanced

technology, human resources are required to be able

to improve their abilities and skills in the field of

technology. Technology and education are two things

that are related to each other and cannot be separated.

Technology in education includes all the tools or

facilities used in the educational process carried out,

including computer network systems. The application

of technology in the learning process certainly

provides very significant changes and provides

Suryati, ., Widodo, T. and Indrawan, A.

The Application of Sibelius Software as a Learning Medium of Vocal Class Methods.

DOI: 10.5220/0008526700620067

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Intermedia Arts and Creative Technology (CREATIVEARTS 2019), pages 62-67

ISBN: 978-989-758-430-5

alternative solutions, if obstacles are encountered in

the learning process. This also occurs in the learning

process in the Vocal Class Method course.

The learning process of the Vocal Class Method

in the practice of singing material as an application of

the theory of vocal techniques for students, totalling

to 65, requires a musical accompaniment. In fact, the

number of students taking these course does not allow

the practice of singing with accompaniment directly.

It is not only practiced once or twice, but it must be

done repeatedly until the students really understand.

In this regard, if the learning process in singing

practice is done directly with accompaniment, it will

require a long period of time and make the instructor

tired quickly. In addition, the teacher must also pay

attention and check the truth of the students in

applying the practice of vocal techniques in singing.

With the problems faced, in order to overcome this,

an alternative solution is needed by utilizing

computer technology media with the Sibelius

software to help the singing practice learning process

in the Vocal Class Method course.

Sibelius is a software program that is used

specifically to write musical notations in the form of

beam notation. In general, this program is used in

composing or editing classical music, jazz, pop,

bands, and vocals. Sibelius can also be used to edit

scores and play the results of the song before printing.

In addition, beam notation can also be written without

typing but by playing the piano or guitar contained in

the program. Some types of music that can be heard

through Sibelius's compositions include string

instruments, wooden blowers, brass, percussion,

guitar, piano, vocals, and others. This version of

Sibelius software program started from Sibelius 1.

Now, it comes up with Sibelius 7 version. Therefore,

piano accompaniment notation in a song can also be

written with the Sibelius program and can be played

to accompany the song. In connection with these

problems, it is interesting to study and study more

deeply in a study entitled "The Application of

Sibelius Software in Learning Vocal Class Method at

Music Education Study Program in Performing Arts

Faculty, ISI".

2 METHODOLOGY

This study used the Classroom Action Research

method by using qualitative data. Class Action

Research (Classroom Action Research) is an activity

carried out to observe events in the classroom to

improve the practice in the learning process to be

more qualified, so that learning outcomes are better

(Bahri 2012: 8). In qualitative research, a researcher

is required to be able to explain all the trusted parts of

the information source he knows and does not cause

contradictions with the interpretations presented

(Soedarsono, 1999).

This research can be carried out chronologically

through several stages, namely field studies

(observation), literature studies, and data analysis.

Field study research is conducted to obtain data about

the object under study through observation,

interviews by asking questions to informants or

informants, and recording (Moleong, 1999). The

observation was conducted at the time of the learning

process in the course of the Vocal Class Method

directly. Furthermore, to obtain data that could not be

done through observation, direct interviews were

conducted with students who took the course. Then,

to support the interests in the discussion of this

research, an audio visual recording and photography

were carried out during the teaching and learning

activities. Data that have been collected from the

results of field studies and literature were then

analyzed qualitatively. The data were grouped

according to the problems faced and arranged in

certain categories to refer to the subject matter that

has been determined in the study.

3 DISCUSSION

3.1 Learning Process of Vocal Class

Methods

The subject of the vocal class method in the

Education Study Program in the Faculty of

Performing Arts ISI Yogyakarta is embedded in the

curriculum in the fourth semester. But in general,

every semester all students who take these courses are

65 students consisting of the fourth semester and the

second semester students. In this regard, a learning

strategy is needed to help and facilitate the learning

process.

The learning process is a process that contains

a series of activities ranging from plan,

implementation, to assessment. Therefore, the

learning process of the vocal class method in the

Music Education Study Program begins with the

planning of making a lecture contract and Semester

Learning Plan (Rencana Pembelajaran Semester/

hereinafter referred to as RPS). After making a plan,

carry out the learning process according to the

program plan prepared. Besides carrying out the

learning process, evaluation of learning outcomes is

The Application of Sibelius Software as a Learning Medium of Vocal Class Methods

also carried out through assessment in the form of

theory (knowledge) and practice (skills).

The learning process of the vocal class method

in the Education Study Program of the Music Faculty

of the Performing Arts of ISI Yogyakarta is

conducted through several stages. This is because the

subject matter is given in theory and practice. The

theoretical lecture material is given about the steps

and basic techniques of singing well and correctly,

and students are expected to be able to actualize it. In

accordance with RPS, this course is allocated for 16

meetings with 2 hours of lectures which are 50

minutes per lecture. Therefore, one meeting requires

2 hours of lectures which is 100 minutes.

Stages in the course learning process of even

semester vocal class method in Music Education

Study Program begins with the method of learning

vocal techniques including classical, group, and

individual. Then, the students are given the theory of

basic techniques to sing well and correctly. The steps

for basic singing techniques are as follows,

3.1.1 Breathing

Breathing here includes the types of breathing

including shoulder breathing (claviculair), chest

breathing (costal), breathing of the abdomen

(abdominal) and breathing between the septum of the

chest cavity and the body cavity called the diaphragm

(Rahardjo, 1990). The fourth most correct respiration

for singing is diaphragmatic breathing. The process

of diaphragmatic breathing exercises begins to

breathe air through nose and mouth with 8 counts,

then the breath is held by 4 counts, exhale through 8

counts and hold by 4 counts. Carry out repeatedly.

3.1.2 Sound Formation

This sound formation is done by enlarging the

resonance space by sounding "ma me mi mo you" in

tone 5 (sol), and by sounding "Ko ko ko" on tones 1

2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 (do the fa sol fa mi re do), in addition

to strengthening the walls of resonance (Marquart,

2005). All of which are carried out repeatedly by

continuously raising the half pitch, for example,

beginning with the basic note "C", then going up

"Cis", and going up again "D" and so on according to

the ability of sound ambitus possessed. As an

example of notation for resonance cavity training,

enlarging the resonant cavity, and strengthening the

resonant cavity wall can be seen in the following

notation.

Notasi 1: Latihan memperbesar rongga resonansi

Notasi 2: Latihan memperkuat rongga resonansi

Exercises to train feeling the resonance cavity

can be done by sounding "Mm", "Nn" and "ng" on

tones or solmization 1 2 3 4 5 3 2 1 (do this fa sol fa

mi do) . The way to sound "Mm", put the upper and

lower lips freely, relax, do not stiffen the upper and

lower teeth open, to produce good resonance. Then,

to sound "Nn", the mouth is slightly open, place the

tip of the tongue behind the upper root of the tooth

without tension and the upper lower teeth are spaced

out. Feel it to produce good resonance. Likewise to

sing "Ng", the mouth opens slightly, the position of

the tongue is flat and is more directed at the resonance

of the nose. Here's the notation for resonance training.

Notasi 3: Latihan rongga resonansi

3.1.3 Vibration

Vibration is a smooth wave or sound vibration that

occurs due to the breath coming out of the human

vocal cords. Then, the material about the sound

source of the human vocal cords has a different

registers for low notes, throat registers for moderate

notes and head registers for high notes. Apart from

sounds register, there are different types of sounds

according to the high and low tones of each male and

female. The human voice has its own sound color or

characteristics both male and female, such as

Dramatic, Lyrical, and Coloratura (Bel Canto, 2003).

CREATIVEARTS 2019 - 1st International Conference on Intermedia Arts and Creative

3.1.4 Articulation

Articulation is the correct pronunciation or

pronunciation of vowels and consonants,

demonstrating the correct vowel formation exercise

"a, e, i, o, u". In pronouncing the "a" vowel, the mouth

must be opened more or less as wide as we yawn or

we can put three fingers in our mouth, the tip of the

tongue slightly pulled back against the root of the

lower teeth, and the surface of the tongue flat. To

pronounce the "e" vowel, the mouth is opened smaller

than the pronunciation of the vowel "a", except that it

is stretched to the left and right, the lip attitude is like

someone laughing, the position of the tongue

sideways and slightly pulled up. To pronounce the

vowel "i", the shape of the mouth is almost the same

as the pronunciation of the vowel "e", except that the

upper and lower lips are rather tightened like a smile.

To pronounce the vowel "o", the mouth is opened

slightly wide and both lips are rounded and the tongue

is pulled inward. The lips form a "trumpet" of the

lower jaw, the tip of the tongue is located at the root

of the lower teeth and the back, the tongue is flat and

relaxed. To pronounce the vowel "u", the mouth is

opened smaller, the shape of the lips and the position

of the tongue are the same as in "o" except that the

back tongue is rounded up slightly (Katamsi, 2011).

How to practice articulation or pronunciation

in vowels a, e, i, o, u, to form the correct mouth

position can be done by sounding long tones

beginning with tone 1 (do) or "C" or tone 3 ( mi) or

"E", then it can be done by increasing the ½ tone

continuously. Here's an example of a long notation for

practicing articulation in vowels.

Notasi 4: Latihan huruf vokal a,e,i,o,u dengan notasi

panjang

In addition, it can be three tones or

solmization 1 3 5 1 5 3 1 (do mi sol do sol mi do) with

arpeggio. This is done repeatedly by raising the half

pitch continuously, for example beginning with the

basic note "C", then going up "Cis", and going up

again "D" so on according to the ability of the sound

ambitus possessed (Okatara, 2011). The following is

an example of a notation for practicing articulation in

vowels.

Notasi 5: Latihan huruf vokal a,e,i,o,u dengan

trinada

3.1.5 Hyphenation, Interpretation, and

Expression.

Hyphenation of the sentence must pay attention to the

structure of the sentence, either sentence language or

musical sentence. By paying attention to the sentence

of language, it is necessary to study the meaning of

the poem, poet, history, and background of the poem.

Likewise in sentences, music needs to pay attention

to punctuation in music and signs of legato or signs

of break (silence). However, many composers make

a phrase in a musical sentence that does not match the

phrase in the sentence of language (, 1972). This is

because the composer wants to give certain nuances.

Singing a song by a singer is required to be able to

interpret or convey a message from the composer. In

addition, in singing a song, an expression is needed as

an expression of the meaning of the song delivered.

After the theory is completed, then the

students actualize and implement the theory of basic

techniques of singing in the practice of singing, on

songs whose intervals are rather difficult. In this case,

take the Indonesian seriosa song entitled "Wanita",

and "Cempaka Kuning" because this song has a

difficult interval or pitch. The learning process in the

practice of singing begins with reading the notes

together, then the lyrics, and singing by implementing

the correct basic singing techniques, such as

diaphragmatic breathing, clear pronunciation or

The Application of Sibelius Software as a Learning Medium of Vocal Class Methods

articulation, correct placement of the resonance

cavity.

3.2 The Application of "Sibelius" Software

and Effectiveness in Course Learning of

Vocal Class Method

The Application of Sibelius Software in the learning

of vocal class method course was done during

singing practice learning. This "Sibelius" software

serves to accompany the song that will be delivered.

The practice of singing in learning was done as an

implementation of the theoretical lecture material that

has been given. This singing practice was followed by

65 students who took the course, which was done in

a classical and group manner. The practice of singing

was given in the last six meetings, namely the tenth

to fifteenth meeting.

The process in the application of Sibelius

Software in subject learning vocal class method

begins by writing piano notations from parts of the

songs "Wanita" and "Cempaka Kuning" with the

Sibelius Software. After completing writing the part,

it was then used as "Midi" as a companion that can be

raised and lowered the tone as desired. The

application of Sibelius Software as a song

accompaniment can simplify the learning process.

Moreover, the teachers focus more in observing and

controlling students who are practicing singing. The

examples of writing introduction part of the songs

entitled "Wanita" and "Cempaka Kuning" in Sibelius

Software are as follows.

Notasi 6: Introduksi lagu “Wanita” dalam Software

“Sibelius”.

Notasi 7: Introduksi lagu “Cempaka Kuning” dalam

Software “Sibelius”.

Singing practice with the accompaniment of

Sibelius software is very helpful and more effective,

compared to direct piano accompaniment. Yet all of

them have advantages and disadvantages of each. The

advantage of singing with accompaniment of

Sibelius software is the teachers find it easier and

focus on observing students, while the disadvantage

is that students must follow the accompaniment and

it is less free in expressing a song. Unlike singing with

piano accompaniment, students are more free to

express themselves, because the accompanists follow

the singer. With a number of 65 students taking

classes in the vocal class method, if accompanied

directly it would be tiring for the accompanists and

teachers to be less able to focus on students who

practice singing.

The impacts of the use of Sibelius Software in

the learning process of the vocal class method on the

practice of singing are students have more control

over the correct mistakes in implementing singing

techniques. In addition, the accompaniment of

Sibelius Software can help students learn to sing

independently, both at home and on campus.

Therefore, the application of Sibelius Software for

writing piano accompaniment notation is more

effective and efficient in the course learning process

of vocal class method with a total of 65 students.

4 CONCLUSIONS

Based on the explanation of the results achieved, it

can be concluded that the learning process of the

vocal class methods in Music Education Study

Program can be done through several stages. The

learning process of the vocal class method course

begins with planning to make a lecture contract and

RPS (Semester Learning Plan). Then carry out the

learning process according to the prepared program

plan. Furthermore, evaluation of learning outcomes is

carried out through assessment both in the form of

theory and practice. The course learning process of

vocal class method is given material theoretically

about the steps and basic techniques of singing well

and correctly. The basic techniques of singing are

how to produce sounds such as the use of breathing,

the use of resonance, the correct pronunciation of

articulation and at the same time actualizing it. This

course is given for 16 meetings with material theory

and practice of singing.

The application of Sibelius software in singing

practice learning in the vocal class method is used to

accompany the songs "Wanita" and "Cempaka

Kuning". The application of Sibelius Software as a

song accompaniment can simplify the learning

process. In addition, the teachers have more focus in

CREATIVEARTS 2019 - 1st International Conference on Intermedia Arts and Creative

observing and controlling students who are practicing

singing. Although students are less free to express

themselves in singing, this media is more effective

and efficient.

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The Application of Sibelius Software as a Learning Medium of Vocal Class Methods