George Peckham's Vocal Master Class

George Peckham, born in 1900, was one of the greatest vocal teachers of the Twentieth Century. He learned to sing in the 1920's from some of the finest European master teachers from the 1800's, who learned to sing long before the microphone was invented. This rare footage of George is preserved in this half hour video compilation of some of his essential teaching philosophies, now long-lost to the ages except for this video and his surviving students, who were lucky enough to learn from him. His students included Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart, jazz singer Ernestine Anderson, and songstress Judy Collins. George was one of the last teachers who learned from the Opera greats of the 19th century, and his humorous style of teaching and wisdom passed down through the ages are a Godsend for those students who are confused by the modern proliferation of techniques that have gone so far afield from the original pedagogy. Watch, listen, and learn from a Master Teacher now long gone from this world. This is the way professional singers learned to fill a hall long before the invention of the microphone and sound systems. "Let your breath be your friend, not your enemy." God Bless and Keep You, George.

[@NativeHorsemanship]

I studied with him for 9 years, and he was the very very best! I've had a great career and can still sing after thousands of shows. Thanks to George ❤️❤️❤️

[@johnsheehan756]

I'm so happy to have found this. My bandmates and I took lessons from Mr. Peckham during the 1970's in Seattle. I still think of him and his lessons often. He was a wonderful teacher and an inspirational mentor.

[@pijonydotru]

isn't it time you kept the flame going?

[@michaelpgreenleaf]

I am SO very grateful to have found this video! Thank you for sharing it! I worked with George in the mid-late 80's. He was an indescribably wonderful gift in my life. Please, don't ever take this down. I will share it as best I can.

[@pacificnwrealtypropertyman6944]

Great seeing this, love the man, worked with him in the 80's, very supportive no matter what your style of music was. His home was filled with a life of music.

[@paddyboyfoots]

I took lessons from George in the late 70's. He was such a maestro!

[@davidjensen4793]

Thank you so much for posting this rare video of George. Those of us that were lucky enough to obtain the original copy of this in the early 90's when it was made have eternally benefited from the best voice teacher, mentor, and just plain great friend you could ever find. I was so fortunate to meet and take lessons from George in April 1988 up through my last lesson shortly before his passing in December 1994. Now basically 30 years later of non stop singing in the grind of Clubs, Casinos, and over 4000 shows, i can say with 100% certainty it was George's concepts and mentorship that has been the backbone of my ability to sing and perform at a constant and consistent level without EVER losing my voice.. Blessings to George and his family that he left behind.

[@NativeHorsemanship]

Yes! Me too! Thousands of shows, my new album will be my 20th. All thanks to George that I can still sing!

[@timkbt]

George got upset with me during one of my lessons. He said quit trying to sound like someone else. He went on to say sound like yourself and then out sing them. I’ve noticed that many of his students still have all of their range. I got to meet Judy Collins in 2019. She was seated during the meet and greet. I showed her a picture of George and asked her if she knew this guy. I got no response and then I said didn’t your dad know George weren’t they really good friends? She turned and looked at me and said with the most loving look on her face “George was my father’s best friend…they went to college together and were fraternity brothers. She went on to tell me that after she moved to Denver that George would fly out and visit up until her father passed away.

[@michellekatarina17]

What he said is soooo true and great. I am professional singer and I do agree with everything. In the end, singing is natural and the idea of “si canta come si parla” is totally correct. To bad you don’t have more videos...anyway, a big Thank you for posting this amazing lesson. Hope to see more of it in the future. 💖🎶🙏🏻✌️😇🌞

[@brywool]

This is so cool to see. It’s like I have time travelled back to my first lessons with George. Thanks for posting it.

[@vinlpaul3]

Excellent images and teaching. Thank u.

[@3oldman]

Wonderful teacher.... taught me there is no such thing as a 'high' or 'low' note

[@peterglass6357]

I took lessons from George along with John Sheehan (comment below). I don't recall how we connected with George, but it was a god-send. For reasons that I still don't understand, I sang most of the lead vocals in our band. I always felt John had a better voice than I and Wesley (our drummer) had the best voice in the band (my opinion). George was a fabulous teacher, he was a fabulous musician, he was a fabulous person. He taught without judgment. I don't recall that he ever told any of us (John, Wes and I would take lessons together) that we had done something wrong.His teaching method was based on finding joy with your voice. I traded a recording of a seminar presented by Leonard Bernstein for a copy of Heart's 1st album. I think we both felt we got the better deal

[@theguyfromberlin]

Wow. This is priceless. Thank you for sharing.

[@jezilmehta]

Thank you , so amazingly explained

[@myselfyourself391]

Bob, what was she source of this video? I have hours of lessons on tape from George of anyone would be interested in going through them with me. Circa mid 80s. Thank you for posting this!

[@futurefingers]

I would love to go through some of the tapes ... just message me. Thanks

[@cliffworks748]

Hi Myself, any way I can see them online I live in Tokyo thank you - cliffatcliffworks.net

[@pijonydotru]

@@cliffworks748 it's so useful. It belongs to humanity. Make people aware of this. Share.

[@estelleperrault9929]

Hello, could I ask to see some of that content ? I have been looking for such content for so long, and struggling with singing technique. This would be really helpful, please contact me estelle014 at aol dot com or through my website estelleperrault.com thank you so much

[@NativeHorsemanship]

I transcribed all his lessons from tapes (9 years!!) And they were lost during a move, but I had taught from the notebook of transcripts at so many vocal workshops that I remember most of it. I would love love love to hear any of his recorded lessons again.

[@kaichinn]

I miss him, he taught me and Tom Thew vocal for a couple years and i look forward to seeing him when i get to heaven! :)

[@saradambrosca4815]

Bellissimo documento 🤗

[@hinrich1962]

Bob, Do you know if George wrote a book on his methods? Also, do you know anyone who has access to his "Circle of George" and writings on voice?

[@estelleperrault9929]

I have been looking for this too ! Have you found anything since then ?

[@NativeHorsemanship]

I did transcribe 9 years of lessons with George and taught vocal workshops from that notebook of transcriptions for years. I remember lots, but sadly the notebook was lost during a move. I was devastated, but I do remember lots. Hopefully we can find the Circle of George!

[@estelleperrault9929]

Thank you so much for the share. Would you know where I can find material I could purchase on George Peckham's singing technique. I can't seem to find anything on the web. I live in France.

[@NativeHorsemanship]

It is the ancient Italian method....I had transcribed all 9 years of my lessons, and lost the notebook during a move 💔💔but I had taught his stuff at many many vocal workshops. Glad to help with anything [e-mail]