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S4o TRAINING THE SINGING VOICE
theme of the song and thus appeals to the aesthetic and intellectual com. prehension of the audience. The whole purpose of singing is to vitalize the text, in that singing is a means of emotional intensification in vocal tone that expresses thought and feeling values in poetic forms. Therefore, a primary stage in interpreting the text is to comprehend its spoken message, a step that the singer can facilitate by speaking its context aloud, so as to capture its essential meaning in the plain tones of everyday conversation. Following this, a secondary stage of declamatory or intensified utterance is recommended, utilizing the quasi-musical recitative style of singing. As a final stage, the rendition of the text in its full musical form may be attempted. Thus, the mastery of the text proceeds through three easy stages, conversational, recitative and musical, toward the artistic rendition of the complete song.
Song selection. The preparation of a singing repertoire marks the culmination of technical study in vocal training. Here, the teacher's primary concern is that musical compositions of suitable texture and scope be chosen to match the student's technical development. Such factors as compass and tessitura, simplicity of style and communicablHty of text are suggested criteria for selecting songs.
Foreign language study. The preponderance of teacher and artist opinion favors foreign language study, notably Italian, as part of the regular vocal training program of the singer. The advocates of Italian claim for it certain vocal advantages, such as vowel purity, superior euphony, ease of legato singing and the availability of an extensive song literature in this language. The opinions against foreign language study are epitomized in Bavid Bispham's statement, quoted from a leaflet Issued by the American Academy of Teachers of Singing In 1932. "English Is just as easy to mug as any other language if we but . . . know how to pronounce it* The only thing bad about English as a song medium Is bad English. . . . Get away from this foreign-language fad and you will find yourself nearer the heart of your [English-speaking] public" [703]
Memorization. The memorization of songs is the generally accepted
method of building a student's repertoire, a procedure that is said to
develop accuracy and self assurance in singing.
Note connection. The type of note connection used by the singer (I.e.,
legato m staccato) determines the melodic continuity or flow of vocal tone In the song. Legato is described as a process of vowel connection or vowel blending, the transitions from vowel to vowel being effected with minimum Intrusions of consonant breaks or pauses into the tonal line. Always sing notes in groups or phrases, rather than as individual |
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