Every phrase has a story to tell

By introducing the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) system to singers, the journey to understand the creation of poetry has begun. Each sound put into a line is chosen carefully by the poet; each phrasal progression brings you deeper emotional experience; each music setting elevates the nuance of the poetry. If you speak it well, you will sing it well. 

 

Studying IPA is not at all an easy task to finesse, though once you get a hang at it it greatly helps you with vocalising foreign words, and, in a long run, long phrases or language, whether you learn to speak or to sing. 

 

You are expressing the ideas of the text, not solely your voice

 

Unless we are performing Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, repertoire with words other than 'ah' requires more attention on the meaning. Even Caccini's Ave Maria contains two words that we have to understand and emote. Can we be sure that songs set in major keys are always pleasant and uplifting, while in minor keys are always sorrowful and unsettled? 

 

Our approach to study diction and songs

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Familiar with the sounds

Understand meaning of the words

Enlarge art song library

Listen critically to references

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