SOME IMPORTANT MAXIMS AND THEIR MEANING

We have all read or heard sayings that easily & simply describe an important element of the classical singer’s craft & art. 

Over the years I have collected many wise sayings made by major singers and teachers, as well as forming my own. For the next few Blogs I will share some of them with you according to the various principles of healthy classical singing.

> “A BEAUTIFUL TONE IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT” (Thomas Hampson,
Amerian Baritone) –   

  “THE BODY RESPONDS TO THE STRONG THOUGHT.
IT IS THE THOUGHT THAT IS IMPORTANT”  (Mathilde Marchesi “Bel
Canto: A Theoretical & Practical Vocal Method” – Dover Press)

  “EVERY VOCAL TONE IS A MENTAL CONCEPT MADE AUDIBLE”
(Thomas Hemsley,”Singing and the Imagination” – Oxford Press)                

  “KEEP THOUGHTS SIMPLE AND STRONG” (Mathilde Marchesi)

“KEEP YOUR BRAIN AHEAD OF YOUR VOICE”  (Benita Valente,
American soprano – Master Class)

   “ALWAYS MENTALLY PREPARE THE PHRASE TO BE SUNG
BOTH IN VOCALIZES AND REPERTOIRE:  (Mathilde Marchesi)

    “MENTALLY SEE THE GESTURE OF EACH PHRASE BEFORE YOU SING
IT” (Bejun Mehta, American Counter Tenor)

   ” “KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS SIMPLE, BUT NO SIMPLER”  (Albert
Einstein) 

THE IMPORTANCE OF DICTION AND THE ITALIAN VOWELS/CONSONANTS:

    “IN THE FIRST ITALIAN VOWEL ARE ALL THE OTHER VOWELS” 
(Nico Castel, Diction Coach – Master Class))

“ITALIAN VOWELS AND CONSONANTS CONFORM ENTIRELY WITH
THE NATURAL LAWS OF VOICE PRODUCTION”(Mario Marafioti
– “Caruso & The Culture of The  Singing  Voice” – Dover Press )

  “THE SOUND & RYHTHM OF THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE IS ONE OF
THE PILLARS OF THE BEL CANTO SCHOOL”(Marco Canepa
Italian Coach – Guild Hall, Londnn – Royal Opera Covent Garden
La Scuola di Bel Canto, Urbania 2018) 

  “ALWAYS ENERGIZE YOUR FIRST VOWEL TO FORM A LEGATO
PHRASE” (Marco Canepa)

“THE VOICED CONSONANT IS THE PILOT FOR THE VOWEL”
(Richard Miller)

“VOCALIZATION IS VOWELIZATION” (Thomas Hampson)
…………………………………………………………..

THE IMPORTANCE OF “THE SINGER`S BREATH”: 

“APPOGGIARE BREATH MANAGEMENT IS QUITE SIMPLY
A BALANCED COORDINATION BETWEEN INHALATION
& EXHALATION MUSCLES. (Richard Miller -“The Structure of
Singing” Shirmer Books) 

“THE SLOWER YOU TAKE THE BREATH THE LONGER IT WILL
LAST” (Mathilde Marchesi)

        “THE ART OF BREATHING, ONCE ACQUIRED, THE STUDENT HAS
TAKEN  A CONSIDERABLE STEP ON THE ROAD TO PARNASSUS
(Enrico Caruso – “The ArT of Singing” – Dover Press)  

“CHI SA RESPIRARE SA CANTARE”  “HE WHO KNOWS HOW TO
BREATHE KNOWS HOW TO SING (Manuel Garcia Sr.)

“IT IS THE FINE COORDINATION OF THE BREATH MECHANISM  & THE
VOCAL TRACK THIS IS OUR GOAL” (Richard Miller “The Structure
of Singing” – Schirmer Books)

<"THE INHALATION IS THE UPBEAT TO EVERY PHRASE"   (JPY)

  “AS LONG AS THE TONE LASTS THE GENTLE BUT UNINTERRUPTED
FLOW OF THE BREATH MUST CONTINUE UNDER IT” 
  (Luisa Tetrazini, Italian soprano –  “The Art of Singing” –
Dover Press)

“THINK ‘INHALE/INHALE” RATHER THAN INHALE/EXHALE” AS YOU SING”
(Thomas Hampson – MSM –  Master Class)

  “ALWAYS SING ON THE “GESTURE OF INHALATION”  (Richard Miller)

“FEEL THE AIR SETTLE BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR PHRASE” (Luciano
Pavarotti)

…………………………………………………………………….

Each singer will, of course, create their own way of describing in words their thoughts & sensations on singing and technique.    The above maxims may open a window on mental imagery.   Do not hesitate to develop your own maxims that come from your keen imagination.     I look forward to reading  some of them.   So feel free to send one along.  (joanpatenaude@gmail.com)