How to Sing (Meine Gesangskunst) is a collection of essays and practical instruction on vocal technique by the noted soprano Lilli Lehmann. Drawing on her stage experience, it discusses breath, resonance, registers, head voice, and the singer's physiological awareness. It remains valuable for singers, teachers, and anyone curious about the traditions of classical vocal pedagogy.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
HOW TO SING [MEINE GESANGSKUNST] BY LILLI LEHMANN Madame Lilli Lehmann TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY RICHARD ALDRICH New York THE MACMILLAN COMPANY LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., Ltd. 1902 All rights reserved Copyright, 1902, By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped November, 1902. Norwood Press J.S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith Norwood Mass. U.S.A.
CONTENTS My Purpose 1 My Title to write on the Art of Song 5 SECTION I Preliminary Practice 11 SECTION II Of the Breath 19 SECTION III Of the Breath and Whirling Currents 27 SECTION IV The Singer's Physiological Studies 35 SECTION V Equalizing the Voice; Breath; Form 45 SECTION VI The Attack 69 SECTION VII Nasal. Nasal Singing 73 SECTION VIII
Singing toward the Nose. Head Voice 78 SECTION IX The Head Voice 86 SECTION X Sensation and Position of the Tongue 99 SECTION XI The Sensations of the Palate 102 SECTION XII The Sensation of the Resonance of the Head Cavities 108 SECTION XIII Singing Covered 123 SECTION XIV On Vocal Registers 133 SECTION XV Development and Equalization 142 SECTION XVI White Voices 154 SECTION XVII
Theodor Wachtel 158 SECTION XVIII The Highest Head Tones 162 SECTION XIX Extension of the Compass and Equalization of Registers 169 SECTION XX The Tremolo 170 >SECTION XXI The Cure 176 SECTION XXII The Tongue 181 SECTION XXIII Preparation for Singing 189 SECTION XXIV The Position of the Mouth (Contraction of the Muscles of Speech) 192 SECTION XXV Connection of Vowels 196
SECTION XXVI The Lips 212 SECTION XXVII The Vowel Sound AH 214 SECTION XXVIII Italian and German 219 SECTION XXIX Auxiliary Vowels 226 SECTION XXX Resonant Consonants 229 SECTION XXXI Practical Exercises 232 SECTION XXXII The Great Scale 239 SECTION XXXIII Velocity 245 SECTION XXXIV Trill 251
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