Small tutorial on how to learn classical repertoire

1. How to learn art songs and arias

2. Step 1
• Research the composer
Understanding who the composer is, their
musical styling, etc. is important
• If singing an aria- research who the character
is, what the show is about, and where in the
music the aria takes place

3. Step 2
• Translate the language
In order to sing it, you must first understand
what it is you are singing about!

4. Step 3
• Learn the text separately, as a monologue
Singing is already multitasking at its finest.
Make it easier on your brain by learning the
text first so that you do not have to worry
about stumbling over the words. This also
gives you the advantage in acting it out.

5. Step 4
• Learn the rhythm
There is no need to stumble over pitches and
rhythms at the same time. Taking time to
learn the rhythm will give you a solid
foundation when it comes time to perform

6. Step 5
• Practice using a neutral syllable when learning
pitch
When learning the pitches, a neutral syllable
such as “dee” makes it easier to focus on the
notes themselves without stumbling over the
text

7. Step 6
• Practice using only the vowels of each word
By taking away the consonants, you are
allowing the vowel to receive the emphasis.
This concentration allows you to feel the
placement of each vowel in each word. For
example, the word “away” would be sung as
“ah-eh”

8. Step 7
• Put everything together!
By now, things should be a lot easier to
navigate than trying to learn everything at
once.

9. Tips for practicing
Now that you have learned everything
separately and pieced them together, practice
sections at a time rather than the entire
work every time you practice. For example, in
Lascia Chio Pianga, you may wish to work on the
A section or start immediately on the B section
exclusively. I like to work my hardest section first
sometimes. Then when it comes around in the
song, it doesn’t seem so daunting.