How to Study A Song
Learn to hear the piece mentally from beginning to end.
This
is your only weapon: ‘only sure knowledge‘
1. Translate
the words exactly.
2. Check each syllable phonetically until you know it by ear.
3. Tap out rhythm separately.
4. Speak the words in time with a metronome. Do not sing.
5. Play the tune with one finger (if necessary) phrase by phrase; most
vocal trouble comes from insecurity of pitch, rhythm, and vowel meaning.
6. Play the tune in time and speak the words without singing.
7. Sing the words in time on a monotone.
8. Sing the tune in time on any vowel you choose.
9. Relax and forget about it for 2 hours.
10. Imagine pitch, vowel, volume, and quality before opening the mouth to sing.*
*Tetrazzini
