Customer Reviews

Practical Method of Italian Singing : New Edition - Mezzo Soprano (Alto) or Baritone

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In Italy Vaccaj's volume is available in a Ricordi edition edited by Mr Battaglia, but I guess and hope the real content, meaning the wonderful little arias, is just the same.

First of all, unless you already have a clearly defined vocal range, I suggest you buy the edition for mezzo/baritone, whose range is really a medium one and is good for nearly every voice. Later on, you can buy the edition more suitable to your register.

This small booklet is small in size only.
A beloved textbook, it should be the basis for anyone wishing to train as a singer.
The short, apparently simple arias, are the masterpiece of a genius didactitian: every note, every interval, every sillable of the text is perfect and perfectly suited to educate the inexperienced singer. Those who despise the text as too simple should be ashamed of their musical skills: there is nothing simple here. The arias can be sung by beginners but to sing them properly you have to be a perfectly accomplished artist.
Once you have completed the course you will be able to declare yourself competent in singing.

Another fact is that the arias are beautiful. Vaccaj was not a great composer but he was a wonderful craftsman. All the short arias are small gems, very pleasing to the ear, with nice piano score.

Last but not least this method will be extremely useful to pianists too: technically it is not difficult but it is a wonderful way to learn how to accompany a singer, a very difficult skill.

I have been using this method for the last couple of months and I cannot get tired of it. You will have the most useful buy of your singing career for a couple of dollars. Do not miss it.

I used Vaccai a million years ago when I took opera lessons for 8 years, and just ordered a copy for my son, who is starting voice lessons soon. I went on to earn a music degree, and did extremely well on the dreaded Wednesday sight-singing test required of all music majors. We took these tests every week for 3 years, and I know the reason I did so well is because I practiced Vaccai with devotion! Each piece focuses on a different interval, and trains both the ear & the vocal mechanism just how far to jump.
For a technique book, the melodies are delightful! The accompaniments are boring, but anyone wanting to learn to sing their intervals with exactness will benefit from this book.

Vaccai's book has been used in many voice studios for decades, and is a cornerstone of vocal literature. The first songs teach intervals: scales, thirds, fourth, fifths, half-steps, etc. Later in the book, more skills are taught. It follows an order, just like beginning piano literature does. Songs are written on two lines, one for the Italian language and one for the English language.

I got exactly what I needed. I had to purchase the book for the voice lessons I am taking as a freshman in college, and I needed the book ASAP. I got the book and it was in mint condition. Perfect. =)

I found that, with the help of my instructor, this book was a key element to the sucess I found in bettering my vocal skills.