How Does
How Does an Opera Singer Train?
By Lauren Vork
eHow Contributing Writer
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Starting Early
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All singers must start work on their art early in life, even if it is only informal training (as is usually the case). Being exposed to a highly musical environment and encouraged in early attempts at vocalization will help a young person develop a sense of pitch--something that is very difficult to learn later in life.
Early lessons on a musical instrument, especially piano, will give a child a distinct advantage if she later grows up to become an aspiring opera singer.
Reading Music
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One of the first crucial elements of a professional singer's training involves learning the fundamentals of music theory and the practice of reading music. Since singing is a skill generally learned by ear and by rote repetition, the transition to learning to create sound based on printed notes can be a difficult one. Yet it is essential to prepare for professional settings in which singers will not have the luxury of having their parts sung to them.
Vocal Technique
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Vocal technique and musicality are the core elements of an opera singer's training. Proper physical vocal technique ensures the production of clear, resonant sounds, and is largely focused on keeping sound-producing muscles relaxed and utilizing proper breath support. For a singer, musical development entails the development of mature musical phrasing, control of pitch and dynamics, and mastery of vibrato. Singers must practice every day to develop and maintain these skills.
Drama and Dance
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Since opera is a form of theatrical drama, successful opera singers must be actors (and sometimes dancers) as well as singers. The training an opera singer undergoes to acquire these skills often depends on how interested she is in drama and basic movement for their own sake. Many opera singers are drawn to opera because they have an early interest in drama, and get their start in school and community-theater productions. Other singers must learn these skills later in their academic careers through such avenues as opera workshops, college acting courses or private coaching.
Foreign Language
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Since most popular operas are written in one of several (non-English) European languages, aspiring singers must study these languages. While they don't need to speak them fluently, they should have a good grasp of proper pronunciation of Italian, French and German. Like sight-reading, language pronunciation enables opera performers to better prepare their parts correctly based only on a printed score.
eHow Article: How Does an Opera Singer Train?
