How to Prepare an Art Song

Art songs are poetry to set a short song in the classical style of composing. These songs come in all languages and make great choices for young students who are preparing to sing in their school’s vocal solo competitions. Preparation is critical.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Look over your music completely. Learn all the directions on the page including the tempo, the key, the meter (does it have 3 beats per measure or 2 beats per measure). Also note any tempo changes in the song as well as all other markings besides the notes and the words that indicate how you will need to phrase the song or alter the tempo.

2. Read the poetry separately from the music. Notice where the natural accents come in the words. This will depend on the language as well as the poetic writing of the lines. Good composers fit the music to the accents of the language, so you can use the music to help you understand the language accents.

3. Practice speaking the words in rhythm. Pay attention to the sound of the vowels, and make sure similar vowels match from word to word. This will give your singing line consistency that is very pleasing to listen to.

4. Practice singing the words with the music and pay attention to only accenting the correct words and beats in each measure. Accenting wrong beats, also known as singing against the music, is very distracting to the listener and it’s much harder to sing that way.

5. Pay attention to the emotions and story of your poem. Find ways to color your words so that they sound like what they mean. For example, the word for “love” would be sung more sweetly than the word for “hate.” The word “sighing” would sound different from the word “laughing.”

Tips & Warnings

• It’s very important for any vocal student to be advised by a professional coach or singing teacher. Learning to sing this style of music takes skill and expertise. Investing in a the right teacher will ensure that you don’t form bad habits.
• Make sure that you get help with pronouncing a foreign language, and that whoever helps you is familiar with singing in that language. Sung French is much different than spoken French for example.
• Don’t forget to look at American art songs. We have a great wealth of wonderful art song composers in this country. However, if you do sing in American English, again be sure that you have someone to coach you sing in this language. Americans are notoriously sloppy speakers. You may not be understood if you try to sing without someone’s feedback and advice.