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Singing: A Call to Excellence Part 3
Stretching the Voice"Legato Singing"
To sing well, there is one very important component that we all can work on consistently: Legato (smooth) singing. By this we mean moving from one note to the next without breaking the tone. Perhaps the best way to illustrate this is via the Gospel hymn: "It Is Well With My Soul."
As you sing the first phrase ("When Peace like a river" etc.) do not use words, but sing the entire phrase on "ah". As you go from note to note, do not break the tone at all, BUT keep the tone steady from note to note. This hymn takes some breath, but vary the tempo depending on how much breath you have. After mastering the first phrase, then go on to the next, etc.
Be picky with yourself; do not let any "breaking" occur and keep the tone going between the notes. We'll talk briefly about this tonight. Assignment:
Practice this hymn every day!