Dynamics and sustain · Intermediate · Classical
Garcia: sustained tones, half step by half step
Manuel Garcia's first study: single long notes of equal strength, moving up a half step at a time, so every note of the range gets the same care. He limited it to a few minutes at first.
How to do it
- One long, steady note on "ah", then "eh".
- Same strength from start to end.
- Stop before the top of your range, not at it.
Remember Equal strength, every note.
Take care A few minutes at a time to begin with, as Garcia advised.
| Numbers | 1 |
|---|---|
| Sargam | S |
| Solfa | do |
| Notes | G |
| Sung on | ah |
Where it comes from
More dynamics and sustain
Vibrato trigger
Swinging between two notes a semitone apart, faster and faster, until the swing becomes a natural vibrato on the long note..
Messa di voce
Soft, grow, soft on one note: the classic test of breath and balance from the bel canto school.
Swell over the scale
Get louder up the scale and softer coming down.
Long note, fading
Fading a long note without losing pitch or tone is harder than getting louder.