Understanding Phrasing in Singing

First, let's define phrasing in case you're not familiar with the term. Phrasing is the art of creating musical sentences when you sing. Think of each note as a word. When we speak, we don't say one word, stop, and then say another word as if it's part of a new sentence. Instead, we create thoughts by combining long strings of words. We want to do the same when we sing. We aim for musical sentences that have beginnings and ends, accented and unaccented syllables, and meaning. There are two main approaches to achieving this, and they yield drastically different results.

Sing the Text First

One effective approach is to emphasize the actual sentence rather than the music. This method is particularly useful in songs that emphasize storytelling or dialogue, such as those in musical theater. In this approach, you imitate speech in every possible way and inflect the pitches rather than strictly singing them.

For clarity, let's consider an example:

Imagine we are singing the phrase, "Hey, that's my apple that you took." In this case, let's say the first and last syllables are the lowest sounding, while the "a" in "apple" is the highest note. If we focus on the text, we might sing "Hey" with extra strength, "my" with a hint of sass, and "you took" with some anger. Here, the pitches of the notes are less important; we are bringing out the words.

Sing the Pitches First

On the other hand, if we sing the pitches first, we tend to ignore the text in favor of the notes. In our previous example, we would sing "hey" and "took" with less power, as they are the lowest notes, while emphasizing the high note "a" in "apple." You may notice that the emphasis points are nearly entirely different. Moreover, with this approach, there are times when lines of text are broken in half to ensure the music flows smoothly.

In contemporary music, this is the more common approach, and it is often what listeners enjoy hearing. If you think back on songs you know but can't quite remember the lyrics, the singer was likely using this method. Conversely, if you can recall the words of a song you don't listen to often, the singer was probably emphasizing the text more.

Finding the Balance

Both of these options are legitimate strategies. Ideally, you'd be able to balance the two ideas. To get started, choose the approach you prefer and focus on that first. It's more important to avoid a bland, directionless phrase of music than to worry about which option to emphasize initially. Remember, you can always adjust your approach later if you find that you don't like the one you chose.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding phrasing is essential for effective singing. Whether you choose to emphasize the text or the pitches, each approach has its merits. By practicing both methods, you can develop a more dynamic and expressive singing style. If you need help, sign up for a singing lesson by clicking here.

By mastering phrasing, you can elevate your singing and connect more deeply with your audience. Remember, the goal is to create musical sentences that resonate and convey emotion. Happy singing!