How to Sing (Meine Gesangskunst)

Lilli Lehmann (1848 - 1929)
Translated by Richard Aldrich (1863 - 1937)

Lilli Lehmann, born Elisabeth Maria Lehmann, was a German operatic soprano of phenomenal versatility. She was also a voice teacher.

She wrote: "Every serious artist has a sincere desire to help others reach the goal—the goal toward which all singers are striving: to sing well and beautifully." This is the 1915 second (expanded) edition of her book, and the accompanying online book scan includes many illustrations and diagrams, both physiological and musical, which the listener will find useful.

Much of Lilli Lehmann's advice is complex and demanding - the standards which she set for herself were beyond the highest aspirations of most professional singers. However, there is still much in this book that is enlightening to all those who are interested in using their voice to best advantage, both in song and the spoken word. (Summary by Ruth Golding and Wikipedia)

Genre(s): Education, Music, Self-Help

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 00 - Preface; My Purpose; My Title to Write on the Art of Song Ruth Golding
00:13:50
Play 01 01 - Section I: Preliminary Practice Ruth Golding
00:09:37
Play 02 02 - Section II: Of the Breath Ruth Golding
00:12:59
Play 03 03 - Section III: Of the Breath and Whirling Currents Ruth Golding
00:08:31
Play 04 04 - Section IV: The Singer's Physiological Studies Ruth Golding
00:10:03
Play 05 05 - Section V: Equalizing the Voice - Form Ruth Golding
00:13:49
Play 06 06 - Section VI: The Attack and the Vowels Ruth Golding
00:20:42
Play 07 07 - Sections VII - VIII: Nasal Singing; The Head Voice Ruth Golding
00:20:17
Play 08 08 - Sections IX - XII: Sensations of Tongue, Nose, Palate and Resonance of Head Cavities Ruth Golding
00:12:06
Play 09 09 - Sections XIII - XIV: On Vocal Registers; Development and Equalization Ruth Golding
00:17:58
Play 10 10 - Section XV - XVI: White Voices; Theodor Wachtel Ruth Golding
00:08:44
Play 11 11: Section XVII: Highest Head Tones Ruth Golding
00:06:24
Play 12 12: Sections XVIII - XIX: The Tremolo; The Cure Ruth Golding
00:12:30
Play 13 13 - Sections XX - XXI: The Tongue; Preparations for Singing Ruth Golding
00:10:08
Play 14 14 - Sections XXII - XXIV: Position of the Mouth; Connection of Vowels; The Lips Ruth Golding
00:15:35
Play 15 15 - Sections XXV - XXVII: The Vowel Sound AH; Italian and German; Auxiliary Vowels Ruth Golding
00:18:12
Play 16 16 - Sections XXVIII - XXX: Resonant Consonants; Practical Exercises; The Great Scale Ruth Golding
00:21:18
Play 17 17 - Sections XXXI - XXXII: Velocity; Trill Ruth Golding
00:12:58
Play 18 18 - Section XXXIII: How to Hold One's Self when Practising Ruth Golding
00:08:32
Play 19 19 - Section XXXIV: Pronunciation - Consonants Ruth Golding
00:39:10
Play 20 20 - Sections XXXV - XXXVI: Concerning Expression; Before the Public Ruth Golding
00:08:43
Play 21 21 - Section XXXVII - XXXVIII and Note: Interpretation; In Conclusion; Remedy for Catarrh and Hoarseness Ruth Golding
00:21:37