BEAUTIFUL SINGING! That’s what it means. Bel canto is a style of singing. It became popular in the 19th century. Well, without further ado let us begin to explore Bel Canto Singing and it’s techniques.
What is Bel Canto in Singing?
It is an Italian style of singing. The word ‘Bel Canto’ translates to ‘Beautiful Singing’. This peculiar style revolves around the opera and focuses exclusively on the elegance and expressive beauty of vocals ie., human voice. Bel Canto techniques focus on the singer’s talent to sing flowing melodies smoothly with substantial control and expressions.
What is the Origin of Bel Canto?
Dates back to Renaissance and Baroque periods when roots of music and singing skills began getting people’s attention. It’s not that music didn’t exist before that! It did but developed into many other styles and genres. Bel canto style predominantly emerged during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Popular Italian composers and other tutors decided to arrange the singing techniques and other principles into Bel canto “school” of singing.
Many other composers and talents incorporated the Bel Canto techniques in their compositions and performance and this contributed significantly in the development of Bel Canto singing.
Did You Know?
Giovanni Battista Rubini was a popular Italian Tenor singer. He contributed to the development of Bel canto vocal training.
What are the Qualities of Bel Canto Singing?
Any style or genre of singing has unique qualities. That’s what makes it sound distinguished from the other styles. Let’s look at the qualities of Bel Canto.
Human Voice
Bel canto style is all about the vocal cord anatomy. It is the central focus element. The vocals remain in the spotlight while the instrument accompaniment supports the vocals. Usually Piano or orchestra is used as an accompaniment. Bel canto vocal training emphasizes expressiveness and developing a clear, warm and even tone.
Tone Quality
Since the word ‘Bel Canto’ literally means ‘Beautiful Singing’, the beautiful and resonating tone is its most defining point of the style! Warm tones that are pleasing to listen to are one of the aims of Bel canto singers. Not just them, just about every singer aims to produce a beautiful resonation tone. Tone qualities are usually determined by the smooth and even quality of the voice throughout the performance.
One should concentrate on the ability to have a consistent tone no matter the Dynamics used. Be it loud or soft, maintaining a consistent tone makes your voice sound rich and clear.
Ornamentation
One of the best qualities of Bel canto singing is Vocal ornamentation. Think of the ornaments on a Christmas tree, to make it look decorative. Just like ornaments such as trills, runs, grace notes are used to increase the beauty of the singing. This also showcases the abilities and technical understanding of a singer.
Types of Ornaments in Bel Canto Singing
Here are some of the ornamentations used in Bel canto opera.
TRILLS: Used on long notes that need to be sustained. It is sung between two adjacent notes.
MORDENTS: Are a rapid shift between three notes. It used to enhance a melody that is typically slow and fast.
APPOGGIATURA: This is a kind of grace note that’s sung before the main notes.
ACCIACCATURA: It is very similar to appoggiatura but is sung very quickly.
GLISSANDO: It is used for smooth transition between two notes.
CADENZA: It is used at the end of an aria. Cadenza is a free form passage where singers can show-off their technical and interpretative skills.
Phrasing
Yet another quality of bel canto singing is Expressive Phrasing. Well, in simple words, it refers to the art of interpreting and conveying the emotion of the text in music. This can be achieved using vocal techniques such as Dynamics in music and Articulation. These techniques enhance the influences of emotion and expression.
Why do Singers Need to be Expressive while Singing Bel Canto?
You may ask! Well, every performer’s goal is to communicate with the audience and connect with the listeners. And to achieve its vitality one needs to be expressive.
Even Tone
We could say Bel Canto demands an even and a consistent tone in all the voice registers ie., throughout the pitches of a singer’s Vocal Range. Even tone and timbre from the lowest to highest pitches used in the piece of music is essential to Bel Canto Opera.
It is also important to practice smooth transitions between the Voice Registers. No sudden increase in the volume during high pitches is an excellent tip! Even tone in Bel Canto techniques reduces the chances of disturbing the beauty of the sound throughout the performance.
Other Vocal Techniques Bel Canto singing Precision
Vocal precision is a matter of significance to Bel Canto singing. Wondering what that is? Singers need to show and have good control over a few vocal techniques like,
Breathing: Long phrases add beauty to melodies. This is undeniable. To make the long phrase sound elegant, breath control is very important. Try Diaphragmatic Breathing for enhanced breath support.
Legato: This Legato singing technique used to sing smoothly connecting the notes.
Vocal Agility: In simple words, the ability to manage rapid passage with moving pitches with accuracy and easily.
How Did Bel Canto Style Develop?
The introduction to Bel canto dates back to the early 18th century. Italian composers and music tutors started to adapt the style. Some key figures including Rubini, a tenor singer and Garcia, a popular music tutor contributed immensely in shaping the style.
Bel canto techniques were at its peak in the early 19th century. Many composers used the style to showcase their technical and expressive works.
For example, composers like Gioachino Rossini were renowned for his lively rhythms and fast vocal passages that could bring out the great skills of singers.
Ever heard of Belini’s compositions? He was renowned for his flowing melodies that made singers be most expressive.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, Bel canto can be a byproduct of musical experiments from Music Composers and singers expressing the beauty of the written piece adding great many qualities of the music style.
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FAQs
What is Bel Canto?
It is an Italian style of singing. The word ‘Bel Canto’ translates to ‘Beautiful Singing’.
What are the key principles of the Bel canto technique?
The key principles of the Bel canto technique is that it focuses exclusively on the elegance and expressive beauty of vocals ie., human voice. The singer’s talent to sing flowing melodies smoothly with substantial control and expressions.
What are some of Bel canto vocal exercises ?
Bel canto vocal exercises includes, Breathing exercises, scales and arpeggios and agility exercises.
Who are some famous Bel canto singers throughout history?
Some of the famous Bel canto singers throughout history include Maria Callas, Luciano Pavorotti, Rubini and Enrico Caruso.
Is there Particular Bel canto repertoire?
Yes, there is. Bel canto repertoire focuses mainly on emphasis on melody, technical skills and expressive singing of a singer.
Can anyone learn to sing Bel canto, or is it only for certain voice types?
Anyone can learn to sing Bel canto style.
Related blog: Everything You Need To Know About Opera Singing!
