Vaccai’s Practical Method of Singing

Nicola Vaccai (1790 - 1848) was an Italian composer and singing teacher. He is particularly well-known for his work “Metodo pratico de canto”, published in 1832, which this course will take you through. Each song is carefully designed to teach a particular pedagogical concept, whether it is singing in specific intervals, or practising techniques like trills. This book is in indispensable introduction to western classical singing, and particularly singing in Italian. The lessons will take you on a step-by-step journey of mastering your voice. Vaccai exercises are integrated into popular singing examination syllabi such as that of Trinity College London.


Course contents

Lesson 1

The Diatonic Scale (“Manca sollecita”)

Intervals of the Third (“Semplicetta tortorella”)

Lesson 2

Intervals of the Fourth (“Lascia il lido e il mare infido”)

Intervals of the Fifth (“Avezzo a vivere”)

Lesson 3

Intervals of the Sixth (“Bella prova e d’alma forte”)

Lesson 4

Intervals of the Seventh (“Fra l’ombre un lampo solo”)

Intervals of the Octave (“Quell’on da che ruina”)

Lesson 5

Half-tones or Semitones (“Delira dubbiosa”)

Lesson 6

Syncopation (“Nel contrasto amor s’accende”)

Lesson 7

Runs and Scale-Passages (“Come il candore”)

Lesson 8

The Appoggiatura taken from above or below (“Senza l’amabile”)

The Acciaccatura (“Benchè di senso privo”)

Lesson 9

The Mordent (“La gioia verace”)

Different ways of executing the Mordent (“L’augelletto in lacci stretto”)

Lesson 10

Introduction to the Gruppetto or Turn (“Quando accende un nobil petto”)

The Gruppetto or Turn (“Piu non si trovano”)

Lesson 11

Introduction of the Trill or Shake (“Se povero il ruscello”)

Lesson 12

Runs and Scale-Passages (“Siam navi all’onde algenti”)

Lesson 13

The Portamento (“Vorrei spiegar l’affanno”)

2nd way of Portamento (“O placido il mare”)

Lesson 14

Recitative (“La patria è un tutto”)

Lesson 15

Recapitulation of all lessons (“Alla stagion dei fiori”)