How to Sing

by Lilli Lehmann

The first and maybe the only book about singing written by a woman singerof such international stature, How to Sing is a rare collection of first-hand singing knowledge. Lehmann presents precisely detailed descriptions on everything from tongue placement to breathing and provides detailed diagrams to further convey physical sensations. Her convictions on the state of singing quality and the work ethics needed to attain a level of true competency are found in nearly every exercise. How to Sing should be read by singers, instructors, and anyone interested in thisfascinating art.About the Lilli Lehmann, born in 1848, spent her childhood in Prague learning how to sing from her mother Marie Loewe, a former leading soprano and long-time personal friend of the controversial composer, Richard Wagner. At the age of sixteen, Lehmann debuted as the First Boy in Mozart s The Magic Flute, and in 1870 she joined the Berlin Royal Opera. The Kaiser banned heroperatic performances until 1891 as a penalty for her having overstayed herleave in New York, but she triumphed as an international soprano with 170memorable roles.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1902

About the author

Lilli Lehmann (Elisabeth Maria Lehmann-Kalisch), German operatic soprano and voice teacher.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

An old, old book about how to sing. Clearly the author believes what is being discussed, but some of the concepts would have been difficult if not impossible to prove at the time - such as breath being expelled in "whirling currents".

But you get a feel for what a master singer goes through:

"When I, for instance, was learning the part of Isolde, I could without weariness sing the first act alone six times in succession, with expression, action, and a full voice. That was my practice with all my rôles. After I had rehearsed a rôle a thousand times in my own room, I would go into the empty theatre and rehearse single scenes, as well as the whole opera, for hours at a time. That gave me the certainty of being mistress of my resonances down to the last note; and very often I felt able to begin it all over again. So must it be, if one wishes to accomplish anything worth while."

And:

"All the applause in the world cannot repay me for the sacrifices I have made for art, and no applause in the world is able to beguile me from the dissatisfaction I feel over the failure of a single tone or attempted expression."

[Celestarius · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a beginning singer who is trying to learn the proper sensations and coordinations for singing, I found this book to be both extremely helpful and a little intimidating. That's sort of how the whole learning process has been, though, so it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. Being that it was written well over 100 years ago, I'm sure not all the specifics of physiology and anatomy are exactly accurate, but it's still helping me better visualize what's going on (or what should be) — especially with the inclusion of illustrations. Some of the prose is a little hard to follow or conceptualize, but I don't know if that's more a reflection on a lack of clarity in the writing or my own inexperience. It's free on Project Gutenberg and is fairly short so anyone interested in voice has nothing to lose by checking it out.

[Loesje · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am impressed by the capability to turn the practice of singing into written words. The thin book is quite dense, and quite technical if you haven´t had any vocal lessons in singing. If you did have some IRL instruction, then this book might be a refresher of what your teacher already explained (if you follow classical training).

I read the second book of Lehmann : ´More then singing´ first. And I think it is more accessible, probably because it is less technical.
I considered ´How to sing´ a slightly difficult read, and had difiiculties with finishing the book.

[Linda CarrsRo · Rating 4 out of 5]

El principio esta increíble. Después se vuelve un poco repetitivo. Los diagramas ayudan mucho. También algunos conceptos.

[Aaron Anastasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a wonderful book for singers who like to improve their technique. All exercises are excellent and useful. I highly recommend for all singers to read it. This writing, by one of the greatest singers, ever, will enable you to understand and learn all the aspects of what are not only the mechanics of vocal production, but learn the interconnection of mind, body and spirit of singing.
Everyone who enjoys the art of singing should have this resource in their repertoire

[Patrick Van Rhedenborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

''Meine Gesangskunst'' Lilli Lehmann
Written from her own vocal sensation. I suppose students shouldn't follow the advices too literally.
Nice though for the advanced student or performer, to experience the sensations she has herself within the ''instrument'' and realize one is more or less on the right track.
''Feast of recognition''!

Still reading parts of it, now and again.

[Clare Bear]

All too often I hit that note at the Hall and what sounds okay in my head or a lower volume cracks. I want to learn how to sing in 2008, and this book was recommended on a website as The Book. Anyone else know much about singing?

[John Punt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - a must-read for any student of voice. With insightful statements from a legend of the operatic stage, and a nearly all-encompassing technical manual, "How to Sing" is the Bible of many vocal studios and teachers.

[Victoria Sethunya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good reference for those who are looking for breathing techniques. I found the diagrams very helpful where prose was too dense to handle.

[Duckpondwithoutducks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is highly technical, and would probably be incomprehensible to a beginner. It is better for perusal by a seasoned student.

[David Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange, insistent and full of colorful language