Hints on Singing by Manuel Garcia

Samantha Riesenberg

Vocal Pedagogy Honors Journal #1

Hints on Singing by Manuel Garcia

            The structure, or organization of the book is quite interesting.  There are many examples included throughout, which we have seen in many of the treatises and books seen lately, but the book is structured in a question and answer format.  For example, when talking about different female voices, he writes, “Q: Are all female voices alike in extent and character? A: No. They are divided into three classes on account of the differences they show. They are the contralto, which is the lowest voice; the mezzo-soprano which holds a middle position; and the soprano, which is the highest voice.” (Garcia, 15).  It is as if he anticipates potential questions the reader would have and answers them before they have a chance to ask them.  When dealing with elements such as portamento, messa di voce, runs, grace notes, and trills, he includes exercises to use in order to work on them. There are diagrams throughout as well, as a visual aid to his descriptions. 

            I believe that anyone who wants to study singing, teachers and students alike, would read and benefit from this book.  Some of the anatomical elements would be more useful to the teacher, as Garcia says in his preface, but can also be useful for the student just for additional information.  The exercises are useful to both the student and teacher, as the student can use them in practice, and the teacher can use them to teach the student.  I think the way the book is designed, however, is especially helpful to students, as they do not need to sift through loads of information to get an answer to something specific.   

            I think a lot of the concepts Garcia spoke about are still used today.  Some of the exercises look similar to ones that I have been given throughout my studies and would potentially give to a student.  I think the science is obviously more advanced now, with advancements in technology we have and the additional information we now know about the physiology of the body.  His use of the word falsetto as the same thing as male head voice is now considered old-fashioned and wrong, but other than that the majority of what he said is still relevant to us today.  Overall, I think the book is quite clear and organized.  The question answer format really struck a chord with me, in that it made me understand what he was saying much more.  It was as if he could read my mind of the things I would question and got to it before I could even think.