Maybe Latin will help me in my Singing
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40192)
Canada
November 25, 2008 1:59pm CST
I love classical music and classical singing and at our choir we are doing the Gloria piece for Christmas, well part of it (it is really a Christmas medley) I have been rather occupied that I did not have time to do much practice for a solo, but I was thinking of doing a piece in Latin for Spring, if not I would do the English translation or another piece. Then I got to thinking, I do not know that much Latin, so I had better learn some so that I can sing the piece authentically and with the correct accent and pronunciation.
So my question is for you singers or those wanting to sing, do you think that learning another language would help you in getting the performance correct?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@zshornick (113)
• United States
25 Nov 08
I have friends in Conservatory voice programs and I know that they have to learn languages because they will most likely sing a lot of opera to make money.
I myself sing a lot and have done a few Italian arias, but never learned Italian. I did take Spanish in high school, but am nowhere near fluent.
I don't think you need to learn the whole language as long as you know what the song is saying. Translate and learn the words of the song. Learn the correct pronunciation of those words and the meaning so you can sing honestly. But unless you really want to learn the whole language (which is a lot of work), don't.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
26 Nov 08
I know a little Spanish and Italian, but well I do not know Latin except the usual Espiritu Santi, in excels is gloria, patri, and those Catholic terms from the movies. Unfortunately I have not met any ancient Roman, so I am stuck. 
I just want to know enough to pronounce the words of the music correctly.
I just want to know enough to pronounce the words of the music correctly.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
25 Nov 08
I have never heard any singing in Latin. If I am listening to opera arias I prefer them in Italian.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
26 Nov 08
It is mainly in church singing. Part of the song will be in English, French, or Italian, but they would do the glorias in Latin.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Of Course! Sorry, I forgot about church.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
28 Nov 08
We have to sing Gloria in ExCelcis Deo, and it sounds like this Egg Shell cees. So I am trying to vision a bunch of angels breaking egg shells and one of them saying "SHH!"
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Yes I feel that a little help in learning the language would go a long way in improving the song alot. Because the pronunciations is what makes the songs special.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120738)
• United States
26 Nov 08
It couldn't help but enrich the performance if someone learns the language they plan to sing in. Even the basics would add something to the authenticity. I wish I could hear your Christmas special. It sounds like it will be beautiful! And let us know if you decide to do the spring performance in Latin. 
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11177)
• United States
29 Nov 08
I attend Latin only Masses and believe that it is the language of angels - there is nothing like those old latin hymns and vespers.
Latin is pretty easy to pronounce. You sound each letter, there really are no accented sylables.
A is said as in father (ah)
E is said as a long A
I is pronounced long E
O is like itself
and U is oooo like in womb
if you are saying excelsis the c is pronounced more like ch
gratias is grawt see uh
hope this helps a little
1 person likes this
