Singing Guide: The House of Life
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Rossetti's The House of Life is one of the most sensual and beautiful pieces of poetry ever written. His words are infused with metaphor, imagery, and symbolism to create a work that will stir your soul and inspire your singing.
If you want to learn to sing like Rossetti, there are a few things you need to know about his unique vocal technique. First, Rossetti's voice was incredibly rich and textured, which he achieved through proper breath support and resonance. You can learn more about breath support in this article. Second, his phrasing was very nuanced, with subtle inflections and pauses that added great depth and complexity to his performances. To improve your phrasing, consider practicing the exercises in this video on voice registers.
One of Rossetti's most famous poems, "The Blessed Damozel," is an excellent example of his unique vocal style. The poem's ethereal and haunting tone is created through delicate yet powerful imagery and phrasing. To truly capture the essence of this piece, focus on singing with emotion and intention. This blog post gives some great tips on how to do that.
To further enhance your Rossetti-inspired singing, consider exploring the resources on Singing Carrots. The vocal range test will help you discover your ideal pitch, which will be essential for mastering Rossetti's music. You can also use the pitch accuracy test to improve your sense of melody, and the vocal pitch monitor to visualize your singing progress.
Finally, for more comprehensive training, take a look at the singing course offered on the site. This 21-lesson program covers the basics of singing theory and practice, including lessons on breath support, resonance, and phrasing - all essential for mastering Rossetti's style.