Spotlight Seminars > Pianissimo and Fortissimo: A Singer’s Guide

Pianissimo and Fortissimo: A Singer’s Guide

Two little letters have the power to strike fear in the hearts of even the most experienced singers: pp. Many singers find it uncomfortable and some find it impossible to sing quietly, or discover that their tone quality suffers when they do. And while fortissimo can often be easier to achieve, it can be fatiguing and even injurious if the singer’s coordination is imbalanced. Singing at dynamic level extremes—with balanced vocal technique—is one of the most difficult and useful technical skills a singer can master. Unfortunately, it is also a skill that singers are rarely taught explicitly.

Pianissimo and Fortissimo: A Singer’s Guide is a 2-hour seminar and accompanying vocal exercise routine—delivered live, via Zoom—designed to help singers increase their dynamic flexibility, and understand the technical factors involved in doing so.

Singers will learn:

• The connections between breath, vocal registration, and dynamic level

• The top three unhelpful things singers must avoid when singing quietly, and the top three things to avoid when singing loudly

• The history of the messa di voce and how to practice it

• How to remain more comfortable while singing quietly in the high range (and why this is so difficult)

• A dozen vocal exercises designed to increase dynamic flexibility

The seminar includes:

• 75 minutes of interactive presentation by Dr. Julia Nielsen, including opportunities for discussion among participants

• 45 minutes of singing vocal exercises related to dynamic range (participants remain muted)

• Ample time for Q&A

• A 30-page seminar booklet, delivered electronically, including the notated vocal exercises and synthesized research on this topic

Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Time: 3:30-5:30pm PT
Cost: $70

Level: All levels

Recording available! A recording of the seminar will be available for 30 days after the live event for those who cannot attend in real time, or wish to review the program.