Cantilena is ... What is cantilena in music?

The word "cantilena" has different meanings. What does this word mean in music? What are the origins of the Russian cantilena and how did it affect the style of Russian singers? How to achieve cantilena in singing?

The meaning of the word "cantilena"

First of all, cantilena is a melodic melody that can be both instrumental and vocal. Secondly, it is the melody, smoothness, fluidity of the music itself and its performance. Thirdly, it is the voice device's capabilities for the melodic performance of the written melody. Also, these can be sections of the Gregorian chant, mostly melodic. In the 9-10th centuries it was liturgical chants, set forth in the form of an organum. In Western Europe (13-15th century) the so-called small vocal compositions of a secular nature. They were odnogolosnye: epic, lyrical, humorous; Polyphonic: love-lyric; Dance songs, instrumental forms. In the 16th and 17th centuries cantilena is already any vocal polyphonic work. Since the end of the 17th century - a song or an essay with a melodic melody of a calm nature.

Cantilena in music

It is a wide, free, singing, pouring and coherent performance of the melodic line. The technique used for this type of sound is legato. With the correct technique of voice formation and sound management, cantilevered performance is obtained. This does not violate the nature of vibrato. All this is achieved by a good diction and leveled vowels. When polyphonic is much more difficult to achieve cantilena. The chorus should be well prepared. Singers need to follow articulation and diction.

Russian cantilena

The canted compositions of composers from different countries and eras bear definite intonations and some elements of national specificity. The Russian cantilena has its origins from wide and melodious folk songs. Subsequently, deep psychological expressiveness was achieved in the works of Russian classical composers. Under the influence of the cantilena, the vocal style of the singers of Russia was formed. Thanks to her, the mastery of voice and his expressive abilities are revealed.

How to achieve cantilen in singing

Sometimes when singing there is no integrity, words are pronounced as if by syllables. This is due not only to breathing, but also improper vowing. But to achieve the desired result will help some exercises. In singing cantilena - this is a smooth transition from one vowel to another. To achieve the desired result, you should not force and stop over-pressuring the ligaments. You need to sing quietly. Then you can select different works (not higher than the note fph of the first octave). And sing the words with melodic, semantic and dynamic lines. Sing phrases with different sounds: moo, open mouth, nasal sonant A or rinse with an open mouth. You can also sang some phrases, while helping yourself with your hand. But this way should not be abused. Another exercise in order then to get a good cantilena, is to present a melody in the form of three notes. The first is the movement from the beginning to the middle of the phrase. The second is the center. The third is the conclusion. For training, you can take the first Zeidler vocalise or some romance for the average voice. Sing them with your chest, but with a soft "xy", then with "N" and "moo". The most important thing is to try to catch the right tension in the process of singing. Get rid of throat tension and forced sound.

Thus, the word "cantilena" has several meanings. They all share one thing - the melody. Not all singers can achieve cantilever sound. To achieve the desired result, it is necessary to follow the dictation and articulation, to sing calmly and freely, to work on different exercises.