This was originally published on the Embro Thistle Singers blog.
The phrase is that curved line in a piece of music that is like climbing a mountain. You start out with lots of excitement. It is hard work to go up that slanted side and you watch every step. You reach the top and there you are and boy don't you wish you could stay but -- you have to come down again. Sometimes in our excitement we come down too fast and we have a very bumpy landing. Ouch. Let's explore the science and art of singing in phrases.
Okay then is it the words that dictate the phrase or the notes? If you are talking about orchestra this question is mute. What is a phrase? Now here we can get really particular or go with common knowledge. I have studied "phraseology" (apologies to the mayor in the Music Man) and it can be very complicated. There are antecedent and consequent phrases, one which sets the sounds and the second follows and finishes the musical thought. Simply put, the phrase is leading to an ending (antecedent) or creating an ending (consequent). If you treat every musical phrase as consequent, it would be like those people who make declarative sentences all the time. You start to tune them out because you can't differentiate between the ordinary and important. Nevertheless, a phrase happens when and idea needs to be made clear. The sound starts off with less power, builds to an apex and then goes back gently to a cadence or a finish.
Now, we're cooking. The phasing of the music helps us to hear what is important. Phrasing is the words and music broken up by breaths to enhance the meaning and sound.
The Vocal Majority - You Raise Me Up
Listen to this choir who has some really lovely phrasing. I do like this better no watching but just listening. What do you think? Their phrasing really adds to the meaning. That is what it is all about. Period.
