We’ll say that:
Legato is specific mental imagery that strongly influences vocal performance.
It should be taught directly as such, fearless and rigorous in its imaginative content.
Legato goes wrong when the mental imagery motivating it is poor or absent.
From “Legato”. By me.
The Legato Article.
“Legato” is a somewhat monster piece (over 11,000 words) that I wrote in 2023/4.
If you’ve ever produced some poor singing after trying to make it “more legato”, or if a singer you are working with changes for the worse after being asked for more line, this piece, extensively, looks to understand why.
Asserting a key role for mental imagery in singing, it analyses common imageries of legato, shows their limitations and the poor effects they can have on singing when enacted.
It concludes by offering an understanding of legato that should allow for expressive, intelligent, premium classical singing.
The article is divided into six parts in the buttons next to this text. Or is available as a PDF for download.