The Principles of the García School of Singing

The method behind the voice

Manuel García the son put his father's method into writing in 1840. He did not invent it: he described, in the language of science, what the great Italian singers had always done. His principles are still at the heart of classical singing.

Trust the method, then check from outside. García himself did not rely on his ear alone. He studied his instrument to the point of creating a new tool, the laryngoscope, which we still use today, adopted by medicine worldwide.Giancarlo Monsalve

A singer observing his own larynx with a small mirror and reflected light — Laryngoscopy as García first practised it in 1854: a small mirror at the back of the throat and reflected light.

Breath before voiceA deep, silent breath, spent with economy: singing on the breath, never pushing.
A clean beginningEvery note begins exactly: on time, on pitch, on the vowel.
One voiceThe registers trained and then joined, so the voice is even from bottom to top.
Bright and darkRing and roundness together: the chiaroscuro of the Italian tone.
The messa di voceA single note swelled and diminished: the master exercise of the old school.
PatienceShort, regular practice. A voice is built slowly, never forced.