Parlando is a musical term used to describe a type of vocal performance, in which the singer conveys the melody by speaking the words rhythmically rather than singing them. The word is pronounced /pɑːˈlændəʊ/, with stress on the second syllable. The spelling of parlando reflects its Italian origin, from the verb parlare, meaning "to speak". The phonetic transcription shows that the vowel sound in the first syllable is pronounced like the 'a' in 'father', and the final syllable is pronounced with a short 'o' sound.
Parlando is an Italian musical term that translates to "speaking" or "talking" in English. It is used to indicate a specific style of musical performance or composition, particularly in vocal music.
In this context, parlando refers to a technique where the singer or instrumentalist imitates the natural rhythm and inflection of speech in their performance. The music is delivered in a speech-like manner, allowing for greater expressiveness and a more intimate connection with the lyrics or the emotional content of the piece. Parlando is often characterized by a more relaxed and flexible tempo, with slight variations in rhythm and phrasing to mimic the natural flow of conversation.
The parlando style has been employed in various genres and periods of music, including opera, art song, and choral music. It allows the performer to convey the text with greater clarity and emotional depth, as they can emphasize important words or phrases, alter vocal timbre, and employ subtle dynamic changes to enhance the meaning and impact of the lyrics.
In compositions, parlando passages are typically notated with specific markings, such as "parlando" or "in a speech style," to guide performers in their interpretation. These indications prompt the musician to focus on the text and its delivery, bringing forth the natural intonation and gestures of spoken language.
Overall, parlando is a musical technique that aims to bring a sense of conversational intimacy and emotional engagement to the performance, creating a more authentic and compelling musical experience.
The word "Parlando" has its etymology in the Italian language. It comes from the verb "parlare", which means "to speak". The addition of the suffix "-ando" in Italian transforms the verb into a present participle form, indicating that something is being done while speaking. In music terminology, "Parlando" refers to a performance technique where the musician plays a passage with a style imitating spoken language, emphasizing the expressive and communicative qualities of the music.