- Home
- All exercises
- Melodies
- Cadenza to end an aria
Cadenza to end an aria
An original phrase in the style of an aria ending: a triad up to a long top note on the octave, then a cadenza – a turn through the ninth and a scale down in eighth notes to the tonic.
An original phrase in the style of an aria ending, sung on “ah”. A major triad climbs to a long top note on the octave, held for four beats. Then comes the cadenza: a turn through the major ninth, a scale down in eighth notes, and a short mi–re–do cadence (third, second, root) that finishes on a long root. The app picks a key that fits your range, and you sing it twice.
How to do it
- Listen to the piano play it once. Then sing along on “ah”.
- Sing the triad calmly up to the octave and hold it for four beats. Save some air.
- Start the cadenza lightly: touch the major ninth, return to the octave, then run down the scale.
- Keep the eighth notes distinct but legato. Don't turn them into a slide.
- Finish the mi–re–do cadence and hold the root for four beats.
Coach's tip: Save some air on the top note for the cadenza. Sing the eighths legato but each one distinct – don’t smear them into a glissando.
What to watch out for
Air is the main problem. If you spend it all on the long top note, the cadenza runs dry, so sing the top gently and never push it. In the eighth notes, singers either rush or smear them into a slide; slow the tempo with the slider if they blur. Keep the cadence centered and let the last root ring. Stop if you strain.
Who it's for
A level 3 melody for singers who can already shape a legato line and want an ending with a little ornament. Sing it after Legato arietta, which uses the same style. Warm up the eighth-note descent with Major scale (octave) first. It's in no fixed program; the daily training favors it with the Classical & choir style.
Opens the app in your browser. Free to start, no account needed. Put on headphones first.
Related exercises
- Pop phrase: chorus with a high note An original chorus: a leap to the octave and holding it for 3 beats. Twice.
- Pop phrase: belt An original phrase: a 5-7-9 run-up and a four-second belt on the octave.
- Show finale An original finale phrase: two approaches to a high note and a long held peak at the end.
- Soul ballad An original soul ballad phrase: a calm opening, a climb to the top and a melisma to finish.
- Five vowels on one note One note and five vowels in a row: mee, eh, ah, oh, oo – with no gaps between them. Trains even vowels and legato: pitch and tone stay, only the shape of your mouth changes.
- Broken thirds 1-3-2-4-3-5-4-6-5... Trains thinking in intervals.