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Funiculì, Funiculà
The famous chorus of the Neapolitan song from 1880. “Jamme, jamme” rocks between two neighbouring notes, then “funiculì, funiculà” runs on quick repeated notes up to the high root.
A Neapolitan song from 1880 with music by Luigi Denza and words by Peppino Turco, written for the funicular railway up Mount Vesuvius. Only the famous chorus is here. It's in six-eight at a brisk pace, in a major key, and spans a major ninth. “Jamme, jamme” moves from the major seventh to the sixth, twice. “Funiculì, funiculà” repeats a note on the major third, then leaps a minor sixth up to “là.”
How to do it
- Wait for the two count-in clicks. The piano plays the opening phrase alone, then plays along with you.
- Sing “Jamme, jamme” as a short fall from the seventh to the sixth, bright and forward.
- On “funiculì, funiculà,” sing the repeated third notes lightly, then leap to the octave.
- Hold “là” on the octave for its full three beats.
- Finish with the stepwise descent to the root.
Coach's tip: Keep repeated notes at exactly the same pitch – don’t let them drift flat. Say the Neapolitan words lightly and keep the tempo bright.
What to watch out for
The tempo is brisk, so the repeated notes on the major third tend to rush and go flat. Keep them light and even. The minor sixth leap up to “là” is the main risk: singers scoop or push it, so imagine the note before you leap and land on it. Hold the three beats with steady air. If the Neapolitan words trip you, slow the tempo with the slider. Stop if you feel any strain.
Who it's for
Level 2, for singers who want a lively classical-style tune with a bright, held top note. Warm up with Fast 1-3-5-8-5-3-1 and Leap 1-5-8 holding the top, then sing it in the main block. No program lists it. The daily training brings it up more often with the Classical & choir style.
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