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La Paloma
Sebastián Iradier’s habanera from around 1863, sung in Spanish: the first verse, “Cuando salí de la Habana,” the refrain “Si a tu ventana llega una paloma” and the closing “¡Ay, chinita, que sí!”
Sebastián Iradier, a Spanish composer, wrote this habanera around 1863 after a stay in Cuba. The app uses the melody from a 1906 sheet-music edition and shows Iradier's own Spanish words on the note tiles, starting with “Cuando salí de la Habana, ¡válgame Dios!” It runs 129 notes, about 60 seconds at 84 beats per minute, in 2/4 time and a major key. The range is a major ninth. The song has a verse, a refrain and a closing section.
How to do it
- Wait for the two count-in clicks. The piano plays the first phrase alone, then plays along with you.
- Sing the Spanish words on the tiles, one syllable per note. Start with the four-line verse.
- In the refrain, “Si a tu ventana llega una paloma,” begin each line on four repeated notes at the same pitch.
- Finish with “¡Ay, chinita, que sí!” and the last lines, which move quickly.
- Use the tempo slider to practice slower if the triplets are uneven.
Coach's tip: Many bars begin with a triplet – three even notes in one beat – followed by two plain eighth notes. Keep the triplet even rather than dotted, and hold the long note at the end of each line steady.
What to watch out for
Many bars start with a triplet: three even notes in one beat, followed by two eighth notes. The common mistake is to dot the triplet, making the first note long and the others short. Count three even taps, then keep the next two notes plain. The long note at the end of each line tends to sag, so hold the pitch right to the last beat. The quick “¡Ay!” lines near the end can turn sloppy, so breathe before them. If your voice tires, stop.
Who it's for
Level 2, for singers who want a rhythm piece with a clear melody and Spanish words, and who already know a few songs in a major key. Prepare with Triplet flow and Interval: perfect fourth, then follow with Long note 10 s to keep the line ends steady. No program lists it. The daily training brings it up more often with the Classical & choir style.
Opens the app in your browser. Free to start, no account needed. Put on headphones first.
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