Character Study I

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Home > Voice Studio > Song Text Study

Character Study I
As posted to Vocalist on June 11, 1997. Used with permission.

From: RHODES::DCLARK "DIANE M. CLARK (MUSIC DEPARTMENT)" 11-JUN-1997 14:45:18.39
To: vocalist@lists.oulu.fi
Subj: Study Guide (using text as dramatic script)

CHARACTER STUDY (based on text of the song)

II. BEFORE

1. What events have occurred prior to this song that have led me to this point?
2. What are my thoughts and feelings just before the song begins?

* I. DURING

1. Who am I?
2. What am I like? (Age, sex, education, economic level, physical charac- teristics, personality traits, etc.)
3. What other characters are involved, if any?
4. What are they like?
5. Where am I?
6. To whom am I speaking (singing)?
7. Is this person present with me now? If not, where is he/she?
8. Why am I saying this? (What is my present concern?)
9. What are my thoughts (ideas) and feelings (emotional states) through- out this song?
10. What other factors have a bearing on this situation?

III. AFTER

1. What are my thoughts and feelings as the song ends?
2. What events will occur as a result of my having spoken (sung) these words?

(Note: Begin at the *)

If the song is from a dramatic work (opera, oratorio, music theater), most of the above will be given in the plot, characters, etc. If the song is a work that stands alone, most of the above will need to be created in the mind of the singer.

|\ Dr. Diane M. Clark, Assoc. Prof./Chair of Music Dept., Rhodes College
| 2000 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112, 901-843-3782, dclark@rhodes.edu
() http://gray.music.rhodes.edu/musichtmls/faculty/dclark.html

© 2000 Dr. Diane M. Clark. All Rights Reserved.

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