For non-native singers, Korean is an unexplored language that may enhance western classical vocal technique and pedagogy. A familiarity with Korean may develop efficient phonation, flexible articulation, and adaptability to Italian bel canto repertoire among both Korean speaking and non-Korean speaking students. Although western classical vocal music and pedagogy in the United States is taught primarily in English with Italian as the main language for bel canto study, the growing number of native Korean students in classical voice highlights the need for a new pedagogical approach to bel canto technique that utilizes the strengths and similarities of Korean and Italian.
This presentation will examine how the Korean language’s phonetic structure and design support the goals of bel canto technique and favorable concepts in western vocal pedagogy. Korean’s easily replicable phonetic structure visually guides articulation for smooth vocal coordination and clarity. Its “Italianate” vowels closely parallels Italian’s phonemic organization of consonants and vowels, fostering resonance and liquid articulation. The syllabic block lettering of Korean enables quick visual recognition and mental processing, enabling instant vocal execution and phrasing. Preliminary spectrogram analysis of Korean and Italian vowels indicates strong formant tuning, with a comparison showing near identical markers in formant frequency and resonance. The mixed 으 vowel in particular helps facilitate a tall, flexible configuration of the pharynx and vocal tract, create a flexible and open backspace, and reduce weight and tension in the higher range for singers.
These findings suggest the integration of Korean in the studio offers many pedagogical benefits for teachers and diverse singers. For English-speaking students, Korean will help acclimatize them towards pure, open vowels; clear articulation; and overall vocalic harmony. For Korean-speaking students, it will improve ease of communication while providing a culturally relatable point of access for Italianate bel canto study. Overall, the Korean language presents a unique opportunity for examination with regard to developing ideal bel canto vowel production and technique in western classical vocal pedagogy.