singing tone
English era
Definition
The ideal of a sustained, vocal-quality piano sound — the piano imitating the capacity of a singer to sustain a phrase across many notes. Central to Romantic piano pedagogy and to Beach's own playing and teaching. Beach's lyrical melodies (in pieces like Dreaming, Hermit Thrush, and Morning Glories) are written to be sung, not played.
Interpretive Guidance
To produce a singing tone, drop the arm weight into a deeply pressed key, sustain the pedal generously across phrase lengths, and shape each note as if it were continuing the breath of the previous one. The wrist should absorb and release weight rather than staying rigid. Think of each melodic line as a vocal line.