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DIPHTHONGS |
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*A diphthong is a combination vowel- two
vowels sounds in succession in the same syllable, with no consonant
between.
*The basic rule in singing diphthongs is that the two component vowels
are of unequal length.
*The longer of the two vowels is called the sustaining vowel. It
ordinarily occupies almost the entire time of the diphthong.
*The other component is the vanishing
vowel, which occupies as little as possible of the total
time.
Look
at the words below. Say them to yourself. Notice how each
word has two distinctive vowel sounds. The vowel sound that is
underlined is the sustaining vowel. When singing this vowel, it
should sound almost the entire duration of the note. The vowel
sound in parenthesis is the vanishing vowel. When singing
this vowel you should sing it for the shortest duration possible.
Way = EH + (EE)
Now = AH + (OO)
Joy = AW + (EE)
The chart below shows the five basic
diphthong combinations:
The
underlined vowel = sustaining vowel
The vowel in
parenthesis = vanishing vowel
Diphthong
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Which vowel sounds?
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Examples
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IE
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AH + (EE)
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By, Lie, Die
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OY
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AW + (EE)
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Boy, Oil, Toy
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OW
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AH + (OO)
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Now, Glow, Flow
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EW
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(EE) + OO
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Few, New, Due
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AY
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EH + (EE)
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May, Laid, Day
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Here are a few examples. Remember to sing the sustaining vowel
for as long as possible and the vanishing vowel for as short as
possible.
