soprano.wetpaint.com 6/11/2006

Punctuation and Grammar

for Breathers

that that is is that that is not is not that that is is not that that is is not that that that is not that that is not is not is not that that is is not that that that is

An English teacher looking at the passage above would say, "Hmm. Here is a string of words obviously in need of punctuation."

A choir director looking at those same words would say, "Hmm. There is no punctuation in this passage. Obviously my choir should sing it straight through without pausing for a breath."

Punctuation and grammar are a pleasant pastime in school. For choristers who enjoy respiration, they are a matter of life and breath.

Remember diagramming sentences? I found analyzing the sentences to be a lot of fun, but what was the point? Did it really matter?

Yes! Analysis matters when singers need to decide when to breathe. Ordinarily breathing is not allowed between the subject and the predicate. I say, a quick breath between the body of the sentence and any dependent clause is fair game, though, of course, my choir director often overrules me. Still, ability to diagram in my head gives me a leg to stand on when arguing the point.

Here's to breathing early and often!