Abstract: A method of making an instructional recording for an individual for teaching the meaning and other aspects of an operatic piece or foreign-language song with musical and lyrical elements is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a recording of a foreign-language song comprising music and lyrics, with said lyrics consisting of foreign-language words, that is to say, said words are in a language foreign to the individual. Playing and studying said recording determines the gaps between the foreign words in said lyrics. After obtaining a translation of said foreign language words, said translation comprises a plurality of possible word groups. Comparing the duration of said possible word groups of said translation to the duration of said gaps determines actual word groupings for recording and also determines those points corresponding to respective assigned gaps on the recording where the actual groupings will be recorded. A translation recording is then made.