Learning to Sing “City of New Orleans”
The “City of New Orleans” is not just a song but a masterpiece that requires a unique blend of vocal techniques to produce its mystic melody. It engages basic vocal techniques like articulation, breathing, and voice resonance. However, one unique vocal technique it uses abundantly is twang.
‘Twang’ stands out as a vocal technique because it produces a distinct bright and resonant sound. It’s also found in songs like John Denver’s “Country Roads” and Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”. The ‘twang’ sound comes from the narrowing of the larynx’s epiglottic funnels and enhances voice projection. Watch the How to Twang Exercise to understand the technique better.
Steps to Learning “City of New Orleans”
1. Understand Your Voice
To sing a song effectively, you first need to understand your voice. Testing your vocal range and finding your voice type will give you a solid understanding of your vocal abilities. Find out more about voice types in our article.
2. Analyze the Song
Next, evaluate the song for its pitch, rhythm, lyrics, emotion, and vocal techniques used. Visit our article about How to Learn a Song Effectively for guidance.
3. Work on Your Breathing Technique
Correct breathing techniques are essential for smooth singing. Read our article on Breathing Basics. Also, try visualizing your sung notes with our interactive Vocal Pitch Monitor.
4. Practice Twang
Develop the ‘twang’ technique. Our article about contemporary vocal techniques and the mentioned twang exercise can be your valuable resources.
5. Play with Emotions
Bring the essence of the lyrics through emotions. Our article on Singing with Emotion might be helpful.
6. Practice
Consistent and proper practice is crucial. Start with humming, gradually add lyrics and twang. Our Pitch Training exercises might be your valuable resources for practice.
We hope this breakdown helps you learn to sing “City of New Orleans” in your most authentic voice. Don’t forget to take care of your precious voice. Read our Vocal Health article for some tips.