How to Learn Singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from Marilyn Monroe

How to Learn Singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” by Marilyn Monroe

Learning to sing a particular song can be an exciting and rewarding experience. In this article, we will explore how to learn singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” by Marilyn Monroe. This iconic song showcases unique vocal techniques and offers a great opportunity to improve your singing skills.

Understanding the Song

Before diving into learning the song, it’s important to understand its style, lyrics, and vocal techniques used by Marilyn Monroe. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” is a classic musical number from the movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” It is known for its playful and flirtatious nature, and Marilyn Monroe’s sultry and captivating vocals.

The song features a mix of chest voice and head voice, demonstrating Monroe’s ability to seamlessly transition between registers. It also incorporates elements of belting and uses dynamics to emphasize certain phrases. By mastering these techniques, you can truly embody the essence of the song and give a memorable performance.

Step-by-Step Guide

To effectively learn and sing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” follow these steps:

  1. Listen and analyze: Start by listening to Marilyn Monroe’s rendition of the song. Pay attention to her phrasing, vocal nuances, and the overall feel of the performance. Try to understand how she brings out the character of the song through her vocal choices.
  2. Warm up and vocal exercises: Before attempting to sing the song, warm up your voice with exercises that focus on breath control, vocal range, and agility. Singing Carrots offers a range of vocal warm-ups, including the Pitch Training program.
  3. Master the technique: “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” requires a combination of singing in chest voice and head voice. Work on transitioning smoothly between registers and maintaining a balanced tone throughout the song. Singing Carrots provides resources on voice registers and vocal breaks in their article on Voice Registers & Vocal Break.
  4. Focus on articulation: Pay attention to the lyrics and work on articulating each word clearly. Singing Carrots offers valuable tips on articulation in their article on Articulation.
  5. Practice with guidance: Singing Carrots’ singing course, Singing for Beginners, provides comprehensive training on various aspects of singing, including breath support, pitch accuracy, and vocal health. Utilize these resources to improve your overall singing technique.

Other Songs with Similar Vocal Techniques

The unique vocal techniques used in “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” can be found in several other popular songs. Here are a few examples:

  • Material Girl by Madonna: This song also incorporates a mix of chest voice and head voice with a playful and confident vocal delivery.
  • Big Spender by Shirley Bassey: Similar to Marilyn Monroe’s style, Shirley Bassey’s powerful vocals and belting techniques make this song a great example of commanding stage presence.
  • I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston: Whitney Houston showcases her vocal range and control in this upbeat and energetic song, incorporating elements of belting and dynamic shifts.

By exploring these songs, you can gain a deeper understanding and practice similar vocal techniques that will enhance your singing abilities. Remember to have fun and let your personality shine through your performance!