How to Learn Singing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina [Excerpt]” from Evita (Musical)

How to Learn Singing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the Musical Evita

Learning to sing a song from a musical can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. In this article, we will focus on the iconic song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the musical Evita. We will explore the unique vocal technique used in the song and provide practical advice on how to master it.

Understanding the Vocal Technique

“Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” features a powerful and emotional vocal performance. It requires a strong control over breath support, dynamic range, and the ability to convey intense emotions through the voice. The song is known for its sustained high notes and sweeping melodic lines.

To successfully sing this song, it is important to focus on the following vocal techniques:

  • Breath Support: Maintaining consistent and controlled breath support is crucial to sustain long phrases and hit the high notes effectively. Proper breath support ensures a steady flow of air and helps maintain vocal stability throughout the song.
  • Dynamic Control: “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” requires the singer to navigate through various dynamic contrasts. Practice controlling the volume and intensity of your voice to convey the emotional journey of the song.
  • Emotional Expression: This song is filled with emotional depth and requires the singer to connect with the lyrics and express the character’s feelings convincingly. Dive into the story behind the song and incorporate your own interpretation to fully capture its essence.

Practical Steps to Learn the Song

Here are some practical steps to help you learn and master “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”:

  1. Listen and Learn: Start by listening to multiple recordings of the song by different artists. Pay attention to their interpretation, vocal techniques, and phrasing. Familiarize yourself with the melody, lyrics, and emotional nuances of the song.
  2. Study the Sheet Music: Get hold of the sheet music for “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” to understand the structure, rhythm, and vocal arrangement of the song. This will provide a solid foundation for learning and practicing.
  3. Warm-Up and Vocal Exercises: Before diving into the song, warm up your voice using Singing Carrots’ pitch training exercises and vocal warm-up routines. Focus on exercises that help with breath control, vocal range, and articulation.
  4. Break It Down: Break the song into smaller sections or phrases, and practice each section separately. Pay attention to the transitions between different parts and work on smooth and seamless vocal transitions.
  5. Work on Technique: Use Singing Carrots’ articles on breath support, voice registers, vocal health, and more to improve your vocal technique. Incorporate the vocal exercises provided in the resources to strengthen your voice and develop the necessary control.
  6. Record and Review: Record yourself singing the song and listen back critically. Identify areas that need improvement and focus on refining those sections. Take note of any technical or emotional challenges you encounter and work on overcoming them.
  7. Practice with Accompaniment: Singing along with the original backing track or a karaoke version of the song can help you develop a sense of timing, pitch accuracy, and phrasing. You can find the song’s karaoke version on Singing Carrots’ song-book section.
  8. Final Performance: Once you feel confident with the song, perform it for friends, family, or even in a karaoke setting. Embrace the character and the emotions of the song, and let your voice shine.

Related Vocal Techniques and Songs

The vocal technique used in “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” can be found in other popular songs as well. Here are a few examples:

  • Powerful Belted Vocals: This vocal technique can be heard in songs like “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from the musical Dreamgirls. For vocal exercises to develop this technique, you can try Singing Carrots’ pitch training or breath support resources.
  • Expressive Phrasing: Songs like “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables and “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz showcase beautiful and expressive phrasing. To improve your phrasing skills, you can explore Singing Carrots’ articles on articulation and resonance in singing.
  • Emotional Connection: Songs like “Memory” from Cats and “Without You” from Rent require a deep emotional connection. Singing Carrots’ articles on singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking and how to find your own authentic voice can help you explore this aspect of singing.