Learning to Sing ‘How Great Thou Art’ by Martina McBride
‘How Great Thou Art’ is a Christian hymn that has been covered by numerous artists. Martina McBride’s version is renowned for its power and emotion, making it a favorite among singers of all levels. The key to mastering this song is understanding its vocal technique.
Understanding the Song’s Vocal Technique
‘How Great Thou Art’ encompasses a range of vocal techniques. The dominant one is belting, a vocal technique associated with high-intensity emotions, usually for higher notes. This technique is seen at the climax of the song, giving it a passionate feel. We can also find belting in other popular songs such as ‘I Will Always Love You’ by Whitney Houston, ‘Let It Go’ from Frozen, and ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked.
How to Master the Belting Technique
Belting requires good breath support, appropriate pitch, open throat, and avoiding constriction. The following steps, along with relevant Singing Carrots resources, can help you master this technique:
Step 1: Correct Breath Support
Good breath support forms the basis of a strong belting voice. Learn the basics of active and passive breathing, and try the Farinelli Breathing exercise.
Step 2: Open Throat
An open throat allows maximum resonance and volume. It prevents constriction, which can cause voice damage. Check our article on Why to Open Mouth and Throat While Singing for more details.
Step 3: Adequate Pitch
Access the free range of your voice without strain. The Vocal range test can help determine your comfortable vocal range. Practice staying on pitch using the Pitch accuracy test.
Mastering the Song
After mastering the belting technique, it’s time to practice the song. Use our guide on how to learn a song effectively for a step-by-step breakdown. Moreover, our Vocal Pitch Monitor tool will display your sung notes compared to the original, helping you correct as you practice.
Conclusion
‘How Great Thou Art’ will be a rewarding challenge for any singer. As with any song, practice and patience are key. Make use of Singing Carrots’ resources to perfect your singing skills and enrich your musical journey. Good luck!