Learning to Sing “I Say No” from Heathers: The Musical

One of the standout songs from “Heathers: The Musical” is the powerful anthem “I Say No”. This song requires the singer to have a good command of their chest voice and the ability to belt in a comfortable range. The song also includes sections that require a softer head voice, showcasing a singer’s ability to quickly transition between vocal registers.

Step 1: Understanding Your Voice

Before you begin, it’s important to understand your voice and its capabilities. Use Singing Carrots’ Vocal Range Test to help you identify your vocal range. This will help you determine if “I Say No” fits within your comfortable singing range.

Step 2: Analyzing the Song

Listen to the original version of “I Say No” to familiarize yourself with the flow, emotion, and vocal techniques used. Pay attention to the vocal intensity changes throughout the song, and how the volume increases during the chorus where the belting technique is used.

Step 3: Vocal Warm-Up

Warming up your vocals is a crucial step before diving into intense singing. Follow this 3 Minute Warm Up to prepare your voice for the challenge.

Step 4: Mastering the Belting Technique

One of the major techniques used in “I Say No” is belting. It requires great breath control and a robust connection to your diaphragm. Listen to powerful belters like Idina Menzel or Jennifer Hudson to get a feel for this technique, used often in broadway and pop music.

Step 5: Perfecting Transitions

In “I Say No”, there are parts where you need to swiftly transition from chest voice to head voice and vice versa. Use the Mixed Voice technique to perfect these transitions, it can help connect these two registers smoothly.

Final Step: Practice and Review

Practice singing “I Say No” along with the karaoke version, using the Vocal Pitch Monitor to check your pitch accuracy. Don’t forget to revisit the techniques for learning a song effectively and review your progress periodically.

Remember, the aim is not only copying the original but also adding your own authentic interpretation to the song. Good luck and enjoy singing!