Learning “Je t’aime… moi non plus” by Jane Birkin
“Je t’aime… moi non plus”, originally sung by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, is a unique blend of romantic lyricism and distinct vocal techniques. Let’s discover the steps to learn to sing this famous French duet.
1. Understand your voice
Before diving into the song, make sure to analyze your voice and understand your voice type. Knowing this will help you adjust the song according to your vocal range. Use our online vocal range test to help with this.
2. Familiarize yourself with the song
Next, familiarize yourself with the song and focus on Birkin’s unique vocal presentation. The song is characterized by a conversation-like singing style. Birkin doesn’t use much vocal power or extensive modulation, but shares emotion through her delivery.
3. Breath Control and Vocal Support
Birkin applies whispery tones and breathy vocals. To achieve this, you need to get a good understanding of the breathing basics and how to provide proper breath support. Practice using our Farinelli Breathing video.
4. Sing with Emotion
Imparting emotion is key, if you want to recreate the original song’s essence. Learn how to sing without compromising on the emotional aspects by referring to our article about singing with emotion.
5. Get Familiar with Articulation
Nailing the French pronunciation is essential for this piece. The proper articulation article will provide helpful advice, and the Finger Bite video will help you practice.
6. Practice Singing the Song
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the techniques, start practicing the song. To ensure you’re on pitch, use our pitch accuracy test and vocal pitch monitor. Refer to our article on how to learn a song effectively to structure your exercises.
7. Record and Analyze your Performance
When you feel comfortable, record your performance and analyze it. You can even compare your vocal range with famous artists and see how close you get to Birkin’s range.
This conversation-like singing style can be found in other popular tracks like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Frank Sinatra and “Something Stupid” by Frank and Nancy Sinatra.
In conclusion, the art of singing “Je t’aime… moi non plus” lies in controlled breathy vocals and expressive articulation. It’s a great song to improve your prowess in these areas while also delivering a romantic and enchanting performance.