How to Learn Singing “Ne Me Quitte Pas (If You Go Away)” from Nina Simone

Learning to Sing “Ne Me Quitte Pas” by Nina Simone

Are you a fan of Nina Simone’s soulful and emotive voice? If so, you might be interested in learning how to sing her iconic song “Ne Me Quitte Pas” (If You Go Away). This beautiful ballad showcases Nina Simone’s unique vocal technique and emotional depth.

Understanding the Unique Vocal Technique

One of the standout features of “Ne Me Quitte Pas” is Nina Simone’s ability to convey both vulnerability and power through her voice. She artfully uses dynamics and phrasing to express the song’s intense emotions.

In this song, Nina Simone employs a vocal technique known as belting. Belting is a powerful and resonant singing style commonly used in musical theater and popular music. It involves pushing the voice into the chest register and using the full power of the vocal cords to create a strong and commanding sound. Nina Simone’s masterful belting gives “Ne Me Quitte Pas” its emotional impact.

It’s important to note that belting can be physically demanding, so it’s crucial to practice proper vocal techniques to avoid strain or damage to your voice.

Practical Tips for Learning “Ne Me Quitte Pas”

To effectively learn and sing “Ne Me Quitte Pas,” consider the following tips:

  1. Analyze Your Voice: Before diving into the song, take the time to analyze your own voice. Singing Carrots offers a helpful article on how to analyze your voice, offering insights into your vocal range and voice type.
  2. Warm Up Properly: Begin each practice session with vocal warm-ups to prepare your voice. Singing Carrots provides a Vocal Pitch Training module and a 3-Minute Warm-Up video to help you start on the right note.
  3. Master the Melody: Listen to Nina Simone’s rendition of “Ne Me Quitte Pas” and familiarize yourself with the melody. Sing along to the song and focus on hitting the right notes and capturing the emotional nuances.
  4. Breathing and Breath Support: Proper breath support is essential for belting. Singing Carrots offers an informative article on breath support that explains how to harness the power of your breath to support your voice.
  5. Work on Dynamics: Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. Nina Simone’s emotive rendition is characterized by peaks and valleys in volume. Experiment with varying your own volume to capture the emotional intensity of the song.
  6. Practice with Emotion: “Ne Me Quitte Pas” is a deeply emotional song. As you practice, connect with the lyrics and pour your own emotions into the performance. Singing Carrots provides helpful insights on singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking.

Relevant Singing Carrots Resources

As you embark on your journey to learn “Ne Me Quitte Pas,” take advantage of these helpful Singing Carrots resources: