How to Learn Singing “Anastasia – Once Upon a December”
Singing “Once Upon a December” from Anastasia can be a delightful and challenging experience. This enchanting song, composed by Stephen Flaherty with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, is known for its beautiful melody and emotional depth. In this article, we will provide you with practical tips on how to learn and master this song, highlighting the unique vocal technique used in it and mentioning other popular songs that showcase a similar technique.
Analyzing Your Voice and Vocal Range
Before you start learning the song, it is crucial to analyze your voice and determine your vocal range. Singing Carrots offers a Vocal Range Test that can help you identify your range and compare it with famous singers. Knowing your vocal range will allow you to adapt the song to your voice and sing it comfortably.
Understanding the Technique: Legato Phrasing
“Once Upon a December” features a beautiful legato phrasing technique, where the notes flow smoothly and seamlessly from one to another. This technique helps convey the nostalgic and melancholic emotions of the song. Legato phrasing can be found in various songs, including:
- “Moon River” by Audrey Hepburn
- “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
- “All of Me” by John Legend
Listening to these songs and paying attention to the smooth transition between the notes will help you grasp the essence of legato phrasing.
Learning the Song: Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively learn and sing “Once Upon a December”:
- Listen to the original song: Familiarize yourself with the melody, lyrics, and overall feel of the song by listening to the original “Once Upon a December” song from the Anastasia movie soundtrack. This will help you understand the nuances and emotions portrayed in the song.
- Analyze the lyrics: Dive deep into the lyrics and try to understand the story and emotions behind them. This will allow you to connect with the song on a deeper level and deliver a more heartfelt performance.
- Practice vocal warm-ups: Before diving into the song, warm up your voice to prevent straining and ensure vocal flexibility. Singing Carrots offers a variety of warm-up exercises in their Pitch Training section.
- Break down the song: Divide the song into manageable sections and practice each section separately. Focus on the challenging parts and gradually build up to singing the entire song.
- Work on breath control: “Once Upon a December” requires controlled breath support to deliver the long, sustained notes. Singing Carrots offers valuable resources on breath support and stage fright that can enhance your breath control and overall performance.
- Record yourself: Record your practice sessions and listen back to identify areas for improvement. This self-analysis will help you refine your technique, pitch accuracy, and overall expression.
- Seek professional guidance: If possible, consider taking singing lessons or seeking guidance from a vocal coach. They can provide personalized feedback, correct any vocal technique issues, and help you further enhance your performance.
Additional Singing Carrots Resources
Singing Carrots offers various tools and resources to support your singing journey:
- Search songs by vocal range: Find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preference.
- Vocal ranges of famous singers: Explore the vocal ranges of famous singers to further understand vocal techniques and possibilities.
- Educational singing course: Dive deeper into the world of singing with Singing Carrots’ educational singing course.