Learning to Sing ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s rendition of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ uniquely blends Country and Pop styles with a spiritual touch. The powerful technique she uses is known as Twang. You can see this technique in songs like ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘Jolene’.
Twang involves narrowing the larynx in a way that produces a bright, penetrating, and edgy sound. It can amplify your voice, making quieter tones heard without straining your vocals. To master this, check out the How to Twang Exercise.
Step 1: Begin by understanding your voice type and range. Get a complete vocal analysis by taking the Vocal range test. This will help you sing the song comfortably and effectively.
Step 2: Learn the song melody and lyrics by heart, then analyse the song structure. Use our tool to Search songs by vocal range to find ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and the key best suited for you.
Step 3: Start practicing the song slowly, focusing on pitch and rhythm. Use the Vocal Pitch Monitor to see if you are hitting the right notes. Do not worry about the ‘Twang’ yet, just focus on the basic melody.
Step 4: Once familiar with the melody, start incorporating the Twang technique. Notice the effect this has on the resonance and projection of your voice. Remember to maintain an Open mouth & throat to let your voice ring clear.
Step 5: After incorporating the twang, check your pitch with the Pitch accuracy test. This will help you ensure that your intonation is still accurate while using the new technique.
Step 6: Lastly, rehearse the song as a whole and record your renditions to track your progress. Always remember to warm-up before practicing with 3 Minute Warm Up.
With practice and patience, you’ll be belting out ‘Stairway to Heaven’ using Twang just like Dolly herself. Happy Singing!