How to Learn Singing “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from Hayley Westenra

How to Learn Singing “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” by Hayley Westenra

If you’re a fan of Hayley Westenra and want to learn how to sing her rendition of “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from The Phantom of the Opera, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore the unique vocal technique used in this song and provide practical advice to help you master it. We’ll also point out other popular songs where this technique is employed.

The Unique Technique: Legato Singing

“Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” requires a strong command of legato singing. Legato, meaning “smooth” in Italian, refers to singing notes seamlessly and smoothly, without any breaks or pauses between them. It gives the song a flowing and connected quality.

To achieve legato singing, focus on the following:

  • Analyze Your Voice: Understand your voice type and range to identify the ideal approach for singing this song.
  • Breathing Basics: Develop proper breath support to maintain a consistent airflow throughout the song.
  • Voice Registers & Vocal Break: Learn to transition smoothly between your vocal registers, especially when navigating between your chest voice and head voice.
  • Breath Support: Strengthen your breath support to sustain consistent vocal tone and control.
  • Open Mouth & Throat: Keep your mouth and throat relaxed and open to optimize resonance and improve vocal clarity.

Other Songs with Similar Techniques

Hayley Westenra’s rendition of “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” showcases her beautiful legato singing. You can find similar vocal techniques in these popular songs:

  • “Nella Fantasia” by Sarah Brightman
  • “The Prayer” by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

Listening to and studying these songs will help you understand how different singers approach legato singing and give you additional inspiration.

Using Singing Carrots Resources

Singing Carrots offers a range of resources to support your learning journey:

Conclusion

Learning to sing “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” requires mastering the art of legato singing. By optimizing your breath support, vocal registers, and mouth and throat positioning, you can beautifully deliver this song, just like Hayley Westenra. Don’t forget to explore other songs that employ similar techniques for additional inspiration. Take advantage of Singing Carrots’ resources, such as the vocal range test, song search feature, and educational singing course, to enhance your vocal skills further. Happy singing!