Singing Guide: A Kingdom for a Cow
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
In this article, we will be discussing how to learn singing like Bertolt Brecht, a famous German playwright, poet, and director. Brecht is known for his unique, theatrical style called 'Epic Theatre,' employing songs and music to connect with the audience and convey his message. His songs are characterized by a sharp, biting quality, as well as a distinctive way of speaking and enunciating.
To start learning to sing like Brecht, you need to focus on achieving a clear and precise delivery. Brecht believed that the purpose of music is not to entertain but to communicate and inform effectively. This principle is evident in his songs' lyrics, where Brecht used his biting, satirical wit to criticize social issues and political injustice.
To sing like Brecht, you need to learn the proper articulation techniques. Brecht's enunciation is characterized by fast, sharp changes of pace and tone. To achieve this vocal control, you can practice with Singing Carrots' Articulation article. This article provides practical tips on tongue placement, jaw position, and lip movement to facilitate clear pronunciation.
Breath control is also a critical aspect of singing like Brecht. He uses quick, staccato rhythms to create a percussive effect that complements the lyrics. Brecht's vocal style is known for its emphasis on consonants in the lyrics. To learn more about breathing techniques and breath support, check out Singing Carrots' Breathing Basics and Breath Support articles.
Brecht's songs are often played with a sharp, angular melody that complements his biting, sarcastic lyrics. You can practice pitching accuracy and range using Singing Carrots' Pitch Accuracy Test and Vocal Range Test. These tests will help you identify your vocal strengths and weaknesses, guiding you in the selection of appropriate songs and vocal exercises.
To sound like Brecht, you also need to pay attention to the songs' dynamic and phrasing. Brecht songs often require sudden, dramatic shifts in volume and tempo, and you can master this by practicing with Singing Carrots' Pitch Training educational game.
Brecht is known for many famous songs, including "A Kingdom for a Cow" from his play "The Threepenny Opera." This song has been covered by many famous singers, including Lotte Lenya, who was married to Brecht. Another song to note is "Mack the Knife," which has been covered by numerous artists, including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
In conclusion, to sing like Brecht, you need to practice proper articulation, breathing, pitch accuracy, range, and dynamic phrasing. By using the Singing Carrots resources, such as the Articulation article, Breathing Basics and Breath Support articles, Pitch Accuracy Test and Vocal Range Test, Pitch Training educational game, and by studying and practicing famous songs like "A Kingdom for a Cow" and "Mack the Knife," you can achieve a distinctive, theatrical style much like Brecht's.