Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic that features some of the most iconic songs in musical theater history. The show follows the story of Dorothy, a young girl transported to a magical land where she must seek out the Wizard of Oz to help her return home.

One of the most unique aspects of the singing in The Wizard of Oz is the use of character voices. Each character has a distinct vocal quality that helps to bring them to life on stage. Dorothy's voice, for example, is pure and innocent, while the Wicked Witch of the West is harsh and menacing.

To learn how to sing like the characters in The Wizard of Oz, it's important to focus on the specific vocal techniques used to create those character voices. Here are some practical tips to get you started:

• Practice your breath control: Singing in character often requires using different breathing techniques to create specific vocal effects. For example, the Wicked Witch of the West has a very deliberate, slow way of speaking that is achieved through careful breath control. Practice breathing exercises like the Farinelli Breathing video to improve your breath control.
• Experiment with vocal registers: The characters in The Wizard of Oz use a range of vocal registers to create their unique sounds. Dorothy, for example, primarily sings in her head voice, while the Cowardly Lion switches between chest voice and falsetto. Practice singing in different registers to find the ones that work best for each character. Check out the video on Voice Registers & Vocal Break to learn more.
• Pay attention to diction and articulation: Each character in The Wizard of Oz speaks and sings in a distinct way. Pay attention to how they enunciate their words and try to mimic those sounds. The Finger Bite exercise can be helpful for improving your articulation.
• Use vibrato and other vocal effects sparingly: While vibrato can add a lot of character to a vocal performance, it's important to use it in moderation. Characters like the Wicked Witch of the West rarely use vibrato, opting instead for a straight tone. Experiment with different vocal effects to find the ones that work best for each character. Learn how to sing with vibrato if you need to.

To get a better understanding of the unique vocal techniques used in The Wizard of Oz, check out Singing Carrots' articles on vocal registers, resonance in singing, and voice distortion. You can also use Singing Carrots' Pitch Accuracy Test and Vocal Range Test to help refine your singing skills, and look for songs in our Songbook that fit the vocal range and style of the characters in The Wizard of Oz.

With practice and dedication, you can learn to sing like the characters in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz and bring their timeless music to life on stage.