Singing Guide: Betty Comden

Singing Guide: Betty Comden

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Betty Comden: Her Legacy and Vocal Style

Betty Comden, born Basya Cohen in Brooklyn, NY in 1915, was a talented American lyricist, actress, and screenwriter. She and Adolph Green, her longtime partner, established themselves as a premier musical-comedy writing team, collaborating on plays, movies, and television shows for more than six decades.

Betty Comden's music was characterized by her wit, intelligence, and one-of-a-kind dramatic flair. Her lyrics were snappy, clever, and often featured comical wordplay. She was also known for her skillful use of unusual rhyme schemes, which elevated her writing above the ordinary.

If you're looking to sing like Betty Comden, it's important to understand her unique vocal style. Comden's music was notable for her impeccable delivery, enunciation, and timing. She had a clear, strong voice that was perfectly suited to her lyrics, which were often rapid-fire and packed with jokes.

Singing Like Betty Comden:

  1. Work on your breathing. Proper breathing techniques are critical if you want to sing like a pro. Check out this article on breathing basics for some useful tips.
  2. Emphasize enunciation. To sound like Betty Comden, you need to be able to sing each word clearly and crisply. Practice articulation exercises, like the ones featured in this articulation video.
  3. Focus on timing. Comden was known for her impeccable timing, so it's crucial to practice singing in rhythm and keeping time. One way to do this is to work on breath control and sustain, as featured in this video on sustaining vocals.
  4. Select the right songs. Comden's work includes several iconic songs, including "Just in Time" and "New York, New York." Choose songs that showcase your vocal range and personality, while also highlighting your strengths.
  5. Take an educational singing course. Singing Carrots offers an educational singing course that will teach you all the basic elements of singing like breathing, tone control, pitch, rhythm, and phrasing.

Using Singing Carrots' Resources to Improve Vocal Abilities:

  • Start by checking out the vocal range and pitch accuracy tests to help you establish good singing habits.
  • Then, move on to pitch training exercises like the interactive vocal warm-up games, pitch visualizer, and agility exercises.
  • Finally, use song search resources to find songs that are suitable for your vocal range, difficulty level, and music genre preference.

By following these steps and using the many resources available to you, you'll be well on your way to singing like Betty Comden.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.