Call Me Madam is a beloved musical, written by Irving Berlin, first performed in 1950. Ethel Merman, one of the most famous singers of that era, originated the role of Sally Adams, the protagonist and a seemingly unstoppable ambassador to America in the small European country of Lichtenberg.

To sing like Ethel Merman, the key is to have a strong and powerful voice with excellent projection. Merman was known for her belt voice, an iconic style that immediately commands attention and has become closely associated with Call Me Madam. Here are some tips to train your voice to sing like Ethel Merman.

First, take the vocal range test to determine your natural vocal range and see how it compares with famous singers.

If you are a soprano, you will find Merman's belt voice challenging to imitate. However, if you are an alto, tenor, or bass, you may have a more natural gravitas a singer. In either case, listen to Merman sing numbers such as "You're Just in Love" or "Hostess with the Mostess on the Ball." Analyze her vocal technique critically. Start with breath support and make sure you are using your diaphragm correctly.

Focus on opening up your throat, using a wider mouth, and projecting your voice outward. Steadily build your confidence and don't be afraid to experiment with your voice, such as by doing exercises like "Farinelli Breathing" and "Humming," both of which can be found in Singing Carrots video resources. These exercises will help you gain better breath control and shaped vowels.

It's essential to work on your chest voice, as it's the core of the belt voice and the style that characterized Merman's performances in Call Me Madam. This video explains chest voice and how to develop this useful technique. For more insights into fundamental concepts of singing, try some of our popular articles like How to analyze your voice, Voice types, Voice registers & vocal break, Breath support, and Open mouth & throat.

Once you have achieved the correct form and style, consider practicing with the resources in Pitch Training, including using the Vocal Pitch Monitor, where you can see your sung notes on a virtual piano. Do this often, and you'll soon be hitting the high notes and the iconic belted notes of Ethel Merman.

Finally, when you are ready to start learning Call Me Madam, you will find the Singing Carrots Songbook to be an excellent resource. Choose an appropriate song from the show that showcases Merman's voice and style and start improving.

Impress your friends, family and your audience with your version of a Merman number. Enjoy your progress and keep practicing!