Singing Guide: Doctor Zhivago

Singing Guide: Doctor Zhivago

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Singing like Doctor Zhivago: Discover how to emulate the iconic voice of Omar Sharif in the classic film "Doctor Zhivago".

One of the most immediate characteristics of Sharif's performance is his smooth, warm, and deep voice, which conveys a sense of wisdom, melancholy, and hopefulness. Sharif's voice is also notable for its pace, clarity, and integration with music.

To achieve this, you need to experiment with several critical elements of singing:

  • Breathing: Sharif's voice was full of an audible breath of air beneath it that added to its depth and resonance. To learn more about breathing, check out this Singing Carrots article: Breathing basics and Warmup/exercise. Farinelli Breathing.
  • Pitch: In Doctor Zhivago, Sharif's singing largely falls under the baritone range, emphasizing the low notes. The only song he sings in the film is ‘Sadko’, a Russian folk song, which showcases his voice in a major key. To improve your pitch accuracy, Singing Carrots recommends trying this exercise: Pitch accuracy test.
  • Vocal Control: Sharif sang with a deep and steady voice that dripped with emotion at the right moments. Practice vocal control with Singing Carrots' Pitch Training section.
  • Phrasing: It's stunning how Sharif makes every word he sings his own. His clarity and tone can teach us about phrasing. Practice your articulation with Singing Carrots' Articulation articles and Finger Bite exercise.
  • Performance: Sharif makes his vocal performance part of a bigger musical ensemble. Discover your performance style with Singing Carrots' Tips for performing on stage article and Stage Tips video.

Properly singing like Doctor Zhivago involves multiple techniques, including breathing, vocal control, pitch accuracy, phrasing, and performance. By practicing and referencing the Singing Carrots resources, you will be on your way to mastering the iconic voice of Omar Sharif.

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