Singing Guide: Edith Adams

Singing Guide: Edith Adams

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

How to Develop Your Voice Like Edith Adams'

Edith Adams is a beloved American performer, known for her charm, humor, and soprano voice. With a career spanning several decades, Adams' sweet and bright vocal sounds have captivated audiences on Broadway, in the movies, and on television. In this article, we will explore how you can develop your voice like Edith Adams and showcase it to your full potential.

Vocal Technique

Adams had a unique vocal style that was strongly supported by her breath. She favored short phrases punctuated by a quick intake of air, enabling her to sustain long, high notes effortlessly. Her voice had a bright, bell-like quality, which made her sound both youthful and angelic. To develop your voice like Adams', here are some vocal techniques to keep in mind:

  • Breath control: To achieve Adams' bright soprano sound, you'll need to develop strong breath support. By practicing breathing effectively through the diaphragm, you can control airflow and create sustained, powerful notes that resonate.
  • Singing in a head voice: Adams' voice had a higher register, which she accessed by singing in her head voice. With practice, you too can develop your head voice and sing high notes without straining your vocal cords.
  • Placement of vowel sounds: Adams' bright, bell-like sound was helped by her placement of vowel sounds in the front of her mouth. To achieve this, aim to keep your soft palate high and your tongue forward while singing. Practice opening your mouth wide and exhaling with a long "ah" sound to help familiarize yourself with this technique.

Songs

Adams was known for her unique interpretations of classic show tunes. Her most famous roles include Sheila in "The Pajama Game", Kim MacAfee in "Bye Bye Birdie", and Daisy Mae in "Li'l Abner". Here are some songs you can learn to help develop your voice like Edith Adams':

  • "I Got Lost In His Arms" from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun": This song is a great example of how Adams used her breath control to sustain long notes. Listen to how she takes quick breaths before singing each phrase to facilitate her long, sustained notes.
  • "How Lovely To Be A Woman" from the musical "Bye Bye Birdie": This song showcases Adams' clear soprano sound. Notice how she sings in her head voice for the high notes and uses proper vowel placement to achieve her unique sound.
  • "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" from the musical "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes": This upbeat song is a fun way to practice your breath control and placement of vowel sounds to achieve a bright, bell-like tone.

Singing Carrots Resources

To further develop your voice like Edith Adams, Singing Carrots offers several tools and resources:

  • Use the vocal range test to determine your vocal range and compare it to famous singers like Adams'.
  • Use pitch accuracy test to assess your pitch accuracy.
  • Use the Vocal Pitch Monitor to visualize your sung notes and ensure proper placement.
  • Utilize the Pitch Training tools, interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualizations, and exercises designed for range and agility.
  • Use Search songs to find songs matching your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preference.

With consistent practice and a strong focus on breath control, vowel placement, and head voice, you can develop your voice and showcase it in a style similar to Edith Adams. Use the resources provided by Singing Carrots to further enhance your skills and discover your full vocal range.

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