Singing Guide: Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
In this article, we will explore how to sing like the legendary American composer and lyricist, George M. Cohan, through the lens of his famous composition, "Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway."
Cohan was known for his distinctive and powerful voice, with a unique hybrid style of operatic and vaudevillian delivery. His singing also incorporated elements of spoken word, resulting in a style that was instantly recognizable and beloved by audiences of his time.
To emulate Cohan's style in "Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway," it's important to focus on a few key elements. Firstly, work on your breath support by exploring Singing Carrots’ “Breath Support” article. Cohan was known for his bombastic delivery, and strong diaphragmatic breathing was a key part of achieving this effect.
Next, try to incorporate the "twang" technique detailed in the Singing Carrots’ "Contemporary vocal techniques: Heavy modal, Twang, Belting" article. This technique can help you achieve the bright, cutting sound that was so key to Cohan's vocal style.
For the spoken-word elements of the song, you can study Singing Carrots’ “Articulation” article and "Finger Bite" exercise. These will help you develop the precise and clipped diction that was another hallmark of Cohan's delivery.
Finally, to fully understand the character of the song and to get into Cohan's mindset, use Singing Carrots’ "How to learn a song effectively" article to break down the lyrics swiftly. Also work on the “Relaxing Breath” exercise to handle stage fright.
By incorporating these elements into your singing routine and studying George M. Cohan's style in "Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway," you can start to develop your own unique and powerful voice. Remember to use Singing Carrots’ resources when practicing and always experiment to find what techniques work best for you.