Singing Guide: Jerry's Girls

Singing Guide: Jerry's Girls

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Are you a fan of Jerry Herman's musicals and love female vocals? Then you must be a fan of "Jerry's Girls", a musical revue of Jerry Herman's popular compositions, featuring memorable numbers from "Hello, Dolly!", "Mame", and "La Cage Aux Folles" among others.

If you're looking to learn how to sing like one of Jerry's girls, there are a few things you should know. First, Jerry Herman's music is known for being loud, brassy, and full of personality. His songs require a singer who is comfortable projecting their voice and playing up their unique qualities. So, if you're looking to embody one of Jerry's girls, you need to be prepared to shine!

Second, each of Jerry's girls has a unique vocal quality that sets her apart from the others. For example, Carol Channing was famous for her quirky, high-pitched voice, while Angela Lansbury was known for her sophisticated alto. Marilyn Maye and Leslie Uggams also delivered powerful, dynamic performances in their appearances in Herman's shows.

To hone in on the vocal qualities of your favorite Jerry's girl, you can use Singing Carrots' free resources, such as the Vocal Range Test and Pitch Accuracy Test to determine where your voice falls in relation to your chosen performer's vocal range. The Pitch Training feature can help you improve your pitch accuracy and the Vocal Pitch Monitor can be used to visually see your sung notes on a virtual piano.

Once you have an understanding of your own vocal range and abilities, you can begin practicing the songs made popular by Jerry's girls. Some popular songs that showcase his leading ladies include "Before the Parade Passes By" from "Hello, Dolly!", "Mame", from, well, "Mame" and "The Best of Times" from "La Cage Aux Folles". You can search for songs by vocal range and genre preference on the Singing Carrots' Song Search feature to find additional songs to practice.

Last, keep in mind that Jerry's girls didn't just shine on stage; they were also known for their impeccable stage presence. Singing Carrots' articles on posture and overcoming stage fright can help you develop your own stage presence and keep your performance confident and polished.

So there you have it! With dedication, practice, and the right resources, you can learn how to sing like a true Jerry's girl and bring some Broadway flair to your performances.

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