Singing Guide: Lynn Ahrens
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Lynn Ahrens is a renowned American lyricist and musical theater librettist. She is best known for her collaborations with composer Stephen Flaherty, including "Ragtime," "Once on This Island," and "Seussical." Ahrens' style is known for its storytelling quality, with emotive lyrics and catchy tunes. Singers looking to learn how to sing like Lynn Ahrens should focus on developing their storytelling abilities and finding the emotional core of each song they perform.
One of the key aspects of Lynn Ahrens' work is her ability to weave a compelling narrative through a song's lyrics. Singers looking to emulate her style should focus on their storytelling abilities. This starts with understanding the story of the song they're singing. What emotions is the song meant to evoke? What is the message behind the lyrics? Once a singer has a firm grasp on the story they're trying to tell, they can start thinking about how to tell that story through their singing.
Another important aspect of Lynn Ahrens' work is her ability to find the emotional core of a song. Whether the song is upbeat or melancholy, Ahrens' lyrics always pack an emotional punch. Singers looking to sing like Lynn Ahrens should focus on finding the emotional core of each song they perform. This can be achieved through careful attention to the lyrics, as well as developing a strong emotional connection to the material they're singing.
To help singers develop their storytelling and emotional abilities, Singing Carrots offers a number of valuable resources. Singers can start by taking the pitch and range tests to get a better sense of their vocal abilities. From there, they can explore Singing Carrots' vocal warm-up exercises and pitch training games to hone their skills.
Once a singer has a solid foundation, they can start delving into Singing Carrots' song search to find material that suits their voice and style. Singers looking to learn Lynn Ahrens' style in particular should look for songs with strong narratives and emotional depth. Some great examples include "The Human Heart" from "Once on This Island," "Wheels of a Dream" from "Ragtime," and "Alone in the Universe" from "Seussical."
As singers develop their skills, they can also explore Singing Carrots' educational resources, including articles on breathing techniques, voice types, and vocal registers. Singers looking to learn Lynn Ahrens' style should pay particular attention to articles on breathing and emotion control, as these are key aspects of her work.
With dedication and practice, singers can learn to sing like Lynn Ahrens, telling powerful stories and evoking strong emotions through their singing. Start by exploring Singing Carrots' resources and finding the material that speaks to your heart. From there, continue to develop your skills and hone your craft, always striving to find the emotional core of every song you perform.