Mary Martin was an American theater actress and singer known for her clear, bright singing voice and impeccable diction. She is most famous for originating classic Broadway roles such as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Maria in The Sound of Music. Martin's approach to singing was marked by a brilliant vocal technique which was characterized by a gorgeous vibrato, smart phrasing, and an unmistakable clarity. Singing like Mary Martin means developing your vocal range, breath management, and interpreting characters.

Developing Your Vocal Range:

To sing like Mary Martin, you must undertake serious vocal exercises to expand your vocal range. The vocal range test is a helpful resource for this purpose. It shows your range and helps you identify problem areas that need improvement. Mary Martin's vocal range fits a soprano classification, and her top range can reach a high Bb. Martin's song 'My Heart Belongs to Daddy' from the musical Leave It to Me! requires a top Bb in the coda where Martin displays her highest notes. The Pitch Accuracy Test enables you to work on your pitch accuracy and hone your ear. The Pitch Training course is also a useful resource to tone your vocal abilities. The course includes interactive exercises for warming up, pitch visualizer for scale practice, and range and agility exercises.

Breath Management:

Mary Martin's excellent breath management set her apart in her singing style. Mary Martin's approach to breathing was characterized by a mix of active and passive elements. Active breathing refers to the preparation and expansion of the lungs to ensure the body has enough air to support singing, and passive breathing relates to the natural relaxation of the body to breathe in fresh air. The warm-up exercise you should follow is Farinelli Breathing. It's a simple warm-up routine to activate the diaphragm and create a strong foundation for your singing.

Interpreting Characters:

Interpreting characters in a song is an essential skill for a singer. Mary Martin was an expert in this area. Mary Martin's repertoire is known for its characters with strong emotional personalities and distinctive vocal technique. In 'I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair' from her musical South Pacific, Nellie's character is innocent and naive, but her singing is full of passion and sweetness. In 'A Cockeyed Optimist', another song from South Pacific, Nellie has a happy and lively character that requires a bouncy and upbeat singing style.

Mary Martin fans will appreciate Singing Carrots resources:

• Vocal Range Test
• Pitch Accuracy Test
• Vocal Pitch Monitor
• Pitch Training
• Search songs with a specific vocal range
• Vocal Ranges of Famous Singers
• Educational Singing Course

Conclusion

Singing like Mary Martin requires developing an excellent vocal range, breath management, and character interpretation. By using Singing Carrots resources and practicing their exercises, you can approach Mary Martin's distinctive vocal technique.