Singing Guide: Mary Costa
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Mary Costa is an American opera soprano and voice teacher known for her enchanting voice and captivating performances in classical music productions. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 5, 1930, Mary Costa grew up in Southern California, where she began singing at an early age in a church choir. She went on to study at Los Angeles City College and later won a singing competition, where she was spotted by the composer and producer Walt Disney. He commissioned her to voice the lead role of Princess Aurora in the 1959 Disney animated movie "Sleeping Beauty."
Tips:
1. Develop a solid breathing technique
Mary Costa's voice is known for its clarity, purity, and effortless breath control. A great way to practice this is by trying "Farinelli breathing" exercise, which teaches breath control and vocal support, as demonstrated in this video.
2. Focus on vocal registers
Mary Costa is known for her mastery of both chest and head voices, as well as her ability to blend them seamlessly. Understanding voice registers and learning how to transition between them is essential for mastering vocal control. To learn more about voice registers, you can read this Singing Carrots article and watch these videos: Singing Comfort Zone, Voice Break, Mixed Voice.
3. Work on articulation
Clear articulation is vital in classical music to ensure the lyrics are understood and heard. Learn how to articulate like Mary Costa with the "Finger Bite" exercise shown in this video. It's a fun and easy-to-do exercise to help you develop better mouth and tongue movement.
4. Develop warmth and vibrato
Mary Costa's voice has a warm, rich tone with a signature vibrato. A great way to work on vibrato is by practicing the "Beggars Bounce" and "Diaphragm Bounce" exercises shown in these videos: Beggars Bounce, Diaphragm Bounce. These exercises will help you develop a relaxed, open throat and a smooth, controlled vibrato.
5. Learn Mary Costa's repertoire
To sing like Mary Costa, you need to master the songs that made her famous. Some of her most notable performances were in productions of "The Marriage of Figaro," "The Magic Flute," and "La bohème." Take advantage of the Singing Carrots search function to find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference. You can also explore Mary Costa's vocal range and the ranges of other famous singers on this page.
6. Enroll in a comprehensive vocal course
Finally, for more structured and in-depth training, you can start with Singing Carrots educational singing course. It has 21 lessons, covering everything from the basics of singing to advanced techniques and tips. It is designed for both beginners and those with some experience, the course offers an immersive and comprehensive learning experience. Check out the course here.
Mastering your singing abilities is a journey, and whatever your level, Singing Carrots has the tools and resources to help you improve and refine your craft. Contact us if you have any questions or are inspired to take your singing to the next level!