Singing Guide: Naughty Marietta
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Naughty Marietta is an operetta created by Victor Herbert, with lyrics and libretto by Rida Johnson Young. Jeanette MacDonald played the lead role in the 1935 film adaptation, which was produced by MGM. MacDonald is known for her operatic singing voice and her ability to project emotion through song.
To sing like Jeanette MacDonald, one must master classical vocal techniques. Voice exercises will increase one’s vocal range and strength. Focusing on proper breathing and posture will also help to improve one’s singing abilities. Below are some tips and resources from Singing Carrots to aid in achieving a singing voice like Jeanette MacDonald's:
Breathing basics: Proper breathing is key to strong vocal projection. Singers should use passive breathing while singing, relying on the diaphragm muscles, rather than the chest. Singing Carrots offers a basic breathing exercise here that can help improve breath support.
Voice registers & vocal break: Knowing where your vocal breaks occur can help you strengthen your vocal range. Singing Carrots has an article here on vocal registers that can help you identify and strengthen your vocal break.
Breath support: Consistent, focused breathing can contribute to a great singing voice, and Singing Carrots offers an article here on how to improve breath support.
Open mouth & throat: Open mouth singing helps to improve tone. Singing Carrots has an article here on why this is important, and how to achieve open mouth singing.
Vocal health: Taking care of vocals is key. Singing Carrots gives helpful tips on vocal hygiene here that can keep vocals in shape.
Beside the above tips, there are also a number of Singing Carrots exercises and tools that could assist in developing one's singing voice. These include using the Vocal range test, training with the Pitch accuracy test, monitoring vocals with the Vocal Pitch Monitor, and building pitch recognition with the Pitch Training - Educational Singing Game.
Good luck on your journey to singing like Jeanette MacDonald, with Singing Carrots' tips and tools, you're sure to be a success!