Singing Guide: Oklahoma!
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you're a fan of the golden age of musicals, then Oklahoma! is definitely a name that's on your radar. The famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical tells the story of a farm girl named Laurey and her romances with two men, Curly and Jud, in the early 1900s in the Oklahoma territory. The musical has been a beloved classic for years due to its catchy tunes, memorable characters, and a captivating storyline.
One of the standout aspects of Oklahoma! is the music. The songs are known for their memorable melodies and catchy lyrics, making them perfect for those who are interested in learning how to sing like a musical legend.
One of the most iconic songs from the production is "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'." Curly sings the song as he basks in the glow of the morning sun and celebrates the beauty of the world around him. To sing like Curly, it's essential to have a good sense of breath control since the song requires a lot of dynamic variation. Practicing breathing exercises and experimenting with different vowel shapes can help achieve the desired tone.
Another well-known song from the musical is "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," which features Curly and Laurey riding in a horse-drawn carriage. To sing like Curly during this scene, it's important to focus on the rhythm of the song and the inflection used during the musical phrases.
"People Will Say We're in Love" is a beautiful duet between Curly and Laurey, which requires harmonizing to achieve the perfect blend of vocals. Practicing harmonizing with a partner will help achieve the sound needed for this song.
For those looking to perfect their vocal technique, Singing Carrots has a great range of resources to help enhance your skills. The site offers a plethora of articles and videos that cover everything from analyzing your voice, breathing basics, voice registers, pitch accuracy, vocal health, and more. If you're interested in refining your singing skills, this is the place to start. Additionally, Singing Carrots offers a pitch training tool, which features interactive vocal warm-ups, a pitch visualizer, and exercises for range and agility.
In conclusion, Oklahoma! offers an excellent opportunity to learn and master the art of musical singing. With popular songs like "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," and "People Will Say We're in Love," aspiring singers can learn to sing with diverse musical styles. Adding Singing Carrots' resources to your singing practice can enhance your techniques and music theory knowledge. So go out there and sing your heart out!