Singing Guide: Once Upon a Mattress
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Once Upon a Mattress is a musical comedy based on the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. If you are looking to learn how to sing like Carol Burnett, who originated the role of Princess Winnifred, then you're in for a treat! Burnett's unique vocal technique and comedic timing made her the perfect fit for this character.
To sing like Burnett in Once Upon a Mattress, it's important to embrace Winnifred's sassy and spunky personality. In her musical numbers, such as "Shy," "Happily Ever After," and "The Swamps of Home," Burnett's voice is full of power and emotion. She uses her chest voice to create a deep, rich sound that adds to Winnifred's strong-willed persona. To achieve this technique, practice singing from your diaphragm and use proper breath support.
In addition to chest voice, Burnett also uses vibrato to add a playful and whimsical quality to her singing. Watch her performance of "Shy" to see how she uses vibrato to enhance the humor and character of the song.
It's also important to pay attention to Burnett's articulation. She enunciates each word clearly, allowing the audience to understand the lyrics and follow the story. You can practice your articulation using Singing Carrots' Finger Bite exercise.
To further improve your vocal technique and expand your range, Singing Carrots offers a variety of resources. The Vocal Range Test can help you determine your range and compare it to that of famous singers. The Pitch Accuracy Test can help you work on your pitch and accuracy, and the Pitch Monitor can show you a visual representation of the notes you are singing.
The Pitch Training section is especially useful, providing interactive exercises to improve your pitch, range, and agility. Additionally, Singing Carrots' Song Search can help you find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preference. Check out the resources on Contemporary Vocal Techniques, Vocal Health, and Stage Performance to further hone your skills.
Finally, Singing Carrots' singing course, which includes 21 lessons, covers everything from vocal theory to practical tips for singing. It's a valuable resource for beginner and advanced singers alike.
So, if you want to sing like Burnett in Once Upon a Mattress, remember to channel Winnifred's spunk and power, practice your chest voice and vibrato, and focus on your articulation. And, use Singing Carrots' resources to refine your technique and expand your range. Get ready to bring down the house!