If you're a fan of the classic movie musicals, you've almost certainly heard of Pamela Britton. Perhaps best known for her role as Gladys in the original Broadway production of "The Pajama Game," or her appearances in films like "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Some Like It Hot," and "Kiss Me, Stupid," Britton was a talented performer with a distinctive singing style. But how can you learn to sing like Pamela Britton?

First, it's important to understand what made Britton's voice unique. As a singer, Pamela Britton favored a light, sweet tone with a hint of vibrato and a careful attention to pitch. She emphasized clear diction and a smooth vocal line, with a focus on storytelling through song. To achieve this sound yourself, it's important to work on a few key areas.

Breath support is crucial to any style of singing, but particularly for achieving Britton's effortless sound. Check out Singing Carrots' breathing basics and breath support articles for more detailed instruction on the topic. In addition, Britton's approach emphasizes a relatively closed mouth with a focus on resonating sound through the sinuses rather than the throat – Singing Carrots has a helpful article on that topic, too, so be sure to brush up on your technique.

For specific exercises to build vocal control and accuracy, Singing Carrots' pitch accuracy test, vocal pitch monitor, and pitch training game can all be extremely useful. Exercises like Lip Trills, Humming, and "ng" can also help develop vocal strength and control while minimizing tension in the vocal cords.

When it comes to song choice, Pamela Britton had a wide repertoire ranging from show tunes to standards to rock and roll, though she tended to favor songs that allowed for clear, precise storytelling. A few songs to check out for inspiration might include "There's No Business Like Show Business," "The Secret of Christmas," and "Que Sera, Sera."

Incorporating these techniques and resources into your own singing practice can help you develop a sweet, clear sound reminiscent of Pamela Britton's classic style. With dedication and practice, you can learn to sing like this iconic performer in no time.