How To Learn Singing Like the Seesaw Cast

Seesaw, a musical by Cy Coleman, starred a trio that included Michele Lee, Ken Howard, and Tommy Tune. This diverse cast came together on a journey filled with a sense of magic and the everyday mundanity of everyday life. Directed by Michael Bennett, the show's score included memorable songs such as "It's Not Where You Start (It's Where You Finish)," "Nobody Does It Like Me," and "I'm Way Ahead." In this instructional piece, we will explore what made each of these performers unique, and how you can incorporate their techniques into your own vocal style.

Michele Lee: Rise To Your High Notes

Michele Lee carries the lion's share of the singing throughout Seesaw as Gittel Mosca. She also plays the role of the comedic lead, a role that she relishes in any opportunity. Out of all of the performers in the Seesaw cast, Lee possesses the most natural vocal talent. However, what sets her apart is her ability to combine this raw potential with an unwavering sense of emotionality and a focus on individual lines.

Lee's vocal style is light and nimble, and she can skillfully navigate any vocal register. She's also a master of interpretation, fully immersing herself in the material. Her technique encompasses a lot of breath work, long phrasing, and consistent vocalization, so if you want to sing like Michele, you must practice breath support to better control your vocal range. Experiment with pitch accuracy by using the Pitch Accuracy Test and monitoring your progress with the Progress Statistics feature.

Ken Howard: Swing Your Way to Vocal Success

Ken Howard played Jerry Ryan, the charming and charismatic male lead in Seesaw. However, what separates him from his castmates is his exceptional swing-style musicality. He brings the same level of attention to the music that he does to the lyrics, bringing a natural and groovy syncopation to his singing that makes it nearly impossible to sit still.

Howard's voice is robust, warm, and soulful, with plenty of vibrato and power. His pitch is always right on, and he demonstrates a lot of dynamic variation throughout Seesaw. To emulate his style, try taking a few of the songbook exercises within the music theory course. Once you've honed your skills, start selecting songs that embody Ken Howard's swing style to incorporate his singing style within your own performances.

Tommy Tune: The Power of Great Heights

Tommy Tune, the towering presence of Seesaw's trio, is the tallest man to ever win a Tony award for a musical role. Now retired, Tommy Tune is a legend in the Broadway community, known for his tapping skills, his innate charm, and his high tenor voice. His exceptional technique and vocal style were showcased in Seesaw, bringing a strong and distinctive character to the production.

Tune possesses impeccable breath control, and he always seemed to effortlessly push his voice to the absolute limit. His approach is confident and unapologetic - precisely what you need to sing at the highest stakes. He is vocal, versatile, and his unique style of vocalization is a blend of power, technique, and personality. Explore the vocal range of various beloved artists by using the Vocal Range Test and find contemporary vocal techniques like Twang or Belting in the educational course "Contemporary vocal techniques: Heavy modal, Twang, Belting" available in the resource list.

Seesaw's triumvirate of singers showcases not only exceptional singing voices, but also how much personal character and charisma can engrave themselves on a performance. By following in the footsteps of Michele Lee, Ken Howard, and Tommy Tune, and by using our website's resources, you can take your own singing style to the next level. Good luck!