Learning to Sing Like Show Boat

If you love musicals, you know that Show Boat is one of the best. The 1927 classic by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II was the first musical that actually had a strong story arc, tackling serious subjects like forbidden love and racial inequality.

Part of what makes Show Boat so incredible is the music itself. If you want to learn to sing like Show Boat, you'll need to employ some specific techniques to really capture the style of the music.

Technique #1: Articulation

One of the hallmarks of Show Boat is its clear, precise lyrics. When you're singing the songs of Show Boat, you'll need to make sure that your articulation is sterling. Practice by enunciating each syllable in your songs and pay special attention to consonants (which can often be cut off).

Singing Carrots Resource: Articulation article

Technique #2: Resonance

A big part of capturing the sound of Show Boat is resonance. You'll need to open up your throat fully to get that big, boomy sound that's so essential to the show's music. Consciously focus on keeping your mouth open and your soft palate in the right position.

Singing Carrots Resource: Resonance article

Technique #3: Chest Voice

Show Boat is known for its strong belts, which require a powerful chest voice. Work on developing your chest voice by practicing your scales and focusing on maintaining a consistent sound throughout your range.

Singing Carrots Resource: Voice Registers & Vocal Break article

Suggested Song: "Ol' Man River"

If you really want to learn to sing like Show Boat, you'll need to tackle one of the show's most iconic songs: "Ol' Man River." This song requires expert-level technique, but with the right focus and practice, you can really make it your own.

Singing Carrots Resource: Search for "Ol' Man River" in the Song Search tool

Putting It All Together: Practice Tips

To really learn the sound of Show Boat, take the time to practice your techniques. Use the Singing Carrots resources to help you along the way. Here are a few tips:

• Focus on one technique each day. Spend a few minutes practicing your articulation one day, then move on to resonance the next and so on.
• Sing with accompaniment recordings to help you stay in pitch.
• Record yourself singing and listen back to catch where you can improve.

With practice, you can learn to sing like Show Boat and capture the magic of this classic musical.