Singing Guide: The Two Svengalis

Singing Guide: The Two Svengalis

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Barbra Streisand is a legendary singer, well-known for her powerful voice and incredible range. In this article, we will explore some of her unique vocal technique and offer practical advice on how to learn singing like her. In addition, we will recommend some relevant Singing Carrots resources to help you become the next Barbra Streisand.

Barbra Streisand Vocal Technique:

Barbra Streisand's unique vocal technique is characterized by her incredible range, power, and control. She is known for her ability to hit high notes with ease, thanks to her well-developed head voice. One of the keys to her success is her ability to seamlessly switch between her chest voice and head voice, creating a beautiful, seamless sound.

Streisand often employs vibrato in her singing, which is a technique that creates a slight variation in pitch. This is a great tool for adding emotion and expression to your singing. She also makes use of phrasing, which is the way you group notes together to create a musical phrase. Streisand's phrasing is particularly noteworthy, as she is able to create a sense of tension and release with her singing.

Another characteristic of Streisand's singing is her use of dynamics. Dynamics refer to the loudness and softness of your voice. Streisand is able to create a dynamic range that adds depth to her songs. She can go from a whisper to a powerful belting note with ease, making her singing exciting and emotive.

Songs Showcasing Streisand's Technique:

  • "People": This song, from the musical Funny Girl, is a great example of Streisand's ability to switch between her chest voice and head voice. It also features her use of vibrato and phrasing.
  • "The Way We Were": This ballad is a perfect showcase for Streisand's dynamic range. She starts off soft and intimate, building to a powerful crescendo at the end.
  • "Don't Rain on My Parade": This showstopper from Funny Girl is a great example of Streisand's belting ability. She starts off powerful and energetic and never lets up.

Practical Advice:

Learning to sing like Barbra Streisand takes practice and dedication. Here are some practical tips to help you develop your own unique voice:

  1. Warm-up: Start every singing session with a proper warm-up. The Farinelli breathing exercise is a great way to warm up your breath and your voice.
  2. Practice phrasing: To improve your phrasing, try practicing with a metronome. Set it to a slow tempo and practice grouping your notes together in threes and fours.
  3. Breath support: Streisand's powerful voice is made possible by her strong breath support. Practice breathing exercises like the ones found in Singing Carrots' breath support article.
  4. Vocal range: Streisand is known for her wide vocal range. Use Singing Carrots' vocal range test to determine your range and work on expanding it.

Recommended Resources:

The following Singing Carrots resources are highly relevant to learning how to sing like Barbra Streisand:

Now you're ready to start practicing like Barbra Streisand. With the right tools, and a little dedication, you too can become a legendary singer like her!

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.