Singing Guide: Wicked
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you're a fan of Wicked, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, you might want to learn how to sing like the show's star, Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba. Her unique and powerful voice has been praised by critics and fans alike, and if you love Wicked, you've probably sung along to "Defying Gravity" more than once.
To sing like Idina Menzel, you need to focus on developing your vocal range and control while also paying attention to the emotional nuances in her performances. One of the first things you should do is take Singing Carrots' Vocal Range Test to determine your own range and compare it to Idina's. From there, you can start to work on expanding your range and developing your mix voice, which is key to being able to belt out those high notes in "Defying Gravity." Singing Carrots' Pitch Training tool is a great way to work on improving your pitch accuracy, which is also essential when trying to emulate Idina's singing.
When it comes to actually singing Wicked songs like "Defying Gravity" or "For Good," you should focus on nailing the emotional arc of the song and bringing your own personal interpretation to it. Check out Singing Carrots' article on how to learn a song effectively for some tips on how to break down the lyrics and melody and make them your own. It's also important to work on proper breathing and support, as Wicked songs can be quite challenging vocally. Singing Carrots has some great resources on breathing basics, breath support, and active/passive breathing that can help you develop good habits.
Another key aspect of singing like Idina Menzel is paying attention to her unique vocal technique. She often uses a combination of twang and belting to achieve her signature sound. Check out Singing Carrots' video on how to execute the Twang vocal technique and their article on contemporary vocal techniques like belting for more information.
Overall, learning to sing like Idina Menzel takes time, patience, and practice, but with the right tools and techniques, you can get closer to achieving her iconic sound. Check out Singing Carrots' Vocal Health articles and courses to make sure you're taking care of your voice throughout the process.