How to Learn a Song

Choose a song you love and can relate to on a personal level. If you must sing a song you do not like, find correlations in your life to try to relate to the subject of the song. Try to learn to love it.

Speak the lyrics over and over and make note of the creative ideas that come to you! Say the words as a monologue. Say them repeatedly again and let your inspiration run wild and guide you!

If you play piano, learn the melody with the piano. If you do not play piano, learn the melody with a tape of someone playing the melody as well as the accompaniment. To save the voice, try to learn the melody without singing it. Sing it after you have learned the notes!

Whenever possible, listen to a CD of the original only after you have developed your own ideas of what you want to do with the song. Listen to the artist perform the song, but do not copy their sound, vocal style or their inadequacies.

Practice the melody on a lip or tongue trill, and notice the complete freedom in your larynx. Then practice it on muh, nay, nah, neh, and/or nuh.

Sing the song all on vowels.

Practice the song using the original vowels.

NOW you should be ready to sing the song with the actual words!

TELL the story. Make the story your own.

Sing the song in front of a mirror. Make sure that you do not have any extra tension in your face or neck.

Use your inspiration and your acting skills!

Perform the song with an accompanist. Use a karaoke version if you do not have a pianist.

Perform the song for your family and friends.

Perform the song as much as you can!

Sing the song at least once a week after you know it to keep it in your repertoire!!

Do not sacrifice tone quality, ease or the correct technique for what you may think is style. Every style can be produced with the proper technique.