Johnny may have only been able to sing one note but he sang the note well, so said Judy Garland in 1948. I wouldn’t say this is a singer’s coveted description of their vocal ability. And yet, as I continue to refine my Bel Canto legato in my vocal study, I am beginning to see some wisdom behind Johnny’s one note range.
Classical singer sand traps include singing all the right notes and rhythms with emotion while artistically delivering the line and language. Not an easy feat. Especially when you don’t always wake up with a throat running on all cylinders.
So my coach, Giovanni Longo, has been working with me on finding the one note in my voice. Pitches ascend, descend, and develop but ultimately, your voice should be one note. Holy Zen, Batman, I say. A singer needs a “Om” to call ” Home”indeed.
This may not be a new concept to some singers but I am just now hearing this perspective and it is very revealing.
I am now in a process of implementing it into my arias which isn’t an easy fix but it is a worthwhile chapter 11.
And of course, my eyes rolled as well as a 7th grader a week before a school dance, when I explained this concept to my Voice student today and she also realized the value of my coach’s insights.
All of which inspired the classic Robert Downey Jr meme.
So, after all of the woodshedding and rudiments of singing, you ultimately have to be like Johnny and sing one note well.
#akintsucrooner
akintsucrooner 