Question for those who sing

It depends on the song. For me, I usually learn ballad lyrics with the music. For more complicated patter or upbeat tunes, I'll rehearse the lyrics rhythmically slowly and then build up to tempo to accomplish both memorizing the lyrics and enunciation. Then I'll add the music. But of course, when no piano or accompanist is available, endless looping of the cast recording is invaluable to learning lyrics if the recording uses the same version of the score.

PS - If the performance relies heavily on acting, when rehearsing alone, forget the music, forget the rhythm. Concentrate on the intent of the words as if they are spoken dialogue and apply the intent and stress to the music. Good songs have the emotionally stressed words naturally stressed in the music.

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Updated On: 5/3/04 at 07:10 PM

Yeah for me, it depends completely on the type of song. When I was learning the words to a french song for a classical voice audition, I memorized the words separately from the music. But for a "legit" belting piece, I go with the music and just listen to recordings.

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But don't try to copy a recording. You have to make it your own and rarely does sheet match the arrangement (or key, etc.) on the CD anyway.

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My acting teacher insists on learning any song as a monologue first - its truly helpful. You have to shake off the rhyme schemes and the feel of staying in tempo - just learn it and perform it as a monologue (this way you will truly connect with the material and make it make sense to you) then simply add pitch to the lyrics and let the song fly. It sounds much easier than it is - but in the end the results are wonderful if you let yourself go with it.

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You definetly have to find a way that works for you. Different performers have different methods, and you have to find your own. So try everything to see what you think works the best.

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I usually go for with the music.

I've been told that I have a great ear for music -- not only can I learn a piece once and never forget it, I can also tell where the music is going.

Typically, I'll have someone play it for me and then I'll just feel it out... and work on it till it's my own.

That's just me though -- many people have told me I'm just plain weird for that. lol

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also-try not to listen to the recording before you make acting choices for the song-if u cant help it because of tune-whatever-but it shows when u make ur own choices

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