Song Interpretation and Character Singing:
When singing, there are certain things you need, particularly in a musical. using the right technique. Breathing is a vital bodily function. However, the vocalist with the most refined technique is not necessarily the greatest. Whoever gets to the core of the song analysis is the greatest musical theatre artist. the character’s core. the one who gives the music significance. gives it a personal touch.
People relate on an emotional level. They relate to individual narratives. And that has far more significance than a note that is postponed until Tuesday of next week if the singer performs this. It goes beyond the notes alone.
So, how do vocalists relate to the song other than through the notes?
Make inquiries!
Examine the song you are singing. Pose queries concerning the song and the character and respond to them. The more your knowledge base, the greater the depth you can produce. If you can attach a held note to the character directly, it becomes an emotional bond. Begin by posing the following queries:
Physically, where is the character?
Furthermore, this does not imply that they are in the kitchen or the hallway. This could imply:
- What stage of life are they in?
- In connection to the other characters, where are they?
- Just before they start singing this song, where are they?
“No One is Alone” from Into the Shadows is one example. The baker is left to raise his child by himself after losing his wife. In the scene “Close Every Door” from Joseph and an Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Joseph has been imprisoned and has little chance of escaping.
In terms of emotions, where is the character?
Characters in musicals are driven to the brink of exhaustion, leaving them with no choice but to sing. What, therefore, is the character’s emotional “why” for needing to sing?
“I Feel Pretty” from the Broadway musical West Side Story is one example. Maria is so joyful and in love that she can’t help but start singing. Each character in Hairspray, even in a scene as frothy as “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” has a distinct emotional perspective.
Consider this as well: Does the character undergo a physical or emotional transformation by the song’s conclusion?
What desires does the character have?
Is your character attempting to decide what to do? Do they wish to express how they feel about a different character? Do they wish to be happy? A fresh start? returning to their former life? This is closely related to understanding the character’s mental and bodily states. The simplest method to establish a connection with an audience is to be aware of the character’s desires and convey them via the song.
For instance, Elphaba in Wicked sings, “I’m not that Girl,” referring to the girl that boys like, but her greatest desire is to BE that girl. This is after a boy runs far from her. Eliza wants her great night—as well as her newfound direction in life—to go on and on in the song “I would’ve danced all night” from My Fair Lady. The Phantom (The Spectre of the Theatre) wants Victoria to adore him and his music in “Music of the Night.”
Singing the song’s lyrics as well as the pitches that make it up is crucial.
What is the song’s plot?
What is the song’s backstory? Verify that you comprehend what is being said. what has been happening in the narrative thus far. Musical numbers can occasionally rely on metaphor, and it’s simple to spot someone who is just mouthing lyrics without giving them any thought. Could you sum up the music in one sentence?
The character is singing to who?
Is it a certain individual? To whom is it addressed? If it’s the audience, that’s okay, but consider what that individual is attempting to say or accomplish for the audience. Be precise; “no one” is not a suitable response.
For instance, Annie is singing to herself and her dog when she sings the song “Tomorrow.” She is persuading both the audience and herself to persevere because tomorrow will always come.
Song Interpretation:
Little Shop of Horrors’ “Somewhere That’s Green” contains some quite amusing lyrics, and Audrey usually has a pretty funny voice, so it’s easy to get caught up in concentrating on those parts during singing the song. Playing Audrey as a simple dope is easy. However, you’ll find that to be fairly boring, and the audience will too.The song has a lot of heart, but it also has a lot of character. A singer can relate to a variety of things and then share those connections with the audience.
By this moment in the musically we are aware that Audrey is a florist at Mushnik’s Skid Row and has met Oren, her abusive motorcycle-riding boyfriend. Audrey confesses she could have feelings for Seymour, the main character, just before the song starts. Seymour is her boyfriend’s total opposite.
