Get to know your lyrics

Embracing Your Unique Voice in music

So don't be intimidated by the songs that we have to learn. You know, hundreds of people have sung these songs before, and they've all brought something new to it.

Discovering Your Own Voice

• I'm not going to teach you how to sing it like I sing it.
• I want you to learn how to sing it, how you sing it.
• It's so important to discover your own ability, to discover your own voice, and to make the song your own.

I'm not going to criticize how you interpret the song. You must develop your emotional interpretation and stick by it. Believe in it.

The Importance of Understanding the Lyrics

When I approach a new song, the first thing I do, and this is a big lesson I learned at music college, is to read the lyrics.

Key Steps:

1. Read the lyrics
2. Understand what the song is about first

Don't jump straight into the tune. Sometimes composers create beautiful melodies and accompaniments that can overshadow the true emotion of the lyrics.

"You could be singing about tragic disasters with a huge smile on your face, and it's not reflecting the song."

A Personal Experience

I learned this lesson the hard way when I was at music college singing an operatic aria from Elisir d'Amore by Donizetti. The melody has a passionate feel, filled with overwhelming joy when the orchestra kicks in.

However, I didn't understand the Italian lyrics. The song is about heartbreak, and here I was, smiling and enjoying the music, not knowing that it tells the story of a guy distraught that the woman he loves won't reciprocate.

At the end of the masterclass, a wonderful British tenor, Philip Langridge, asked,

"Do you know what you're singing about?"

Admitting I lacked understanding was a humbling moment, but it reinforced a crucial lesson for me.

Understanding the Song's Intent

This lesson goes beyond foreign languages; it applies to English songs as well.

For example, take Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

• It's about help, about rescue.
• It's about saving someone's emotions and soul, guiding them through life's troubles.

An Essential Practice

• Don't let the composition, like the instrumentation, take over.
• Listen to the words.

To begin with, I recommend:

1. Sit with the lyrics in front of you.
2. Read it in your head.
3. Read it out loud.
4. Recite it repeatedly, without any music or notes.

Once the lyrics and their emotions are firmly in your mind, you'll connect with the song on a deeper level.

That's really what I would do first, even before attempting to sing a song.