The Making Musical Quantum Leaps Podcast

In this episode, I explain what singing in cursive is and how it can be used to create a unique vocal style. I use a famous video from the American Idol audition of Erika Perry singing ET by Katy Perry as an example of singing in cursive. I also share some tips on how to practice singing in cursive and improve your vocal skills. Singing in cursive is a term that describes a way of singing where the words are slurred together and the vowels are elongated. It can create a smooth and flowing sound, but it can also make the lyrics hard to understand. Singing in cursive is often used in genres like R&B, soul, and pop, where the emphasis is more on the melody and the emotion than the clarity of the words. One of the most viral examples of singing in cursive is the American Idol audition of Erika Perry, who sang ET by Katy Perry in 2012. In the video, she sings the chorus of the song with a lot of cursive style, but also with a lot of attitude and sass. She even adds some extra words and sounds that are not in the original lyrics, such as "ooh la la" and "meow". The judges and the viewers were both amused and confused by her performance, which has over 15 million views on YouTube. If you want to learn how to sing in cursive, here are some tips that can help you: - Listen to singers who use cursive style, such as Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars. Try to imitate their pronunciation and intonation, and pay attention to how they connect the words and the syllables. - Practice singing scales and exercises with different vowel sounds, such as "ah", "ee", "oo", and "ay". Try to make the transitions between the vowels as smooth and seamless as possible, without breaking the sound or changing the pitch. - Sing along to songs that have simple and catchy melodies, such as nursery rhymes, folk songs, or pop songs. Try to sing the lyrics in cursive style, without losing the meaning or the rhythm of the words. You can also try to add some embellishments, such as runs, trills, or vibrato, to make it more expressive and interesting. Singing in cursive can be a fun and creative way to express yourself with your voice. It can also help you develop your vocal range, control, and flexibility. However, it is important to balance it with clear and crisp pronunciation, especially when you are singing for an audience or a competition. You don't want to sound like you are mumbling or slurring your words, or worse, like you are singing in a different language. Remember, singing in cursive is a style, not a rule. Use it wisely and sparingly, and you will be able to impress and entertain your listeners with your unique and beautiful voice.