How to Sing Like Bernadette Peters | Musical Theatre Tips

What Makes Bernadette Peters' Singing So Distinctive?

Bernadette Peters has a recognizable vocal style, but what makes her performances especially compelling is the way she uses her voice to communicate a character's thoughts and emotions.

1. She Treats Every Song Like a Story

In musical theatre, a song is rarely just a song. It usually represents a moment in a character's life, whether they're making a decision, expressing a fear, celebrating a victory, or trying to understand a relationship.

Peters is particularly admired for the detail she brings to lyrics. A small pause, a change in emphasis, or a shift in vocal intensity can make a line feel spontaneous and meaningful.

To practise this yourself, read the lyrics of a song before singing it. Ask yourself what the character wants, who they're addressing, and how their feelings change throughout the song. Then sing the lyrics with those intentions in mind.

2. Her Diction Makes the Lyrics Count

Clear diction is an important part of musical theatre singing. Audiences need to understand the words, especially when the lyrics carry the story forward.

Listen to how Peters shapes individual words and consonants. Notice how she makes the lyrics understandable without making every word sound overly deliberate.

Try speaking a short section of a song at a natural conversational pace. Then sing it while keeping the words just as clear. Avoid overpronouncing every syllable, which can make the performance sound stiff.

3. She Uses Phrasing to Create Character

Phrasing refers to how a singer shapes a musical line, including timing, emphasis, pauses, and breath. Peters often brings a theatrical quality to her phrasing, making a lyric sound like a genuine thought rather than a rehearsed line.

Choose a short passage and experiment with singing it in different ways. Try emphasizing a different word each time and notice how the meaning changes. You can also explore small pauses where they make sense for the character, while staying within the song's musical structure.

The goal isn't to add dramatic flourishes everywhere. It's to make deliberate choices that help the audience follow the story.

How to Develop a More Expressive Musical Theatre Voice

You don't need a naturally theatrical voice to become a more engaging musical theatre singer. Many of these skills can be developed through focused practice.

Practise Vocal Flexibility

Musical theatre songs can move between speech-like passages, sustained notes, and more demanding melodic lines. Developing flexibility helps you move between these styles without losing control.

Start with gentle humming or lip trills, then sing a short, comfortable scale. Keep the sound easy and consistent rather than trying to make it louder or more dramatic.

As you become more comfortable, apply the same sense of ease to a short phrase from a musical theatre song. If your voice feels tight, reduce the volume or choose an easier passage.

Focus on Breath and Musical Phrasing

Long phrases and sustained notes can be challenging when you're also trying to communicate a character's emotions. Planning your breaths can help you maintain a steady sound without interrupting the meaning of the lyric.

Mark the natural breathing points in your song. Practise each phrase separately, keeping your shoulders and jaw relaxed. Once the phrases feel comfortable, connect them while maintaining the character's intention.

Explore Vocal Colour

Expressive singers don't use the same tone for every lyric. A lighter sound may communicate curiosity or vulnerability, while a fuller, more intense sound can suggest determination or frustration.

Experiment with subtle changes in tone while keeping your voice comfortable. Think about what the character is feeling at each moment and how the sound might reflect that feeling.

You don't need to force a particular vocal colour. The aim is to discover how different sounds can support the story while preserving healthy vocal habits.

An Exercise Inspired by Bernadette Peters' Approach

Try this exercise with a musical theatre song you enjoy.

Step 1: Choose a short section. Select four to eight lines with a clear emotional shift.

Step 2: Speak the lyrics. Imagine you're the character speaking directly to another person. Focus on what each line means.

Step 3: Identify the important words. Choose one or two words in each phrase that carry the main message.

Step 4: Sing the passage naturally. Keep the sound comfortable and let the meaning guide your phrasing.

Step 5: Experiment with the character's emotions. Sing the passage again as the character becomes more excited, uncertain, frustrated, or hopeful. Adjust your timing and vocal intensity without forcing your voice.

Step 6: Record and listen. Ask yourself whether the lyrics are clear and whether the emotional progression comes across. Focus on storytelling as much as vocal accuracy.

This exercise can help you move beyond simply singing the notes and begin making stronger interpretive choices.

Choosing Musical Theatre Songs That Suit Your Voice

It's tempting to choose a song because you admire the performer who sings it. However, a song that suits Bernadette Peters may not be the best fit for your current range, experience, or vocal style.

When choosing audition material or songs to practise, consider:

• Range: Can you sing the notes comfortably without pushing?
• Character: Do you understand the person singing and what they want?
• Phrasing: Does the song give you opportunities to explore timing and expression?
• Style: Does the material suit your voice and the kind of performer you want to become?
• Preparation: Can you perform the song confidently and consistently, rather than only getting through it on a good day?
  

A song that fits your voice and gives you room to tell a story will usually be more effective than one chosen only because it's famous.

Develop Your Musical Theatre Skills at The Singing Place

Bernadette Peters demonstrates how technique and storytelling work together to create memorable performances. Her approach is a useful source of inspiration for singers who want to develop their musical theatre skills, improve their phrasing, and become more confident performers.

At The Singing Place, instructor Kathleen Kernohan helps singers work on vocal technique, control, confidence, and expression. Whether you're exploring musical theatre for the first time, preparing for an audition, or looking to bring more personality to your performances, lessons can help you build skills that support your individual voice.

You don't have to sound like Bernadette Peters to learn from her. The goal is to develop the technique and interpretive skills that allow you to communicate a song's story in your own way.

Contact The Singing Place to learn more about singing lessons and take the next step toward becoming a more confident, expressive singer.