So, it’s President’s Day. This is the most patriotic thing I could come up with.
I’ve never sung the National Anthem for a major sporting event, but I have seen people screech out “the rocket’s red glare” because it was higher than they thought when they started. There’s no need to be surprised. If you don’t have a pitch pipe, it’s easy to estimate the starting pitch.
Just sing the highest note you’re comfortable singing. Then drop down an octave. That’s “Oh” as in “Oh say can you see.” The song’s melody never goes higher than the octave above the starting note (unless you’re showing off and do the little “Free—EEEE”).
Happy Birthday is another song that people always sing without accompaniment. The same principle applies, but it’s not as critical since the range of that song isn’t as broad. Start low and you’ll be fine. And your friends at the party will thank you.
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