đ¶ Vocal coaches react: Why is the national anthem so tough to sing?
Singing âThe Star-Spangled Bannerâ is a notoriously difficult task, even for seasoned performers.
Broadway vocal coach Tracey Grimaldi told Yahoo Entertainment: âItâs not a song you can sing without really good preparation. Itâs an octave and a half, specifically, a range of 12 pitches. You have to know what your first note is, otherwise itâs easy to go off-key.â
Thatâs especially true when youâre singing a capella (without music accompaniment).
âItâs a really hard song to sing. Everyone knows if you miss a word or a note, which happens because of nerves,â she said. âYou can do something a million times in your bedroom, in your shower, but thatâs not the same thing as getting out there and doing it in front of everyone.â
âI just wish everybody was nicer to people in general [and] just go, oh well that wasnât great, then enjoy the game,â said Grimaldi via email. âIf it wasnât great, anyone criticizing her should record themselves singing the National Anthem acapella and post that. If they can do better, theyâre hired.â