Students come into my studio all the time needing to work on this song, as they are asked to perform it at athletic events, school programs, church functions, and any other place where the occasion opens with the singing of the national anthem. Well, I hope in this post to demystify the “Star-Bangled Banner”- to help you really understand it, to make it approachable, and most importantly in my book, to sing it respectfully and with deep meaning and patriotism. And, we’ve all heard it sung badly by a host of singers, from local amateurs to world-famous professionals, so that brings even more negative baggage to the idea of having to sing such a difficult song, and usually in front of a very large crowd! So, what’s a singer to do? Oh, Say, Can YOU sing the Star-Spangled Banner? Ask almost any singer about performing this song, and a look of fear, or at least hesitation, crosses their face! There’s no doubt that it’s not the easiest melody, or even the easiest lyrics, to sing. Can you believe that it’s almost July 4th?! Independence Day is just around the corner, and that makes it the perfect time to talk about our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”.

The star spangled banner song sung