A Masterclass in Storytelling and Resolution
"Finale" by Ben Platt and the Cast of Dear Evan Hansen is a song of redemption and peace. Unlike the anxiety-ridden "Waving Through a Window," this track requires a grounded, mature vocal approach. It revisits the musical themes of "For Forever," but delivers them with a sense of closure.
To sing this well, you need to balance conversational intimacy with the soaring resonance that Ben Platt is famous for. The challenge lies in maintaining vocal energy even during the quieter, spoken-style passages.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
Ben Platt uses very crisp, almost percussive consonants to drive the emotion. Don't let the ends of words drop off. Our analysis shows higher scores for users who over-articulate the 't's and 'd's.
Phase 1: The Intimate Opening
The song starts with Evan speaking/singing: "Dear Evan Hansen, today is going to be a good day." This sits in a mid-range speaking voice. The goal here is vulnerability.
The Trap: Many singers try to "perform" this section too much. Keep it small. Use a breathy onset if necessary to convey the relief of the character, but ensure you are still supporting the breath so the pitch doesn't sag.
Phase 2: The "For Forever" Reprise
As the melody climbs to the familiar "All we see is sky for forever," you need to switch gears into a bright mix voice. The key is B Major, which can be tricky for the break in male voices.
- Resonance: Aim for a "forward" placement. Feel the vibration in your mask (nose and cheekbones). This gives you the "Ben Platt sound" without shouting.
- Vibrato: Platt uses a fast, shimmering vibrato at the very end of phrases. Practice straight tone first, then allow the vibrato to bloom only on the last second of the note.
Phase 3: The Choral Blend
When the cast joins in, the texture becomes thick and choral. Your job as the lead is to float above the texture without piercing through it aggressively. The climax hits a G#4, which should be sung with an open throat but a narrow vowel shape (think "Eh" instead of a wide "Ah") to maintain mix control.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lead vocal melody hits a sustained G#4. Depending on ad-libs, you may touch an A4, but the G#4 is the primary belt note required.
It helps, as the song sits in the passaggio (break area). However, Baritones can sing this by modifying vowels to be more narrow or by transposing the song down -1 or -2 semitones in the app.
The "cry" technique involves a slightly higher larynx and a tilt of the thyroid cartilage. Think of the sensation of whimpering like a puppy—this engages the right muscles for that emotional, bright tone.
