A Masterclass in Musical Theatre Character
"How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" is a delightful ensemble piece from Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. Performed by the Nuns of Nonnberg Abbey, the song is less about vocal gymnastics and more about rhythmic precision, diction, and capturing the exasperated yet affectionate character of the sisters.
The challenge lies in the rapid-fire delivery of the lyrics while maintaining a beautiful, classical vocal tone. It requires a seamless blend of "speak-singing" and melodic phrasing. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it.
AI Coach Tip: Crisp Consonants
This song lives and dies by its diction. Ensure you are over-articulating your T's, P's, and K's. The AI Coach analyzes the clarity of words like "flibbertigibbet" and "will-o'-the-wisp."
Phase 1: The Verses (The Complaints)
The song opens with individual nuns listing their grievances ("She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee"). This section sits comfortably in the middle range (C4-C5). The goal here is a conversational tone.
The Trap: Don't sing this too heavily. Keep the sound forward and light, almost as if you are gossiping. Avoid dragging the tempo; the rhythm should bounce.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Question)
When the melody expands into "How do you solve a problem like Maria?", the lines become more legato (smooth and connected). This requires excellent breath control.
- Rhythmic Patter: Words like "flibbertigibbet" require quick tongue movement. Practice this slowly to ensure every syllable is heard.
- Head Voice: As you ascend to the E5 and F5 notes, ensure you are in a clean head voice. Pushing chest voice here will sound too aggressive for a nun.
- Dynamics: Swell on the longer notes ("moonbeam," "hand") and pull back on the quicker conversational lines.
Phase 3: The Ending
The song concludes with a rhetorical question and a sustained final note. The challenge is maintaining pitch stability while tapering the volume off gently. Ensure your vibrato is controlled and not too wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
The melody typically reaches an F5. It is comfortably within the range of a Mezzo-Soprano or Soprano.
While the character is Austrian, a neutral, clear pronunciation (Mid-Atlantic or RP English) is standard for this musical style. Clarity is more important than a forced accent.
Use the Singing Coach AI app to slow the track down to 70%. Master the tongue-twisters at a slow speed, focusing on consonant crispness, then gradually speed it back up.
