The Art of Vocal Intimacy
The Nearness of You is a masterclass in subtlety. Recorded for her diamond-certified debut album Come Away With Me, Norah Jones reimagines this Hoagy Carmichael standard with nothing but a piano and her voice. The difficulty here isn't range; it's tone.
To sing this well, you need to abandon the idea of "projection" and embrace "conversation." The song sits comfortably in the Alto/Mezzo range (G3-C5), allowing you to focus entirely on texture and phrasing.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Onsets
Norah uses "aspirate onsets" (starting the sound with breath) rather than "glottal onsets" (hard clicks). Our analysis shows users often attack the word "It's" in the first line too harshly. Soften your attack.
Phase 1: The Verse (0:00 - 1:12)
The song opens with "It's not the pale moon that excites me." The melody hovers in the lower chest register. Keep your volume low, around a 3 out of 10. The goal is to sound like you are whispering a secret to someone right next to you.
The Trap: Because the notes are low, singers often push their larynx down to create artificial depth. Don't do this. Keep your voice light and forward, even on the G3.
Phase 2: The Bridge (1:13 - 1:45)
On "When you're in my arms...", the melody lifts slightly. This is where you introduce a warmer, fuller resonance, but keep the vibrato minimal. Norah uses straight tone for most of the note, only allowing a slight shimmer of vibrato at the very end of the phrase.
- And I feel you: This phrase requires smooth legato lines. Connect the vowels.
- So close to me: Allow a slight slide (portamento) between notes to enhance the jazz feel.
Phase 3: The Outro (2:40 - End)
After the piano solo, the vocals return with even more breathiness. The final "nearness of you" should fade out delicately. Ensure you have enough breath support to sustain the final note without it wavering in pitch.
Remember, this style of singing can dry out your cords quickly because of the high airflow. Stay hydrated and don't push more air than necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
The melody tops out at a C5. It is very accessible for most female voices without needing to belt.
Relax your vocal cord closure slightly to let more air escape with the tone. However, keep your diaphragm engaged! If you lose support, the pitch will go flat.
Absolutely. It is a Great American Songbook standard. Men can sing it an octave lower (G2-C4), which puts it in a very comfortable Baritone range.
