The Ultimate Vocal Workout
"I’ll Make a Man Out of You," composed by Matthew Wilder for Disney’s Mulan, is more than just a catchy tune—it is a study in character acting and vocal stamina. Sung by Donny Osmond (the singing voice of Captain Li Shang), the song demands you portray a strict military leader. The vocal performance must transition from stern control to explosive power.
To score high on this track, you need to master the dynamic contrast. If you sing the intro too loud, you have nowhere to go for the chorus. If you sing the chorus too soft, you lose the character authority.
AI Coach Tip: Military Diction
Li Shang is a general, not a pop star. Attack your consonants crisply. Our analysis shows users lose points on words like "coursing," "river," and "typhoon" by slurring them. Think staccato (detached) rhythm.
Phase 1: The Stern Intro (0:00 - 0:45)
The song begins low, hovering around G2-B2 on the line "Let's get down to business." For Tenors, this can be tricky. Do not push your larynx down to fake a deeper sound; this damages pitch accuracy. Instead, keep your volume low (pianissimo) and use plenty of breath support to keep the tone steady without vocal fry.
Phase 2: The Build (0:45 - 1:25)
On the bridge ("Time is racing toward us..."), the melody lifts, and the instrumentation thickens. You should be in your chest voice but begin to brighten the tone. The phrasing here is crucial—don't rush. Sing "Tranquil as a forest" with smooth legato lines to contrast the punchy chorus that follows.
Phase 3: The Chorus Belt (1:25 - End)
This is the payoff. The line "BE A MAN" hits a strong E4 and climbs to F#4 and eventually A4. This requires a confident chest belt. To avoid strain:
- Support: Engage your core muscles firmly before the phrase starts.
- Placement: Aim the sound forward, towards your hard palate (behind your top teeth).
- Vowel Mod: On high notes, modify the "Man" vowel slightly towards "Men" or "Mun" to keep the throat open.
Frequently Asked Questions
The core melody belts up to a G#4/A4 in the final choruses. There are ad-libs in the backing vocals that go higher, but the lead vocal stays within a Tenor/Baritenor belting range.
Yes, this is an excellent song for Baritones. The verses sit comfortably in the lower range, and the chorus provides a great workout for your upper chest voice extension without being impossibly high.
The lyrics are fast-paced. Practice "snatch breaths"—quick, silent inhalations through the mouth between phrases like "mysterious as the dark side of the moon."
