The Perfect Modern Musical Theatre Duet
"Only Us" comes from the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen. It represents a moment of intimacy and relief between the characters Evan and Zoe. Unlike traditional "showstoppers" that rely on huge volume, this song requires vulnerability, precise pitch control, and a modern pop-ballad sensibility.
Singing this well is about resisting the urge to "perform." Pasek and Paul's writing demands an authentic, conversational approach that slowly builds into a soaring, romantic climax. Let's break down the technical requirements.
AI Coach Tip: Conversational Tone
Many singers use too much vibrato in the opening verse. Our analysis shows that keeping the tone straight and speech-like (as if you are whispering a secret) scores higher on style accuracy for the first 45 seconds.
Phase 1: The Verse (Speech Level)
Evan's opening lines ("I don't need you to sell me on reasons to want you") sit in a comfortable mid-range (F#3 - B3). The challenge here is breath support at low volume. If you don't support these quiet notes, they will go flat.
The Trap: Dropping the end of phrases. Ensure you sustain the energy through the end of the sentence, even as the volume drops.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Build)
As the song moves into the chorus ("I don't need more"), the placement needs to shift forward into the "mask." This is not a heavy chest belt; it is a bright, forward mix.
- Forward Resonance: Imagine the sound vibrating in your nose and cheekbones to get that "Ben Platt" bright tone.
- Vowel Modification: On words like "more" and "sure," open the jaw vertically to avoid a pinched sound as you ascend.
Phase 3: The Duet & Climax
When Zoe enters, the song becomes a masterclass in blending. The climax of the song ("It's not so impossible") pushes both singers into their upper mix register.
For Evan (or Tenors), the sustained B4 requires a narrow vowel shape. For Zoe (or Sopranos/Mezzos), the melody floats up to E5. The key is to match your partner's vowel shape exactly. If one singer uses a bright "Ah" and the other a dark "Aw," the harmony will sound muddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vocal range is quite wide. Ben Platt (Evan) belts up to a sustained B4, while Laura Dreyfuss (Zoe) hits an E5 in the upper harmony layers.
Absolutely. The Singing Coach AI app allows you to mute one of the vocal tracks, so you can sing the melody while the AI plays the harmony (or vice versa).
The "cry" technique involves a slight tilt of the thyroid cartilage. Think of the feeling just before you start to weep. This thins the vocal folds and allows for higher notes without strain.
