The melody flops around like a fish in a rowboat. It finally slides down two notes and then jumps again down a sixth to the third and then finally up two notes to the fifth.
In the key of ‘B flat’, the first melodic phrase starts on the ‘F’ above middle ‘C’, jumping down a major triad, then jumping up a major triad, then up to the octave and then up to a major third above that. So, why is the Star Spangled Banner so difficult to sing? Is it possible that it isn’t a very well written song…or not a song at all? But, there are many songs with larger vocal ranges that don’t give a singer half as many problems as does the Star Spangled Banner. So, I guess the song simply requires an excellent vocalist. If you are aware of the late Whitney Houston’s recording of the work, you would have to say that her rendition does inspire hope, faith and patriotism. Okay, the Star Spangled Banner is difficult to sing partly because it has somewhat of an extended range. We stand and cringe because of the torturous execution of the song. We all wait in great suspense to hear if he or she is going to hit the note that makes us feel the sense of glory, freedom, respect and national pride we have for the United States.
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