“You Must Use Your Breath”: How Aretha Franklin Gave Mariah Carey Her Vocal Superpower

When Mariah Carey tearfully reflected on her friendship with Aretha Franklin, the world got a rare glimpse into a moment that bridged two eras of vocal mastery. The late Queen of Soul, whose unmatched power and control redefined American music, once gave Carey a piece of advice so simple yet so transformative that it altered the course of her vocal technique — and, by extension, her career.

The Lesson That Changed Everything

Carey recalled the intimate exchange with Franklin, who shared her wisdom not in a formal masterclass but during a personal conversation between two artists. In that moment, Franklin offered a line that became a lifelong mantra for Carey:

“You must use your breath.”

What followed, Carey revealed, was a 10-minute exercise in breath-holding — a technique Franklin demonstrated to illustrate how complete control of the diaphragm, rather than the throat, powers the voice. For Carey, already known for her astonishing five-octave range, the realization marked a turning point.

The practice was not about singing louder but about sustaining tone and agility without strain. Franklin’s lesson emphasized endurance and release — understanding that every note, run, and phrase depended on disciplined control of the breath.

“It changed everything,” Carey said. “It wasn’t just about hitting notes — it was about living inside them.”

The Science of a Soulful Breath

Franklin’s method — holding a single breath for extended durations while maintaining posture and tone — was rooted in traditional vocal training but refined by her lifetime of experience performing live.

For a singer like Carey, whose signature melisma and whistle tones require precision at the edge of human capability, this training meant expanding the limits of what her voice could express. By learning to manage the air supply through her diaphragm, Carey could sustain notes across registers that would otherwise falter, maintaining clarity even in her highest range.

Data on Carey’s voice underscores the importance of this control: she possesses one of the broadest ranges in contemporary music, estimated between G2 and G7 — spanning five octaves. Such range demands exceptional breath discipline, particularly for live performances under intense pressure.

A Moment of Mutual Respect: VH1 Divas Live, 1998

One of the most memorable public intersections of the two legends came at VH1 Divas Live in 1998, where Franklin, Carey, and a lineup of powerhouse vocalists — including Céline Dion, Shania Twain, and Gloria Estefan — shared the stage.

Their joint performance of Franklin’s classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” was more than a musical tribute; it was a symbolic moment of mentorship. Franklin led the ensemble with the commanding grace of a matriarch, while Carey balanced reverence with her own vocal fireworks.

Although headlines at the time focused on the so-called “diva dynamics” among the performers, Carey’s later reflections reframed the night as one of deep gratitude. Her story about Franklin’s breath lesson revealed the genuine mentorship and respect that existed behind the scenes.

Legacy of the Lesson

Aretha Franklin’s influence on Mariah Carey extended beyond technique. It was a passing of spiritual and artistic wisdom — a lesson in self-possession, patience, and endurance. Franklin’s command of her voice was inseparable from her command of self, and she encouraged Carey to find the same equilibrium.

Decades later, Carey continues to cite breath control as one of the pillars of her success, a principle she now shares with aspiring singers.

“Aretha taught me to trust the breath,” Carey said. “It’s where the soul lives.”

A Torch Passed Through Song

The image of the Queen of Soul instructing the Songbird Supreme captures something rare: two of the greatest voices in modern music united not by competition, but by craft.

In just ten minutes, Aretha Franklin gave Mariah Carey more than a vocal technique — she gave her the foundation of a legacy. Every sustained note, every effortless run, every whisper and wail that followed in Carey’s career echoes that moment of mentorship, anchored by one timeless truth:

You must use your breath.