Learning to Sing “Be Thankful for What You Got” by Massive Attack
Massive Attack’s soulful track “Be Thankful for What You Got” uses a unique vocal technique: soulful vibrato, which gives the melody its signature wavy sound. Vibrato is a pitch fluctuation used by experienced singers for expressive purposes. Learn more about vibrato here. You can hear similar techniques in Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” or Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”.
Step-by-Step Guide
Understand your range
Begin by understanding your vocal range through the vocal range test. While the song’s mid-range notes suit most voice types, recognizing your voice limits ensures a comfortable singing experience.
Master the melody line
Use the Pitch Training tool to perfect the song’s melody line and improve your ear-to-voice coordination. Remember to sing along and listen carefully to capture the song’s rhythm and flow.
Learn vocal vibrato
A crucial part of this song is the expressive vibrato technique. Practice the Beggars Bounce exercise to master the concept and later integrate this technique into the song seamlessly.
Perfect your pitch
Take the pitch accuracy test routinely. This will help you distinguish between flat, sharp, and on-pitch notes, crucial for nailing the expressive soulful vibrato used in the song.
Practice with emotion
Remember that the vibrato technique is often used to convey emotion. Practice channeling emotion into your singing by following advice from our article Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking.
Leverage technology
Use the Vocal Pitch Monitor to get real-time feedback for your pitch accuracy and vibrato depth – an excellent way to ensure you’re hitting the right notes with the correct technique.
With dedication and regular practice, you’ll be singing “Be Thankful for What You Got” like a pro. Happy singing!