Bessie Smith was known as the Empress of the Blues and is considered to be one of the most influential blues singers of all time. Her powerful, soulful voice and her ability to convey a range of emotions has made her music timeless.

To learn to sing like Bessie, it is important to focus on certain elements and use specific resources.

Breathing:

Breath support is the foundation of any singer’s technique. You can learn breathing exercises from Singing Carrots' instructional video on Farinelli breathing which will help with your breath control and phrasing. Proper breathing is essential in order to have the vocal control necessary to sing great songs like "Back Water Blues" or "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" in the powerful, soulful manner that Bessie was known for.

Voice registers:

Understanding voice registers and mastering the voice break is also key to singing like Bessie. Singing Carrots' article on voice registers and break focuses on this topic and provides helpful exercises to practice. This will allow you to achieve the range and control needed to convey the range of emotions in Bessie’s songs.

Vocal distortion:

Vocal distortion is also a hallmark of Bessie’s style. Aspirants can start experimenting with some light distortion with the help of the Singing Carrots' video on vocal distortion & growling which provides a step-by-step guide to help you get the sound right.

Songs showcasing Bessie's unique vocal technique:

Some of Bessie Smith’s notable songs include "St. Louis Blues," "Down Hearted Blues," and "Need a Little Sugar in my Bowl." These songs highlight her unique vocal technique and can be great examples to learn from.

Resources to use:

Singing Carrots provides a range of tools that can help you learn to sing like Bessie including vocal range and pitch accuracy tests, pitch training, a range of search filters to help you find appropriate songs matching your vocal range, and a singing course geared towards beginners, which covers practical tips for vocal technique.

By incorporating Singing Carrots' helpful articles and instructional videos into your vocal practice, and focusing on specific aspects of Bessie’s vocal technique, you can learn to sing like the Empress of the Blues herself!