Singing Guide: Bette Davis

Singing Guide: Bette Davis

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Bette Davis was one of the most iconic actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age and a huge influence on American cinema. Davis' unique approach to acting and voice production allowed her to bring a level of intensity and realism to her performances that is still unmatched today. In this article, we'll explore Bette Davis' vocal technique, discuss some of her most famous performances, and offer practical advice and resources to help you learn how to sing like Bette Davis.

Bette Davis' Vocal Technique

Bette Davis' unique vocal technique can be described as low, throaty, and with a pronounced mid-Atlantic accent. She was known for her ability to use her voice to convey a wide range of emotions, from vulnerability to anger, and her distinctive speech pattern became one of her trademarks.

To learn how to sing like Bette Davis, you'll need to focus on developing a low, resonant voice that is full of emotion and intensity. This requires a great deal of breath support, as well as proper vocal technique and placement.

Top Performances

  • "Jezebel": In her performance as the title character in "Jezebel," Bette Davis delivers one of her most iconic monologues. The scene showcases her ability to convey a wide range of emotions through her voice, from vulnerability to anger.
  • "All About Eve": Bette Davis won an Academy Award for her performance as Margo Channing in "All About Eve." In this film, Davis delivers another powerful monologue in which she demonstrates her ability to use her voice to capture the character's frustration and disillusionment.
  • "Now, Voyager": In "Now, Voyager," Bette Davis plays a repressed spinster who undergoes a dramatic transformation. In this film, she uses her voice to convey the character's journey from meekness to strength and self-assurance.

Practical Advice and Resources

To learn how to sing like Bette Davis, you'll need to focus on developing your vocal technique and breath support. Singing Carrots offers a range of resources to help you achieve this, including:

In addition to these resources, we recommend watching Bette Davis' films and studying her vocal technique. Pay close attention to the way she uses her voice to convey emotion, and practice incorporating these elements into your own singing.

With dedication and practice, you can learn how to sing like Bette Davis and deliver performances that are full of emotion and intensity.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.