Singing Guide: Big Joe Turner
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Learning to Sing Like Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner was one of the greatest blues singers of all time. Known for his expressive and powerful vocals, he had a unique style that captured the essence of the genre. Learning to sing like Big Joe Turner requires developing a strong, bluesy voice, along with an ability to interpret songs with emotion and feeling. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Vocal Technique
- Learn to sing from your diaphragm, as this will give you the power and control needed for blues singing. Use Singing Carrots’ Breath Support article for guidance.
- Work on your pitch accuracy with Singing Carrots’ Pitch Accuracy Test and Pitch Training tool.
- Practice using the different registers of your voice to create different vocal colors and tones. Use Singing Carrots’ Voice Registers & Vocal Break article for guidance.
- Emulate Big Joe Turner’s sound by adding a growling quality to your voice. Singing Carrots’ Vocal Distortion & Growling article for guidance.
Song Interpretation
- Listen to recordings of Big Joe Turner and study his phrasing, dynamics, and delivery. Singers like Big Joe Turner put a lot of emotion into their vocals, so try to do the same with the songs you learn.
- Choose songs with lyrics that speak to you. The blues is all about telling stories, and you need to be able to connect with the lyrics in order to sing them convincingly. Try Singing Carrots’ Song Search tool to find songs matching your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.
- Experiment with different vocal inflections and improvisations. Part of the artistry of blues singing is the ability to make a song your own.
Relevant Singing Carrots Resources
- Vocal Range Test: Determine your vocal range, comparing it with famous singers.
- Pitch Accuracy Test: Sing simple melodies and assess your pitch accuracy.
- Vocal Pitch Monitor: See your sung notes on a virtual piano.
- Pitch Training: Interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualizer, and exercises for range and agility.
- Song Search: Find songs matching your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.
- Artist Vocal Ranges: Discover vocal ranges of over 5000 famous singers.
- Singing Course: A 21-lesson program covering singing theory and practical tips.
With these tips and Singing Carrots' resources, you have a great head start in learning to sing like Big Joe Turner. Remember, though, that singing is a journey, and there is always more to learn and explore. Keep practicing, keep listening, and keep the blues alive!