Billy Vera: Learning From a True Master

Billy Vera is a singer, songwriter, actor, and music historian. He is best known for his 1987 hit song "At This Moment." Billy's voice is characterized by a smooth, soulful delivery that draws heavily on blues and R&B influences. In this article, we will explore how to learn singing like Billy Vera by highlighting his unique vocal technique and songs showcasing it.

Vibrato

One thing that sets Billy Vera's voice apart is his use of vibrato. Vibrato is a slight variation in pitch that adds richness and warmth to a singer's voice. Billy uses vibrato liberally in his singing, giving his performances a classic, old-school feel. Singers looking to emulate Billy's sound should focus on developing their own vibrato technique. Singing Carrots has a helpful article on singing with vibrato, which covers the basics and provides tips for practice.

Phrasing

Another hallmark of Billy Vera's vocal style is his smooth, flowing phrasing. He never rushes a line or overextends a phrase, but instead always maintains a relaxed, natural feel. This is especially evident in his performances of ballads like "At This Moment" and "I Can Take Care of Myself." Singers can develop this skill through careful attention to their breathing, posture, and mouth position. Singing Carrots has numerous articles on these topics, including a guide to proper breathing technique, a discussion of good singing posture, and an overview of mouth and throat positioning while singing.

Expression

Billy Vera's singing is also notable for its clarity and expressiveness. He enunciates his lyrics clearly and powerfully, using his voice to convey the emotion of the song. This is perhaps best demonstrated in his performance of "Hopeless Romantic," a powerful and heartfelt ballad that showcases his vocal skills to great effect. Singers looking to learn from Billy's approach to lyrics and expression should check out Singing Carrots' guide to articulation and their advice on singing with emotion.

Songs to Practice

Of course, no article on singing like Billy Vera would be complete without a list of songs to practice. Here are a few of Billy's essential tracks, along with some Singing Carrots resources to help you learn and improve:

• "At This Moment": The big hit, and a must-learn for any Billy Vera fan. Singing Carrots' vocal range test can help you determine your own vocal range, while their song search tool can help you find other songs that match your range and interests.
• "Hopeless Romantic": A powerful ballad that showcases Billy's vocal prowess. Singers can practice the song's emotive phrasing and clear enunciation while using Singing Carrots' pitch accuracy test to ensure they're hitting the right notes.
• "I Can Take Care of Myself": A classic R&B track with a soulful feel. Singers can work on their vibrato technique while practicing the song's laid-back, leisurely pace.

By focusing on these elements of Billy Vera's singing style and putting in lots of practice, aspiring singers can develop their own unique voices and styles while learning from a true master.