Singing Guide: Chess
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you want to learn how to sing like Chess, you need to start by understanding the unique style and vocal technique of the original concept album singer, Barbara Dickson. Her delivery is both powerful and subtle, and she's known for using both head and chest voice to create a rich, layered sound.
One of the most iconic songs from Chess is "I Know Him So Well," which features a duet between the characters Florence and Svetlana. Take a listen and pay attention to the range and dynamics of the vocals.
To start developing your voice like Chess, here are some practical tips and Singing Carrots resources to check out:
- Work on breath support: Singing like Barbara Dickson requires great control over your breath. Check out Singing Carrots' article on breath support for tips on how to train your diaphragm and avoid running out of air mid-song.
- Practice your range: As with any style of singing, it's important to understand your vocal range. Take the vocal range test to determine your range. If you're unsure how to incorporate head and chest voice into your singing, check out Singing Carrots' article on voice registers & vocal break for guidance.
- Get comfortable with vibrato: Barbara Dickson is known for her beautiful vibrato, and it's something every singer should work on. Singing Carrots offers a helpful video tutorial on singing with vibrato.
- Learn to control your emotions: Barbara Dickson's delivery is heartfelt and emotional, and it's important to understand how to convey that through your own singing. Check out Singing Carrots' article on singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking for guidance on how to tap into your own emotional state.
- Seek additional resources: Singing Carrots offers a wealth of resources to help you develop your voice. Check out the search tool to find songs that match your range and genre preference, and explore the educational singing course to improve your overall singing technique.
Remember, singing like Chess takes time and practice, but with effort and dedication, you can develop your voice and deliver a memorable performance.