Singing Guide: Chet Baker
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Chet Baker was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist known for his unique singing style and smooth, melodic improvisation on the trumpet. His soft, relaxed voice and understated phrasing made him an icon of West Coast jazz and a pioneer of cool jazz.
If you want to learn how to sing like Chet Baker, there are several things you can do to develop your skills. First, it's important to work on your breathing, as Baker's singing style was characterized by a breathy, relaxed tone. Singing exercises such as the Farinelli method, which emphasizes breathing from the diaphragm, can be helpful for developing your breath control.
Another important aspect of Baker's singing style is his use of vibrato. Practicing exercises like the Diaphragm Bounce, which helps you develop a controlled vibrato, can be beneficial for developing this technique.
When it comes to repertoire, Baker was known for his interpretations of classic standards from the American Songbook. Some of his most famous recordings include "My Funny Valentine" and "But Not for Me." Singing along with recordings of these songs can help you familiarize yourself with Baker's style and phrasing.
Additionally, Singing Carrots offers a Pitch training tool which includes interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualizer and exercises for range and agility, which can be very beneficial for developing your singing technique.
Overall, developing a soft, relaxed singing style and focusing on breath control and vibrato can help you to sing like Chet Baker. For more resources on singing techniques, repertoire, and performance tips, be sure to check out Singing Carrots' articles, videos, and courses on topics like voice types, breath support, articulation, and more.