Clifton Chenier is considered the King of Zydeco and one of the pioneers of this genre. Zydeco is a music genre that evolved in southwest Louisiana from Creole music. Chenier blended traditional Louisiana sounds with blues, R&B, and rock n' roll. He played the accordion and sang in French and English.

The most distinctive feature of Chenier's singing is his rough, raw texture, which emphasizes the natural quality of his voice, stressing the urgency of the emotions he's portraying. His unique vocal technique is characterized by great energy, a powerful and emotional voice, as well as a strong vibrato.

One of the best songs to showcase Clifton Chenier's singing technique is "Zydeco Sont Pas Salés". The song features an insistent accordion intro, followed by Chenier's vocal entrance marked by its gritty and soulful qualities.

To learn how to sing like Chenier, let's follow some steps and tips:

• Listen to Clifton Chenier's music: Listen to his recordings, particularly his early works, to absorb his vocal style and approach.
• Understand the Zydeco genre: Zydeco music has a specific melodic and rhythmic style that is rooted in the Louisiana Creole and African American traditions. Learning about the genre's history and its musical elements will help you sing it more authentically.
• Learn to play the accordion: If possible, learning to play the accordion can help you understand the underlying structure of Zydeco music and how the vocals fit into the rhythm. Listening to the Zydeco accordion rhythms can help you develop a sense of timing and phrasing.
• Practice vibrato: Chenier used a strong, wide, and rapid vibrato in his singing style. Focus on using your diaphragm while singing and practice exercises to develop a strong and consistent vibrato.
• Open your throat: Chenier's vocal technique emphasizes a wide-open throat and mouth. Practice singing with an open mouth, wide-open throat, and relaxed jaw.

To help you develop your singing skills and get a better understanding of singing like Clifton Chenier, here are some resources from Singing Carrots that may be valuable:

• How to analyze your voice
• Breathing basics
• Open mouth & throat
• Tips for performing on stage
• How to find your own authentic voice
• Vocal health
• Vocal range test
• Pitch accuracy test
• Vocal Pitch Monitor
• Vocal training for pitch and agility
• Songs search for vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference
• Educational singing course

By incorporating these tips and utilizing Singing Carrots' resources, you can learn to sing like Clifton Chenier with practice and dedication.