Count Basie was an influential jazz pianist, organist, and bandleader known for his unique "less is more" style of playing and arranging. In this article, we'll explore how you can learn to sing like Count Basie using his style as an inspiration.

Count Basie's vocal technique is characterized by his laid-back, effortless feel, impeccable sense of swing, and use of space. He was a master of leaving plenty of room for his musicians to shine, and his vocal style was no different. To sing like Count Basie, you'll want to focus on developing a sense of relaxation and spaciousness in your singing.

One of the best ways to develop this sense of ease is to work on your breathing and phrasing. Singing is essentially a series of breaths, and taking the time to develop your breath control is key to mastering the Count Basie style. Singing Carrots' articles on analyzing your voice and breath support are excellent resources to get started.

Once you've developed a strong sense of breath control, you can start to focus on phrasing. Count Basie's style often involves playing with the timing of his phrases, holding notes just a beat longer than you might expect. To emulate this in your own singing, try experimenting with different ways to phrase a melody. Singing Carrots' resources on how to learn a song effectively and avoiding constrictions are helpful for improving your phrasing skills.

Another hallmark of Count Basie's vocal style is his use of vibrato. Vibrato is the fluctuation of pitch in a note that adds texture and depth to your singing. Count Basie used vibrato sparingly, often using it only at the end of a phrase as a way of adding emphasis. Singing Carrots' resources on singing with vibrato and resonance in singing are great for improving your vibrato technique.

In addition to developing your vocal technique, it can be helpful to study Count Basie's music and lyrics to gain a deeper understanding of his style. Some of his most famous songs include "April in Paris," "One O'Clock Jump," and "Jumpin' at the Woodside." Listen to these songs with a critical ear, paying attention to his vocal phrasing, use of vibrato, and overall feel.

Finally, Singing Carrots' vocal range test, pitch accuracy test, song search, and artist vocal ranges tools are all helpful resources for singers looking to improve their skills. And if you're looking for a more structured approach to learning to sing like Count Basie, the Singing Carrots educational singing course covers everything from vocal theory to practical tips.

By developing your breath control, phrasing, vibrato, and overall sense of relaxation and ease, you can learn to sing like Count Basie and add a touch of his iconic style to your own singing.