Singing Guide: David Whitfield

Singing Guide: David Whitfield

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

David Whitfield was one of the most popular British artists of the 1950s and early 1960s. He was known for his powerful crooning voice and emotional ballads, which often drew inspiration from operatic arias and popular songs of the time. Whitfield's unique vocal style and phrasing have inspired many aspiring singers, but what does it take to sing like him?

Analyzing David Whitfield's Vocal Style

David Whitfield's vocal technique relied heavily on his chest voice and a strong emotional connection to the lyrics of the songs he sang. His phrasing was smooth and legato, often drawing out the ends of words for a dramatic effect.

To sing like David Whitfield, it is important to master the chest voice and its connected registers, which will allow you to achieve a rich, full-bodied sound that is characteristic of his vocal style. You should also practice developing your emotional connection to the songs you sing, as this will help you to convey the story and message of the lyrics through your voice.

Songs to Showcase David Whitfield's Vocal Style

Some songs that showcase David Whitfield's unique vocal style include:

  • "Cara Mia": This song features soaring high notes and a strong emotional delivery that perfectly captures the romance and yearning of the lyrics.
  • "My September Love": This ballad is a great example of Whitfield's smooth phrasing and dramatic use of dynamics to create a sense of tension and release.
  • "Answer Me": With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, "Answer Me" is a powerful showcase for Whitfield's emotional depth and vocal control.

Practical Tips for Learning to Sing like David Whitfield

  • Practice singing in your chest voice in order to achieve the full, rich sound that is characteristic of Whitfield's vocal style.
  • Focus on singing legato lines and drawing out the ends of words for a dramatic effect.
  • Work on building your emotional connection to the lyrics of the songs you sing, so that you can convey the story and message of the lyrics through your voice.
  • Use Singing Carrots' vocal range test and pitch accuracy test to assess your vocal range and pitch accuracy, and to identify areas where you may need to improve.
  • Explore Singing Carrots' pitch training and vocal warm-up exercises to improve your vocal technique and range.
  • Use the tool to search for songs by vocal range to find songs that are suitable for your voice and will help you develop your skills.
  • Take Singing Carrots' educational singing course for beginners to learn the fundamentals of singing technique and theory.

With these tools, tips, and songs, you can begin your journey towards singing like David Whitfield. Practice regularly, stay patient, and remember to always sing with passion and conviction in order to convey the emotional depth that was at the heart of Whitfield's unique vocal style.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.