Singing Guide: Donny Hathaway

Singing Guide: Donny Hathaway

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Donny Hathaway was an American soul singer with a powerful and emotional voice. His voice had a unique blend of gospel, R&B, and jazz that made him stand out from his peers. Hathaway was an expert at using dynamics, phrasing, and emotion to convey the meaning behind the lyrics of his songs.

If you want to learn to sing like Donny Hathaway, it's essential to focus on your breath control, phrasing, and emotional connection. Here are some Singing Carrots' resources that can help you achieve your goal:

  • Breath control:
    Check out Singing Carrots' articles breathing basics and breath support. Both articles explain proper breathing techniques and how to use breathing to control one's voice.
  • Emotional connection:
    Learn how to connect with the emotion behind the lyrics and convey it effectively with your voice. Practice with Singing Carrots' resources, such as the relaxing breath exercise and the sustain vocal exercise.
  • Phrasing:
    Hathaway's unique phrasing may take time to master, but it's worth it. These resources act as practice tools in mastering Hathaway's phrasing: Sustain Vocal Exercise and 3 Minute Warm Up Exercise.
  • Song selection:
    Hathaway's featured some great songs that showcased his unique voice, such as "A Song for You," "This Christmas," and "Someday We'll All Be Free." You can find similar songs based on your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference with Singing Carrots' song search.
  • Final Thoughts:
    Remember to take your time and practice daily. The secret to singing like Donny Hathaway is mastering his vocal techniques, emulating his emotional presence, and increasing your breath control. You can also enroll in Singing Carrots' singing course and gain more in-depth knowledge on how to improve your singing technique and skills.

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