Singing Guide: Dorothy Norwood

Singing Guide: Dorothy Norwood

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Dorothy Norwood - Mastering the Gospel Style

Dorothy Norwood is a gospel singer, songwriter, and choir director. She started her career as a member of the legendary Caravans and then went solo in 1960. Norwood is celebrated for her soulful voice and ability to move an audience.

Singing Technique

Dorothy Norwood is known for her rich contralto voice, which spans three octaves. Her singing style includes gravelly low notes, powerful high notes, and a unique vibrato. Her delivery is characterized by emotional depth and a singular connection with the listener. Norwood incorporates various melodic and dynamic variations in her performances to enhance the impact of her message.

Vocal Range

To sing like Dorothy Norwood, you need to identify and master your singing range. Take Singing Carrots' vocal range test to find out which range you fall into. Knowing your range will help you choose the most suitable Norwood song to practice.

Breathing Technique

Good breathing techniques are crucial in gospel singing. Take Singing Carrots' breathing basics course to get an overview of the mechanics. Practice Farinelli breathing exercise on Singing Carrots' to develop and improve your breath control.

Voice Control and Register

Dorothy Norwood achieves her soulful voice through vocal control and the correct use of her vocal registers. Learn how to manage and improve your voice control by studying Singing Carrots' articles on breath support, voice registers, and how to mix your voice.

Practice Norwood-style songs

Practice Norwood's popular songs to aid your progress towards gospel singing mastery. Mastering these songs requires an understanding of the unique characterization of Norwood's style, such as note-phrasing and pacing.

Here is a list of her famous songs:

  • Somebody Prayed for Me
  • Victory is Mine
  • More Than Conquerors
  • God Can Do Anything But Fail
  • I Pray We'll Be Ready
  • Oh Jesus (You've Been So Good)
  • I Stepped Out On Faith
  • We Need Your Power
  • Old School

Listen and learn these songs and more on Singing Carrots' song search feature. Select your vocal range, minimum difficulty level, and genre preference to discover Norwood-style ideal songs.

Conclusion

Dorothy Norwood is a unique and talented gospel singer whose voice is characterized by its emotional depth and improvised variations. To learn to sing like Dorothy Norwood, it is essential that you develop your breathing technique, voice control, and vocal range. Use Singing Carrots resources, including the vocal range test and pitch accuracy test to track your progress. Finally, practice Norwood-style songs to develop your style and skill in gospel singing.

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