Singing Guide: Edwin Starr
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Edwin Starr was an American soul singer known for his electrifying vocal performances and powerful political lyrics. His music style was heavily influenced by the Motown sound, but he branched out into funk, disco, and rock music throughout his career. His unique singing voice was characterized by its no-holds-barred intensity and gritty tone, and he was known for his powerful vocal range and dynamic delivery.
If you're looking to learn how to sing like Edwin Starr, there are a few techniques that you should focus on. His signature sound was characterized by his ability to convey incredible energy and passion through his voice, so it's essential to work on your breath control, resonance, and overall vocal strength.
One of the best ways to improve your breath control is to focus on diaphragmatic breathing, which involves using your diaphragm muscle to support your voice rather than relying solely on your chest and throat muscles. The Farinelli breathing exercise offered on Singing Carrots is a great way to work on this technique.
Another key aspect of singing like Edwin Starr is developing good resonance. This involves focusing on your mouth and throat position to create a clear, powerful sound that cuts through the mix. Exercises like opening your mouth and throat and practicing vocal resonance can be incredibly helpful in developing a strong resonance.
Finally, it's important to work on your vocal strength overall. An exercise like sustaining a note with good breath support is great for building up your overall vocal power and endurance, while chest voice explained can be helpful for developing those lower notes that are essential to reproducing Starr's soulful sound.
In addition to these techniques, Edwin Starr was known for his politically charged lyrics and upbeat, danceable rhythms. Some of his most iconic songs include "War" and "Twenty Five Miles," which showcase his incredible command of rhythm, melody, and emotion. Check out Singing Carrots' song search to find more great songs that fit your voice range, genre preference, and level of difficulty.
By incorporating these techniques and working on your vocal strength, resonance, and breath control, you can learn to sing like the great Edwin Starr. Use Singing Carrots' resources to help you along the way and don't forget to listen to plenty of his music to get a feel for his unique style and sound.