Singing Guide: George Forrest
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
George Forrest was a renowned Broadway composer, best known for his collaborations with Robert Wright. One of their most famous musicals was Kismet, which featured standout hit songs like "Stranger in Paradise." Forrest had a distinct baritone that was both versatile and powerful. He was able to move seamlessly from low, rich notes to higher belting and projecting with ease. Here are some tips on how to develop your singing skills to emulate his unique technique:
- Analyze your voice with Singing Carrots' vocal range test to determine the right key to sing in. This is important because singing in the wrong key can strain your voice and affect your range.
- Work on breathing techniques to help you with sustained notes and belting. Learn about active and passive breathing, breath support, and respiration from Singing Carrots' articles on breathing basics, breath support, and vocal health.
- Work on extending your vocal range by doing exercises like the ones in Singing Carrots' pitch training and vocal warm-up programs.
- Learn about vocal registers and the vocal break, and how to manage them when singing. Singing Carrots' article on voice registers and vocal break is a great resource for this.
- Pay attention to maintaining an open mouth and throat when singing, as this will help with projection and resonance. Singing Carrots' article on open mouth & throat offers practical advice.
- Choose songs that showcase your strengths as a singer, especially those that require range and versatility. In Forrest's case, his work on Kismet or duets like "Baia" with Betty Garrett would be a great starting point.
Using Singing Carrots' resources and the above tips, you can develop your singing voice and learn how to emulate the unique technique of George Forrest. Keep practicing consistently, focus on improving your technique, and soon you'll be able to sing like a Broadway legend!