Singing Guide: George Hamilton IV
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
In this article, you’ll learn how to sing like George Hamilton IV, a country music singer known for his smooth, reassuring voice that exudes sincerity and warmth. Hamilton IV was famous for his chart successes in the late 1950s and early 1960s and his contributions to the “Nashville Sound” of country music.
The key to singing like George Hamilton IV is to aim for a relaxed, warm, and smooth voice with a clear enunciation and phrasing. Here are some practical tips and Singing Carrots resources to help you along the way.
Work on your breath control: Hamilton IV’s smooth and reassuring voice was a result of his well-controlled breath support. Singing Carrots` Breath Support article can teach you proper breathing techniques.
Learn to relax your throat muscles: Hamilton IV used relaxed throat muscles to create his warm tone. Singing Carrots` Open Mouth & Throat article explains why and how you should do it.
Master your vocal range: Hamilton IV’s voice often stayed in the mid-to-high range, which helped to create his unique sound. Use Singing Carrots` Vocal Range Test and search for songs suited to your vocal range or those of Hamilton IV with Singing Carrots` Song Search feature.
Work on your phrasing: Hamilton IV was famous for his smooth phrasing, which gave his songs a natural flow. Singing Carrots` How to Learn a Song Effectively article can teach you how to work on phrasing while learning a song.
Study Hamilton IV’s songs: Hamilton IV’s songs have a distinctive country sound that can help you get a feel for the Nashville Sound style. Singing Carrots` Songbook feature allows you to find lyrics, sheet music, chords, karaoke, and YouTube audio of Hamilton IV’s songs.
For reference, here are some of Hamilton IV’s best-known songs that showcase his vocal technique:
- “A Rose and a Baby Ruth”
- “Before This Day Ends”
- “Break My Mind”
- “Abilene”
- “Early Morning Rain”
By following these tips and utilizing Singing Carrots resources, you can work on developing a warm, relaxed, and smoothly phrased voice like George Hamilton IV’s. Good luck and enjoy the process!