Singing Guide: Hank Locklin
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Hank Locklin was one of the most distinctive singers of his time, with a beautifully pure and clean vocal style that made him a favorite of traditional country music fans. Learning to sing like Hank Locklin can be a rewarding experience for anyone looking to develop their vocal skills and explore the classic country sound.
Locklin was best known for his warm, smooth crooning on ballads like "Please Help Me I'm Falling," "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On," and "Geisha Girl." His signature sound was based on his gentle vibrato, perfect pitch, and effortless phrasing, which all combined to create an emotional and tender delivery that was both timeless and sincere.
To learn to sing like Hank Locklin, it's important to focus on developing a few key vocal techniques. These include:
- Breath support: Hank Locklin's singing was characterized by a relaxed and natural style that emphasized the importance of breath support. Singers looking to emulate his sound should concentrate on expanding their lung capacity and learning how to manage airflow during sustained notes.
- Pitch accuracy: One hallmark of Hank Locklin's music was his unwavering pitch accuracy. To achieve this, singers should work on developing their ears and practicing vocal exercises that help them match pitch with precision.
- Vibrato: Hank Locklin's gentle vibrato was an integral part of his sound, and singers who want to capture that essence should focus on finding their own unique vibrato style. Experimenting with different speeds and intensities can help you find the right approach for your voice.
- Phrasing: Hank Locklin's phrasing was simple and understated, but always conveyed a powerful sense of emotion. Singers can learn from his approach by working on their own delivery and paying close attention to the nuances of the lyrics.
When it comes to specific songs to sing like Hank Locklin, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some of his most popular tracks include:
- "Please Help Me I'm Falling"
- "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On"
- "Geisha Girl"
- "Why Baby Why"
- "Happy Journey"
To help you get started on your journey to singing like Hank Locklin, Singing Carrots offers a variety of resources that can be useful. For example, the vocal range test can help you identify your pitch range, while the pitch accuracy test can help you hone your ability to match pitch. The pitch monitor allows you to see your sung notes on a virtual piano. The pitch training and vocal course offer exercises, techniques, and theory to improve your voice quality. Singing Carrots also provide a range of songs for you to practice and search by vocal range, difficulty, and genre preferences.