Singing Guide: Holly Cole

Singing Guide: Holly Cole

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Holly Cole is a Canadian jazz singer known for her sultry, seductive voice. She has been active since the late 1980s and has released over a dozen albums. Learning to sing like Holly Cole requires a solid understanding of jazz vocal techniques and an appreciation for her unique style. In this article, we will explore some of the techniques that Holly Cole uses in her singing, and offer some tips and resources for developing your own jazz voice.

One thing that sets Holly Cole's voice apart is its breathy, intimate quality. She often sings quietly, almost whispering certain phrases, and draws the listener in with her hypnotic delivery. To achieve this type of sound, it's important to focus on your breath control and the use of your diaphragm. Singing with an open throat and relaxed jaw can also help you achieve a similar effect.

Another key aspect of Holly Cole's style is her use of syncopation and rhythm. She often sings behind the beat, creating a sense of tension and release that is characteristic of jazz music. Practicing with vocal exercises and jazz standards can help you develop a sense of timing and rhythm that will serve you well when singing in this style.

When it comes to repertoire, Holly Cole has covered a wide array of songs over her career, from jazz standards to pop hits. Some of her most popular recordings include "I Can See Clearly Now" and "Que Sera Sera". To learn to sing like Holly Cole, it's a good idea to start with some of her more well-known songs and work on replicating her phrasing, intonation, and overall feel.

Of course, in addition to working on your technique and repertoire, it's always important to work with a qualified vocal instructor who can help you develop your voice in a healthy and sustainable way. Singing Carrots offers a variety of resources for aspiring jazz vocalists, including vocal range tests, pitch accuracy tests, and a range of pitch training exercises and warm-ups that can help you develop your voice and build your confidence as a singer.

  • How to analyze your voice
  • Voice types
  • Breathing basics
  • Voice registers & vocal break
  • Breath support
  • Open mouth & throat
  • How to learn a song effectively
  • Avoiding constrictions
  • Pop/Jazz vs Classical singing
  • Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking
  • Contemporary vocal techniques: Heavy modal, Twang, Belting
  • Vocal distortion & growling
  • Singing with vibrato
  • Articulation
  • Why do we sing out of pitch?
  • Resonance in singing
  • How to find your own authentic voice
  • Vocal health
  • How posture affects your singing
  • How to overcome stage fright
  • Tips for performing on stage

In addition to these articles, Singing Carrots also offers a range of videos and tools that can be useful for developing your jazz voice, including exercises for twang, growling, vibrato, breathing, articulation, and more. By incorporating these resources into your practice routine, and by working with a qualified vocal coach, you can start to develop the skills and techniques you need to sing like Holly Cole and make your mark in the world of jazz music.

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