Singing Guide: Israel Houghton
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you're trying to sing like Israel Houghton, with his beautiful, powerful, and soulful voice, you've come to the right place. Israel's unique vocal technique reflects a fusion of gospel, rock, pop, jazz, and other genres, making him one of the most versatile and singular performers out there.
Before trying to imitate Israel, it's important to understand his approach to singing. Israel's vibrato and dynamic range are what stand out the most, as he's able to switch from a powerful chest voice to a smooth falsetto in an instant. His vocal control is truly impressive, and this comes from mastering his breath support.
In addition to working on breath support and control, you should also listen to Israel's music and study his phrasing and timing, as well as his unique blend of different musical styles. Once you have got the basics down, it’s time to start practicing.
Here are some exercises from Singing Carrots that can help you master the techniques Israel uses:
- For mastering breath support: Breath Support
- For warm-ups and practice starters: Farinelli Breathing and 3 Minute Warm Up
- For voice registers/mixed voice/voice break: Voice Break and Mixed Voice
- For posture: Good Singing Posture
- For performing: Stage Tips
- For vibrato: Beggars Bounce, Diaphragm Bounce, and Singing with Vibrato
- For chest voice/voice registers: Chest Voice Explained
- For onsets-offsets: Glottal Onset
- For relaxation: Relaxing Breath
- For articulation: Finger Bite
When it comes to Israel's songs, some of the most distinctive that showcase his vocal style are "Moving Forward," "Friend of God," and "Jesus at the Center."
To find more songs matching your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference, check out Singing Carrots' Song search tool.
Finally, Singing Carrots' educational singing course can provide you with a comprehensive program to improve your technique and develop your musicality.
Remember, the key to singing like Israel Houghton is practice, dedication, and patience. Keep working on your breath control, phrasing, vibrato, and master his chest-to-falsetto transition. With time and effort, you may just hit those awe-inspiring notes he does.