Singing Guide: John Cullum
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
John Cullum: How to Sing Like the Tony Winner
John Cullum is an American singer and Tony-winning actor who has excelled in both traditional theater and musicals. The seasoned actor has appeared in several Broadway shows like Shenandoah, Camelot, and On the Twentieth Century, among others. In this article, we'll explore how to sing like John Cullum.
Unique Vocal Technique and Songs Showcasing It
John Cullum's unique vocal technique is his impressive vibrato. This technique is evident in his performances in "Shenandoah," specifically the song "Fathers and Sons," where his vocals ring out with a clear and controlled vibrato. Other excellent showcases of his vibrato are seen in "If Ever I Would Leave You" from "Camelot."
Learn the Basics
To learn how to sing like John Cullum, you must first understand the basics of singing. Start by analyzing your vocal type and range using the vocal range test tool on the Singing Carrots platform. After that, get familiar with your vocal registers and vocal break by reviewing the relevant Singing Carrots articles like:
- Voice types
- Voice registers & vocal break
- Breath support
- How posture affects your singing
- Open mouth & throat
Practical Advice and Singing Carrots Resources
To enhance your vibrato, practice singing with vibrato using the songs and exercises available on Singing Carrots. You can start with the Beggars Bounce exercise video, which focuses on developing the ability to sing with vibrato, or the Diaphragm Bounce exercise, which instructs you on techniques that can help you create a strong and controlled vibrato in your singing.
The humming exercise can help in improving your nasality, while the glottal onset exercise improves your vocal starts. The "Pop/Jazz vs Classical singing" article explains the differences and best practices between singing styles.
You can also check out the Singing Carrots videos on:
- Chest Voice: "Singing Comfort Zone" and "Chest Voice Explained"
- Voice Registers/Mixed Voice/Voice Break: "Voice Break," "Mixed Voice," and "Pitch Training - Educational Singing Game"
- Warm-up/Practice-starter: "Sustain Vocal" and "3 Minute Warm Up"
- Posture: "Good Singing Posture"
- Performing: "Stage Tips" and "Relaxing Breath"
- Vocal Technique: "How to Twang Exercise, "How to Growl Exercise," and "Vocal ranges of famous singers"
- Voice Distortion: "Vocal Distortion & Growling"
- Technical and Emotional Aspects: "Singing with Intuition, Skills, Emotion, and Thinking"
Conclusion
John Cullum's vibrato is an essential element of his vocal style. You can refine your vibrato and improve your singing skills by using the practical tips and Singing Carrots resources outlined in this article. With dedication and practice, you can learn how to sing like John Curran and eventually develop your singing style. Good luck in your singing journey!