Johnnie Lee Wills' Vocal Technique

Johnnie Lee Wills was one of the best Western Swing bandleaders active in the 40s, and his music provides a unique opportunity to both learn how to sing, and enjoy a great music genre.

Vocal Technique

Wills had a versatile voice, able to perform everything from melancholic ballads to lively swing numbers. He was highly skilled in using his voice not only to convey strong emotions but also to blend in and lead a band. Wills had a smooth timbre to his voice, which is evident in songs such as "Roly Poly," "Smoke On Smokestack," and "Little Mama." He typically used vibrato and dynamics to add depth to his performances, which can be heard in "My Baby's Just Like Money" and "Blues In Advance."

Learning from Johnnie Lee Wills

If you want to learn how to sing like Johnnie Lee Wills, you should start by analyzing your voice. We provide an article on how to analyze your voice to help you get started.

Next, try the vocal range test to determine your vocal range and find songs that suit your voice. Johnnie Lee Wills often performed songs that were in a medium range with upbeat melodies, which is similar to other Western Swing songs.

To enhance your pitch accuracy, take the pitch accuracy test and practice singing simple melodies to train your hearing and memory skills.

Johnnie Lee Wills was a master of using his voice registers to create his signature sound. Our article on voice registers and vocal break can help you understand the technique behind this. For warm-ups, try exercises like Singing Comfort Zone that help to develop your chest voice and vocal break.

Furthermore, Johnnie Lee Wills had exceptional control over his breathing, which is an essential skill if you want to master Western Swing music. You should start by learning the basics of breathing by reading our article on breathing basics. The Farinelli breathing exercise is also an excellent way to work on your breath control.

Johnnie Lee Wills' Songs

To get a better understanding of Johnnie Lee Wills's vocal style, listen to some of his most famous songs. "San Antonio Rose," "Milk Cow Blues," and "Swing Blues" show off Wills's dynamic range and improvisational skills. You can find some of his tracks on our song search feature, which allows you to find songs matching your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.

Final Thoughts

Johnnie Lee Wills was one of the most influential Western Swing bandleaders of his time, and his unique vocal style serves as an excellent tool for singers to learn from. Singing Carrots provides multiple tools and resources to help you develop your voice and enhance your singing skills, so be sure to check out our pitch training feature. Remember to practice regularly and keep honing your skills to become the best singer you can be!