Singing Guide: Johnny Johnson
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Johnny Johnson was a trailblazing singer and songwriter from the late 1940s up until the '90s. His unique style blended Country and R&B influences with his smooth crooning voice. Johnson's vocal technique was widely regarded for his full-throated low range and his intense falsetto.
If you want to learn how to sing like Johnson, you need to practice controlling volume, range, and making your voice resonate. Here are some practical tips on how to do it:
-
Protect Your Voice: Before you start singing or practicing, Drink plenty of water. Avoid shouting or excessive talking and also reduce your alchohol and caffeine intake. You can also utilize Singing Carrots resources such as vocal health, and breathing basics to ensure your voice stays healthy and strong.
-
Master Low-Range Intonation: Johnson had a beautiful low-tone range that is typical of Country music singing. To master your low-tone range, you need to practice singing your favorite low-tone country songs. Use the Singing Carrots pitch accuracy test and pitch training to develop your ability to match the pitch of the notes.
-
Practice Articulation: Resonance and clarity are essential for a great singing voice. Singing Carrots' articulation article covers this in detail. You can use the Finger Bite exercise to improve your articulation skills.
-
Sing with Falsetto: Whenever Johnson reached the upper octave with his signature falsetto, he created a connection with the audience. To develop your falsetto, you can refer to the Singing Carrots articles, resonating in singing, voice registers & vocal break, and heavy modal, twang, and belting vocal techniques. You can also join them with the YouTube exercise Growling and Voice Break videos.
-
Perform with emotion: Johnson often performed with high emotional intensity that connected with the audience. Learning how to bring emotion to your performances is critical. Singing Carrots’ articles on resonance in singing, singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking, performing on stage, and overcoming Stage Fright cover techniques to help you develop this skill.
To become a great singer like Johnny Johnson, it takes lots of hard work, dedication, and continuous practice. Use the resources outlined above to get started, and you’ll be singing like Johnson in no time.