Singing Guide: Kay Kyser & His Orchestra
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Kay Kyser was known for his mastery of Swing and Big Band style of music. He was one of the most popular orchestra leaders of his time with his abilities as an arranger, comedian, and bandleader. One of his famed songs was three little fishies, released in 1939, which featured his ability to lead the band and use sound effects during his music.
To learn singing like Kyser, a few things are crucial: pitch accuracy, breath control and articulation. Singers who can control their breath and pitch can learn to sing in any style they choose. One song showcasing Kyser's unique style is 'Jingle, Jangle, Jingle.' The song features the use of quick vibrato with a smooth, light-hearted tone.
Singing Carrots has quite a few resources that can be used to learn singing techniques similar to Kyser. First, the breath support and respiration articles are well worth reviewing and the pitch accuracy test is an excellent way to ensure pitch control. Also, the vocal range test can help find your range, which is essential to perform in any band or orchestra.
The vocal health article is another helpful resource that emphasizes maintaining good health and avoiding vocal damage. The breathing and warm-up exercises found on Singing Carrots can help prepare your voice for singing and maintain its health. You should also check the article relating to voice registers and breaks to understand how Kyser seamlessly combined chest voice and falsetto in his music.
Kyser was also known for his ability to arrange music and use sound effects in recordings. Kay Kyser's band is an inspiration to many singers and musicians today. Singers should, therefore, work on articulation and timing, which can be accomplished by practicing vocal scales and arpeggios as well as taking some vocal training and techniques provided in the Singing Carrots vocal training course.
To sound similar to Kyser, a great starting point is to practice his famous song "Jingle, Jangle, Jingle." The Vocal Pitch Monitor can assist with ensuring pitch perfection, while the Song Search can help find more song recommendations for your vocal range and style. Finally, always practice in a comfortable singing posture, with an open mouth, and throat, and learn to control emotion while singing and breathing patterns through songs.
With the resources provided by Singing Carrots, singers can learn and improve their skills to perform music effectively, developing their signature vocal techniques like Kay Kyser.