Ken Darby (1909-1992)

Ken Darby began singing at an early age and became one of the most successful writers and arrangers in movie history. He was the vocal coach behind some of the best-known Hollywood movies, including The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain, and An American in Paris.

Vocal Technique

Ken Darby is known for using a relaxed and open throat technique in his singing. He also emphasized breathing techniques to support the voice and improve tone quality.

Song Examples

Here are some songs by Ken Darby to help you practice his unique vocal style:

1. "My Funny Valentine," from the musical Babes in Arms
2. "The Trolley Song," from the movie Meet Me in St. Louis
3. "Over the Rainbow," from the movie The Wizard of Oz
4. "Almost Like Being in Love," from the musical Brigadoon

Practical Advice

To sing like Ken Darby, it's important to work on breathing techniques and to keep your throat relaxed and open. Singing exercises like the ones provided in Singing Carrots' Breath Support and Open Mouth & Throat articles can be helpful. The Vocal Pitch Monitor can help you track your progress. Try singing along with Ken Darby's recordings to get a feel for his style.

Don't forget to warm up before singing. Singing Carrots' Farinelli Breathing and 3 Minute Warm Up exercises are great ways to get started.

Singing Carrots Resources

Here are some Singing Carrots resources relevant to Ken Darby's vocal technique:

• Breath Support
• Open Mouth & Throat
• Vocal Pitch Monitor
• Farinelli Breathing
• 3 Minute Warm Up
• Vocal range test
• Search songs by vocal range
• Educational singing course