King of Jazz is a movie musical made in 1930 and featuring the famous Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Whiteman was one of the most influential and popular musicians of his time, known for his innovation and showmanship. Learning to sing like him requires a deep understanding of his musical style and technique, as well as practice and dedication. In this article, we will explore ways to learn to sing like King of Jazz.

Vocal Technique

Whiteman was known for his smooth, mellifluous voice and his ability to croon beautifully. He was also a master of vibrato, using it to great effect in many of his songs. To sing like Whiteman, you need to focus on the following vocal techniques:

• Breathing: Whiteman was known for his exquisite breath control. To emulate him, practice breath control exercises, such as the Farinelli breathing exercise, linked in the resources section.
• Tone: Develop a smooth and relaxed tone, which is essential for a crooner like Whiteman. Focus on proper vocal posture and a relaxed jaw and neck. Use the "humming" warm-up exercise to help open up your voice.
• Vibrato: Practice adding vibrato to your singing by using the techniques presented in the "Singing with Vibrato" article from the resources section.

Song Examples

Whiteman's songs are a testament to his unique style and musicality. To learn how to croon like Whiteman, start by studying his songbook and focusing on the following songs:

• "Body and Soul": This song showcases Whiteman's ability to sing smoothly and effortlessly, with a perfect blend of tone and vibrato.
• "Ol' Man River": Whiteman's rendition of this classic song is a great example of his expressive singing style.
• "My Blue Heaven": Another smooth, mellifluous song that highlights Whiteman's beautiful tone.

Practice Tips

To master the art of singing like Whiteman, it's essential to combine vocal technique with regular practice. Here are some tips:

• Breathing exercises: Practice breathing exercises daily to improve your breath control and stamina.
• Diction and articulation: Good articulation and diction are crucial to emulate Whiteman's singing style. Use the "Articulation" article from the resources section to help you.
• Warm-up exercises: Get started with the "3 Minute Warm Up" video from the resources section to help you with your warm-up before singing.
• Record yourself: Listening to yourself singing allows you to identify the areas you need to improve. Use the Vocal Pitch Monitor tool from Singing Carrots to see your vocal range and pitch accuracy.

Singing is an art that requires patience, practice, and dedication. With the tips and resources provided, you can start your journey to singing like the King of Jazz, Paul Whiteman.