Kirk Franklin is an award-winning gospel musician and choir director who has released over thirteen studio albums and forty-five singles. He is known for his unique combination of contemporary sounds with traditional gospel music, and his gospel messages have touched the lives of many.

Franklin's unique style also includes a range of vocal techniques that are worth exploring for aspiring gospel singers. Below are a few insights on the techniques to explore, as well as some practical advice and Singing Carrots resources for aspiring gospel singers.

Techniques to explore

Franklin's unique vocal technique includes:

Vocal inflections

Franklin uses vocal inflections to add emotion and expression to his singing. Inflections come when the voice changes pitch when singing and showcase emotion. For example, Franklin uses inflections in his song "I Smile" to reinforce a message of hope for his listeners.

Vocal placements

Franklin varies the placement of his voice when singing, moving from the chest voice to head voice and vice versa. This technique creates a unique dynamic range and tonal quality. Franklin uses these variations when performing "Imagine Me" and the harmonious depth in "Brighter Day."

Dynamics and tone control

Franklin's style of gospel music demands flexibility in dynamics and tone control. This technique can help work the nuances based on the attention span of the listener, varying the volume, pitch, and vibrato to create emphasis and maintain interest.

Use of hybrid genre styles

Franklin's influence in the gospel music genre shows in his usage of a lot of contemporary sounds influence from R&B, hip-hop, and funk. This creates a fresh and modern vibe to pre-existing sounds, making lesser-known gospel sounds and messages accessible to listeners.

Practical advice to beginners

Aspiring gospel singers can learn a lot from Kirk Franklin by analyzing his performances and listening habits.

Some practical advice includes:

• Draw inspiration from a wide range of gospel artists, including Franklin. That way, you build up a catalog of influence and be able to draw on these influences to create your unique sound.
• Practice regularly and make use of Singing Carrots' singing course to build up stamina and correct techniques that can sustain your progression as a singer.
• Listen to the genre and its nuances, learning the complexities of contemporary styles and staying aware of gospel's evolving sounds.

Singing Carrots resources to explore

Use the following Singing Carrots resources to build on knowledge and practical aspects:

• Vocal range test
• Pitch accuracy test
• Vocal Pitch Monitor
• Pitch Training - Educational Singing Game
• Search songs by vocal range
• Vocal ranges of famous singers
• Educational singing course

For example:

• Use the Vocal range test and Vocal Pitch Monitor exercises to refine your singing sound and maintain pitch perfection.
• Use Pitch Training exercises to learn how to master your vocal range and agility of tones.
• Use the Singing Course to understand the built-in theory and how you can apply the learned techniques to your singing practice.

As you ease into your journey of learning to sing tailored to gospel, take lessons from Kirk Franklin's technique and find a unique blend that works best for you.