Lead Belly, born as Huddie William Ledbetter, was an American folk and blues musician known for his powerful voice and virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar. His unique singing style was characterized by a deep, booming voice, belting blues and gospel tunes with a forceful, raw energy.

To learn how to sing like him, it's important to focus on his signature style: bringing together elements of Gospel, Blues and Folk genres. Below are some tips to help you develop your voice and style like Lead Belly.

• Firstly, take Singing Carrots' vocal range test to determine your vocal range, which is important in identifying the songs best suited for your voice. Use the search function to find songs within your range, such as "Goodnight Irene," "Rock Island Line," or "Where Did You Sleep Last Night."
• Lead Belly's signature style was rooted in his powerful, guttural voice and his unique picking and strumming on the twelve-string guitar. Vocal exercises such as those found in Singing Carrots' Pitch Training program can help improve your voice's strength, range, and pitch accuracy. Learning how to play a twelve-string guitar can also help you develop Lead Belly's signature sound.
• Practicing breathing exercises can also improve your voice. Singing Carrots' article on breath support outlines the difference between active breathing and passive breathing and how to implement them in your singing. Focus on keeping a good posture and opening up your mouth & throat.
• Articulation is another key factor in emulating Lead Belly's distinct style. The Finger Bite exercise found in the Singing Carrots article on Articulation can help you improve your diction.
• Last but not least, to gain insights on how to perform with emotion, intuition, and control, check out Singing Carrots' article on Singing with Intuition, Skills, Emotion, and Thinking.

By following the tips above and using the resources Singing Carrots offers, you can learn how to sing like Lead Belly, with his powerful, expressive style, and emotive songwriting. So, what are you waiting for? Get your voice ready for prime time and get ready to take on the world of singing like Lead Belly!