Singing Guide: Les Paul
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Les Paul was a renowned guitarist and music innovator who lived from 1915 to 2009.
He is known for pioneering the upgrade of the guitar into the modern instrument we know today, and for playing his Gibson Les Paul electric guitar.
He began playing guitar when he was eight years old and quickly became passionate about the instrument. Les Paul played many genres of music, from country to jazz to rock & roll.
One of the hallmarks of Les Paul's sound was his use of delay and echo effects, which he accomplished by recording himself playing multiple tracks of the same song.
One song that showcases Les Paul's mastery of the guitar and use of delay is his hit "How High the Moon". In addition to his guitar work on the track, he manipulated his guitar sound to create the illusion of a larger group of musicians.
To learn to sing in the style of Les Paul, it is important to first understand the fundamentals of singing, such as vocal range, breath control and pitch accuracy, and then to train your voice to emulate his unique guitar effects.
Some Singing Carrots resources that may be helpful for achieving a Les Paul-style vocal sound include the site's vocal range test, which can help you determine your vocal range and compare it to famous singers', and the pitch accuracy test, which can help you assess and fine-tune your pitch.
You may also find the pitch training exercises helpful for strengthening your voice. Specifically, exercises focused on vibrato and chest voice can improve your ability to manipulate your vocal sound, like Les Paul did with his guitar.
Another important aspect of learning to sing like Les Paul is to study the greats. Listen to his music and pay attention to the way he uses delay, echo and reverb to create expansive soundscapes. Try to emulate these sounds with your voice and experiment with different vocal effects.
Practice is also key to mastering any musical style, so take advantage of Singing Carrots' song search feature to find songs that match your vocal range, interests and goals.
By incorporating these Singing Carrots resources and practicing on a regular basis, you can work towards achieving a Les Paul-style vocal sound and expand your creativity as a musician.