How to Sing Like Lou Rawls

Lou Rawls was an American singer known for his rich, deep, and soulful voice. His unique tone and phrasing made him a legendary vocalist in the realm of pop, R&B, soul, and jazz music. In this article, we will explore some of the key elements that make up the Lou Rawls vocal style and provide tips on how to sing like him.

Vocal range and tone

Lou Rawls had an incredible vocal range that spanned over three octaves, which allowed him to hit both the high and low notes with ease. His is known for his rich, deep baritone tone that resonates with soul and emotion. He often used vibrato to add warmth and texture to his singing, which made his voice stand out from other singers.

Singing Carrots resources:

• Use the Vocal range test to determine your range and compare it with Lou Rawls.
• Practice using Vocal pitch monitor to see your sung notes on a virtual piano.
• Learn about Singing with vibrato and how to incorporate it into your singing.

Breath control and support

Lou Rawls was known for his outstanding breath control, which allowed him to hold long notes and convey deep emotions through his singing. He used his breath as a tool to shape his phrasing, dynamics, and expression. Breath support helped him to create a seamless transition between his chest voice and head voice, which added a lot of depth and dimension to his singing.

Singing Carrots resources:

• Watch the Farinelli Breathing video to improve your breath control.
• Learn about Breath support and its importance in singing.

Articulation and dynamics

Lou Rawls had a great sense of rhythm and phrasing, which he used to create a natural flow and movement in his singing. He used subtle articulation to emphasize certain syllables and words, which made his singing more expressive and engaging. He was also able to use dynamics to enhance the emotional impact of his singing, making him one of the most versatile and powerful singers of his generation.

Singing Carrots resources:

• Learn about Articulation and how to make your singing more expressive.
• Discover how to use Dynamics to enhance the emotional impact of your singing.

Song selection and phrasing

Lou Rawls was a master of selecting songs that showcased his unique singing style. He was able to phrase each song in a way that brought out the best in his voice, making his singing sound effortless and natural. He often used vocal embellishments, such as runs and riffs, to add complexity and variation to his singing, making his performances captivating and memorable.

Singing Carrots resources:

• Use the Song search tool to find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.
• Learn about How to learn a song effectively and use tips to enhance your phrasing.

Conclusion

Lou Rawls was a special singer whose vocal style still inspires people today. If you want to learn to sing like Lou Rawls, you need to master the key elements of his singing style, including vocal range and tone, breath control and support, articulation and dynamics and phrasing. With the help of Singing Carrots resources and practice, you can develop your own artistic interpretation and create a unique style inspired by the great Lou Rawls.