Mahalia Jackson is considered the greatest gospel singer ever. She had a powerful and deep voice that could reach commanding heights. Jackson was born in New Orleans in 1911 and started singing in the church choir from an early age.

One of the key elements of Mahalia Jackson's singing style was her ability to feel the song's emotion and communicate it to the listener. Jackson's rich and soulful voice had an ability to captivate and move her audience, seeking to draw them into the music and message.

Vocal Technique

Jackson had a broad vocal range and an excellent control over her voice. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to learn to sing like her:

1. Start with a vocal range test to determine your voice type. Mahalia Jackson was an alto.
2. Jackson's voice had a lot of power, which came from a strong diaphragmatic breath support. Practice breathing exercises to improve your breath control.
3. Jackson's voice was characterized by a vibrato, which is a rapid fluctuation of pitch. Try to develop your vibrato by practicing songs and exercises that incorporate this technique.
4. Warm up your voice before singing. Mahalia Jackson often began her performances with a warm-up song.
5. Focus on your diction. Jackson was known for her crystal clear enunciation. Improve your articulation by practicing tongue twisters and reading aloud.
6. Mahalia Jackson had a unique vocal twang that gave her voice an edge. Work on your twang by practicing exercises specifically designed to develop this skill.
7. Finally, remember to sing from the heart! Jackson had a way of infusing her music with deep emotion that touched people's hearts. Sing with passion and let your emotions shine through.

Songs to Practice

Mahalia Jackson's unique vocal techniques can be heard throughout her music. To learn to sing like her, here are some of her classic songs to practice:

• "Move On Up A Little Higher"
• "His Eye Is On The Sparrow"
• "Trouble of the World"
• "I'm On My Way to Canaan"
• "Amazing Grace"

Singing Carrots Resources

Singing Carrots has a variety of resources that can help you develop your singing skills and learn to sing like Mahalia Jackson. Here are some of their best resources:

• Vocal range test to determine your voice type
• Pitch accuracy test to assess your pitch accuracy
• Vocal Pitch Monitor to see your sung notes on a virtual piano
• Pitch Training with interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualizer, and exercises for range and agility
• Song search to find songs matching your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference
• Artist vocal ranges to discover vocal ranges of over 5000 famous singers
• Song-book to create your performance set and get linked lyrics, sheet music, chords, karaoke, and YouTube audio
• Singing course covering singing theory and practical tips

Conclusion

Mahalia Jackson was a truly gifted singer whose music touched the hearts of people worldwide. With practice, dedication, and the right resources, you can learn to sing like her too. Remember to focus on your vocal technique, practice your favorite songs, and use resources like Singing Carrots to develop your skills and unlock your full potential.