Singing Guide: Matisyahu
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Matisyahu is well-known for his unique sound blending reggae, beatboxing, and Jewish soulful melodies. His voice has power and subtlety, and he uses it to deliver messages of faith, love, and unity. In this article, we will explore how to incorporate some of Matisyahu's vocal techniques and make them part of your own voice. We will cover some breathing exercises, vocal warm-ups, and practical tips, and we will also provide relevant resources offered by Singing Carrots.
Vocal Technique
One of Matisyahu's trademark techniques is his use of beatboxing to create rhythm and a percussive effect. He uses beatboxing to embellish his compositions, adding groove and texture to his interpretation of reggae. If you want to incorporate beatboxing into your singing, you can start by trying some simple rhythms, like the classic "boots and cats." There are many tutorials online, but one that we recommend is this How to Beatbox Exercise offered by Singing Carrots.
Another technique that Matisyahu uses across his songs is the use of vibrato. Vibrato is a subtle variation in pitch, widely used in classical music, but also in many other genres, including reggae. If you want to learn how to use vibrato in your singing, you can start with this Beggars Bounce tutorial offered by Singing Carrots, which explains a simple exercise that can help you produce vibrant vibrato.
Finally, Matisyahu's voice is characterized by its clarity and flexibility. He can switch from a deep, soulful line to a high-pitched wail in an instant, showing range and agility. To train your voice to be more flexible, you can try this Singing Comfort Zone exercise offered by Singing Carrots. This exercise helps you expand your vocal range gradually, without overexerting your voice.
Breathing Exercises
Breathing is an essential component of singing. Controlling your breath allows you to sustain notes, add dynamics, and create emotion. Matisyahu uses breathing techniques to create a rhythmic flow to his songs and to add dynamics to his vocal delivery. If you want to improve your breathing, you can start with this Farinelli Breathing exercise offered by Singing Carrots. This exercise helps you develop your active breathing, the mechanism used to support your voice during singing.
Practical Tips
Matisyahu's music often conveys a message of hope and faith, and his voice is a powerful tool to deliver this message. If you want to infuse your singing with a similar spirit, you can try to incorporate some of the following tips:
- Open your mouth and throat: Creating space in your mouth and throat allows your voice to resonate fully, resulting in a clearer, more powerful sound. You can learn more about this technique in this Open mouth & throat article offered by Singing Carrots.
- Sing with emotion: Matisyahu's music is not just about hitting the right notes but also about conveying a feeling and a message. You can learn more about singing with emotion in this Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking article offered by Singing Carrots.
- Don't be afraid to experiment: Matisyahu's music is not static; he constantly experiments with new sounds, rhythms, and melodies. You can do the same by trying out new vocal techniques, experimenting with different genres and styles, and adding your own unique touch to your singing.
Singing Carrots offers many resources to help you learn how to sing like Matisyahu or any other artist you admire. You can start with the Vocal range test to determine your vocal range and compare it with the vocal ranges of famous singers. There are also articles and videos that cover other aspects of singing, such as voice registers, resonance, articulation, and stage performance. You can explore these resources on the Singing Carrots website and find the ones that suit your needs and interests.