Mel Tormé

Also known as the “Velvet Fog,” was a renowned jazz singer with a distinctive style. With his smooth, rich baritone voice, he was known for his incredible vocal control, his effortless range, and his expert use of dynamics.

Vocal Control

One of Tormé's key strengths was his impeccable vocal control. To learn to sing like him, you'll need to master elements like breath support, diction, and dynamic control. Singing with proper breath support is essential for achieving the smooth, even sound that Tormé was known for. You can learn more about this in our Breath Support article.
Diction is also important, particularly when singing jazz standards. Tormé was known for his crisp, clear delivery of lyrics, which helped him convey emotion and nuance. In our Articulation article, you'll find tips for improving your diction and clarity.
Finally, dynamic control is crucial for achieving Tormé's sound. He was a master of subtle nuances, using variations in pitch and volume to convey his emotions. To learn more about this technique, check out our Singing with Intuition, Skills, Emotion, and Thinking article.

Range

Tormé was also known for his impressive vocal range, which allowed him to effortlessly move between registers. To develop your own range, try our Vocal Range Test and Pitch Accuracy Test. In addition, our Pitch Training exercises can help you develop your range and control.

Vocal Style and Technique

Of course, to truly learn to sing like Mel Tormé, you'll want to study his unique style and technique. Tormé was known for his use of "vocalese," a style that involves setting lyrics to jazz melodies and using the voice as an instrument. He was also an expert in scat singing, using nonsense syllables to improvise intricate melodies. To learn more about vocalese and scat singing, check out our Contemporary Vocal Techniques: Heavy Modal, Twang, Belting article and our Singing with Vibrato article.

Songs to Study

To fully understand Mel Tormé's style and technique, it's helpful to study some of his most famous songs. Some of his most iconic tracks include "Comin' Home Baby," "Blue Moon," and "Stranger in Town." By studying these songs and practicing the techniques outlined above, you can start to develop your own unique take on Tormé's incredible sound.

Conclusion

Mel Tormé was a truly unique and talented singer, with a sound that was all his own. By focusing on elements like vocal control, range, and style, and by studying his most famous songs, you can start to develop your own take on Tormé's iconic sound. To continue your singing journey, be sure to check out our searchable song database and educational singing course.