Millie Small, born in 1946 in Jamaica, was a pioneering ska and bluebeat singer, best known for "My Boy Lollipop", an international hit in the early 1960s. She was among the first female singers from the island to achieve international success. In this article, we explore Millie Small's unique vocal style and what aspiring singers can learn from her. We will also showcase some of her best songs and highlight the resources available at Singing Carrots.

Millie Small's Unique Vocal Technique

Millie's singing style was characterized by a high-pitched, girlish, and infectious sound that complemented well the upbeat ska and bluebeat music of the time. One thing that was unique about her style was the way she pronounced her words. She had a distinctly Jamaican accent that came through in her singing, making her performances more authentic and full of character. Her vocal range was relatively high, enabling her to hit the high notes effortlessly.

Aspiring singers can learn a lot from Millie's singing style. Her pronunciation and accent show that being authentic in your singing style can set you apart from others. Her ability to hit the high notes with ease is a testament to the importance of range training and vocal agility. Therefore, to sing like Millie Small, one needs to practice their range and try to incorporate elements of Jamaican accents into their delivery.

Millie's Best Songs

Millie Small had several hit songs, but "My Boy Lollipop" stands out as the most successful. It was her debut single and became an international sensation, reaching the top of the charts in several countries. The song's upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and Millie's playful vocals made it an instant classic.

Another great song from Millie is "Sweet William", which showcases her range even more. In this song, she sings in a slightly lower pitch, but her voice still retains the high-pitched quality that makes it stand out. "Oh, Henry" is another song that shows off her playful and fun side, with her vocals bouncing off the upbeat melody.

Practical Advice From Singing Carrots

Singing Carrots offers several resources that can help aspiring singers learn and improve their singing skills. Here are some of the most helpful:

• Vocal range test: Take this test to determine your vocal range and compare it to famous singers. Knowing your range can help you choose the right songs and practice effectively.
• Pitch accuracy test: Sing along to simple melodies and evaluate your pitch accuracy. This test helps you develop pitch control, an essential skill for any singer.
• Pitch training: This resource offers interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualizer, and exercises for range and agility. Such exercises can help you improve your vocals' strength and flexibility.
• Song search: Use this search feature to find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.
• Artist vocal ranges: Discover vocal ranges for over 5000 famous singers, including Millie Small.
• Singing courses: Singing Carrots has a 21-lesson program covering singing theory and practical tips for beginners.

Conclusion

Millie Small was a pioneer in ska and bluebeat music and had a unique vocal style, characterized by a high-pitched, girlish, and infectious sound. Aspiring singers can learn a lot from her, especially in developing range and vocal agility and incorporating authentic accents into their singing styles. Singing Carrots offers several resources that can help any singer improve their skills, including range tests, pitch training, song search, and educational courses like those aimed at beginners.