Learn to Sing Like Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole was one of the most unique and influential artists of his time, known for his smooth and velvety voice. He was a master of phrasing and interpretation, and his style was characterized by subtle gospel influences. In this tutorial, we will go through some practical advice and Singing Carrots resources to help you learn to sing like Nat King Cole.

Songs

Listening to Nat King Cole’s recordings is one of the best ways to understand his vocal style. Some of his most famous songs that best showcase his technique are "Unforgettable," "Mona Lisa," and "Route 66." By listening to and studying these songs, you can try to emulate his phrasing and interpretation.

Techniques and exercises

Nat King Cole's unique style had a lot to do with his breath control. To sing like him, mastering breath support is essential. To achieve this, try:

• Practicing diaphragmatic breathing with the Farinelli breathing exercise
• Correcting your posture and relaxing your neck and shoulders as it can greatly impact your breathing. You can use this good singing posture exercise to find the right position.
• Learning how to sustain your breath by practicing sustain vocals exercises
• Improving your vocal range using Singing Carrots' vocal range test and singing along to scales or arpeggios
• Practicing to sing with heavy modal, Twang, Belting techniques through this Heavy modal, Twang, Belting Exercise

Tips for Singing Like Nat King Cole

To sing like Nat King Cole, focus on the following:

• Pay close attention to his phrasing, and aim to emulate the rhythmical pattern used in his songs
• Use the appropriate vowel sound to get the fullness of tonality
• Practice your vocal technique to avoid constriction.
• Use your diaphragm when singing instead of relying on your throat
• Try to experiment with different tempos and see how the song changes
• Still develop your style, as one of Nat's strength was singing authentically.

Relevant Articles to Help You

• Tips to analyze your voice
• Understanding and classifying your voice type
• Breathing basics- active/passive
• Voice registers and vocal breaks
• Tips for improving breath support
• The importance of opening your mouth and throat when singing
• Strategies for effective song-learning
• Avoiding constriction and encouraging breath support
• Classical vs. pop/jazz singing
• Balancing intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking while singing
• Contemporary vocal techniques such as Heavy Modal, Twang, Belting and growling
• Exploring Vocal Distortion & Growling
• Singing with Vibrato
• Articulation
• Why do we sing out of pitch?
• Resonance in singing
• How to find your own authentic voice
• Vocal health: prevent damage & healthy habits
• How posture affects your singing
• How to overcome stage fright
• Tips for performing on stage