In the world of music history, few arrangers and composers have been as influential as Nelson Riddle. From Bing Crosby to Frank Sinatra, the voice of Nelson Riddle’s music is one that has resonated with audiences for generations. Although he started his career as a trombone player, he was governed by an artistic vision that the records made by him bear witness to. In this article, we will explore how to learn singing like Nelson Riddle, focusing on his unique style and techniques, and how you can use the various resources that Singing Carrots offers to help you cultivate these techniques.

Nelson Riddle's Unique Style

Nelson Riddle's arranging style is characterized by tight harmonies and his ability to make the music grove. For Nelson, every note was vital. He employs the use of small, unusual voicings to create a fuller sound in his arrangements, thus making his music stand out. A technique that stood out in his arrangements was his innovative use of the "Mickey Mousing" technique, which is a way of using the music to illustrate what was happening onscreen. It involves matching every movement of the action with corresponding musical sounds.

Songs Showcasing Nelson Riddle's Style

To grasp the full extent of his unique style, "The Witchcraft," performed by Sinatra, and "Mona Lisa," performed by Nat King Cole are great songs to learn. These two songs showcase his innovative arranging style that made his records irresistible to listen to.

How to Cultivate Nelson's Techniques

To learn singing like Nelson Riddle, one needs to pay close attention to various techniques. The following tips can help.

1. Breathing: To have an excellent singing experience, you first need to focus on your breathing technique. Singing Carrots has an article on breathing that offers practical insight.
2. Vocal Range: It is vital to know your vocal range. This will help you in choosing the right key for each song, which is very important. You can determine your vocal range here.
3. Warm-ups: Before singing any song, one should do warm-ups to get the vocal cords moving.
4. Articulation: Nelson Riddle's arrangements are characterized by an emphasis on every note. Therefore, articulation is vital. You can learn more about articulation with this Singing Carrots article.
5. Vocal Health: Maintaining good vocal health is of paramount importance to ensure the sustainability and longevity of your singing career. Singing Carrots provides some valuable tips on vocal health.

Singing Carrots Resources

Singing Carrots aims to provide all the necessary tools that a singer will need to learn how to create great music. Here are some essential resources for learning how to sing like Nelson Riddle:

1. The vocal range test will help you identify and improve your vocal range. Link: Vocal range test
2. The pitch accuracy test will help enhance your pitch accuracy. Link: Pitch accuracy test
3. The vocal pitch monitor is an essential tool that lets you see your notes on a virtual piano. Link: Vocal pitch monitor
4. Pitch training is a fun way to improve your pitch accuracy. Link: Pitch training - Educational Singing Game
5. Song search allows singers to search for songs according to their vocal range. Link: Search songs by vocal range
6. Discover the vocal ranges of over 5000 famous singers on this page.
7. The singing course provides a comprehensive program covering singing theory and practical tips.

Conclusion

The unique style of Nelson Riddle's arrangements has been enjoyed by countless audiences for years. By studying his music and employing these practical tips and Singing Carrots resources, you can hone your techniques and create music that emulates the great arrangements and sounds that Nelson Riddle was so well-known for. It is a journey that requires time, effort, and dedication. But with the correct mindset and access to the right resources, anyone can learn like a pro from Nelson Riddle.