Singing Guide: Nora Bayes-Norworth
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Nora Bayes-Norworth was a quintessential American songstress of the early 1900s. She popularized a genre of theatrical songs that blended comedy, sentimentality, and novelty, accompanied by a distinctive style of singing, which could be both sweet and brassy.
Nora Bayes-Norworth's style of singing can be defined as "Vaudeville" or "Tin Pan Alley" singing, marked by an emphasis on clear diction, expressive lyrics, and an easy-to-follow melody with a pronounced rhythmic pulse. Nora Bayes-Norworth has a distinctive vocal technique where she twists notes and modulates the pitch, a technique that became synonymous with her singing style.
One of Nora Bayes-Norworth's most famous songs is "Shine on, Harvest Moon." A classic love ballad with sweeping lyrics and a catchy tune, the song is often associated with Nora Bayes-Norworth, who popularized it in the early 1900s. Another popular song that showcases Nora Bayes-Norworth's unique vocal style is "Over There." Nora Bayes-Norworth sang the song for troops as they headed overseas in World War I, and it quickly became an anthem for American soldiers.
If you want to sound like Nora Bayes-Norworth, you should start by improving your voice and vocal range. Singing multiple octaves requires making use of chest, head, and mixed registers seamlessly, and learning them becomes more comfortable when you register with Singing Carrots' vocal range test, which is an excellent tool to get started. When you know your vocal range, you can start looking for songs that match your voice type and begin singing along.
To develop your vocal technique, taking Singing Carrots' vocal course, which offers a comprehensive guide to singing fundamentals, singing warm-ups, and practical tips, would be highly beneficial. You will learn about voice types, breathing basics, voice registers, vocal breaks, breath support, singing vowels, articulation, and more by taking this course.
Techniques specific to Nora Bayes-Norworth's singing style are a focus on chest voice, open mouth and throat, and twisted notes. To learn these techniques, you should try the Singing Carrots exercises like "Chest Voice Explained" video, "Open Mouth and Throat while Singing" article, and "Glottal Onset" video. These exercises will help you understand how to sing like Nora Bayes-Norworth and achieve her iconic singing style.
In conclusion, Nora Bayes-Norworth's unique vocal style and songs reflect an important era in American music history. By taking Singing Carrots' vocal course, using the vocal range test, and practicing the Nora Bayes-Norworth exercises referenced above, you will gain the skills to improve your voice and develop your singing technique to sound like this legendary singer.