Singing Guide: Norman Greenbaum

Singing Guide: Norman Greenbaum

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

If you're looking to learn singing like Norman Greenbaum, you're in for a real treat. Greenbaum's vocals are characterized by his unique blend of folk, rock, and gospel, with his most famous song being "Spirit in the Sky."

The key to learning Greenbaum's style of singing lies in his energetic and enthusiastic performance style, as well as his use of a nasal tone. To start, focus on your breathing and try to use your diaphragm to project your voice. Pay attention to how he sustains his notes, how he emphasizes certain words, and the dynamics he uses throughout each verse and chorus.

To nail his unique sound, Greenbaum's voice is all about adding "twang" to your tone. This means adding a "buzz" or "ring" to your voice, which can be achieved by lightly constricting your throat muscles and releasing them quickly. To practice twang, consider using the "How to Twang" exercise, which can be found in the provided Skill-related Videos above.

In terms of specific songs to showcase his style, "Spirit in the Sky" is the most popular song and perfect for showcasing Greenbaum's vocals. Other songs that feature similar elements to "Spirit in the Sky" include "Canned Ham" and "Junior Cadillac."

To get more training and tips on achieving Greenbaum's unique style, check out Singing Carrots' articles on voice registers & vocal break and vocal distortion & growling. You can also make use of Singing Carrots tools like the vocal range test, pitch accuracy test, and the vocal pitch monitor to help you develop your skills.

Overall, to learn singing like Norman Greenbaum, focus on developing your breathing techniques and adding a nasal twang to your vocals. With commitment and practice, you'll be able to replicate his iconic style and become an accomplished singer in your own right.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.