Singing Guide: R.B. Greaves
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
R.B. Greaves, born in Georgetown, Guyana, moved to the US at a young age and became an R&B and pop singer who made the US Top 40 in the late 1960s. Greaves' music was notable for its combination of soul, rock, and pop, and his unique vocal style that showcased his impeccable phrasing and ability to wrap his voice around complex melodies. If you're looking to learn how to sing like R.B. Greaves, here are some tips and resources:
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Emulate his smooth phrasing: R.B. Greaves had a distinct vocal style that was defined by his smooth phrasing. To emulate Greaves' phrasing, focus on singing with a relaxed and flexible style. Practice singing the melody of his songs, paying particular attention to how he slides from one note to the next.
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Warm-up and increase your range: Since R.B. Greaves was able to sing such complex melodies, it's important to work on increasing your own range and flexibility. Use Singing Carrots' vocal range test to see where your strengths and weaknesses lie and practice with the Pitch Training exercise.
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Experiment with different vocal techniques: Throughout his career, R.B. Greaves was known for incorporating a variety of techniques into his vocal performances. For example, he sang with vibrato on songs such as "Take a Letter Maria" and incorporated falsetto on "Always Something There To Remind Me." Check out the Singing Carrots' videos on vibrato and practicing sustain for tips on how to develop these techniques.
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Learn his songs: To really get a feel for R.B. Greaves' vocal style, spend some time learning his songs. Singing Carrots has a song search feature, where you can search for songs that match your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.
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Practicing with the right resources: The Singing Carrots' educational singing course, Pitch Training exercises, and educational articles on topics such as breathing, voice registers, and articulation can also help you build the skills you need to sing like R.B. Greaves.
By emulating R.B. Greaves' phrasing, working on increasing your range and flexibility, experimenting with different vocal techniques, and learning his songs, you can start to develop the vocal skills needed to sing like this soulful R&B icon.