Singing Guide: Ray Henderson
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Learn to Sing Like Ray Henderson
Ray Henderson was a songwriter and pianist of the 20th century. He is best known for his contributions to popular music of the 1920s and 1930s. His unique vocal technique is characterized by his soft and melodious voice, which perfectly complemented his swinging melodies.
Voice Analysis
If you want to learn to sing like Ray Henderson, you should begin by analyzing your own voice. To do this, you can take the Vocal Range Test provided by Singing Carrots. This test will help you determine your vocal range, which is the range of notes that you can comfortably sing.
Once you have analyzed your voice, you may find that your vocal range is similar to that of Ray Henderson. For example, your voice may be most comfortable singing in a range of notes that is close to the range of notes that Ray Henderson typically sang in his songs, such as "Bye Bye Blackbird", "The Best Things in Life Are Free", and "That Old Gang of Mine". You can further explore the vocal range of famous singers by checking out the Artists section of Singing Carrots.
Breathing Techniques
Breathing techniques are an essential part of learning to sing like Ray Henderson. To start, you should practice active and passive breathing. This technique helps you to control the flow of air through your lungs and airways, which is essential for producing sound.
Another effective breathing technique for singers is breath support. This technique involves using your diaphragm to support your breath while singing, which helps to stabilize your sound and improve your vocal control.
Vocal Registers
Learning how to use your vocal registers is another critical factor for singing like Ray Henderson. To start, you should practice using your chest voice, falsetto, and head voice. Learning to control these different vocal registers will allow you to change your tone and pitch, creating a range of dynamic sounds.
Songs and Exercises
To truly master singing like Ray Henderson, you should practice singing his songs and other songs from his era. You may find that some of his songs are challenging due to the intricate melodies, but with practice and patience, you can improve your skills.
Some exercises that can help improve your singing skills include:
Conclusion
Learning to sing like Ray Henderson requires practice, patience, and dedication. Utilizing Singing Carrots resources like the Vocal Pitch Monitor, the Pitch Training game, and the Song search function can help improve your skills as you strive to master his unique vocal style.