Singing Guide: Ray Noble
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Ray Noble was an acclaimed big band leader and composer from the 1920s and 30s. Known for his butter-smooth vocals and polished manners, he rose to popularity with his quintessential hit, "The Very Thought of You." He was also responsible for launching the careers of many jazz musicians and record producers.
Noble's signature singing style is marked by a laid-back phrasing, effortless enunciation, and gentle vibrato. To sing like Ray Noble, you must be able to replicate these characteristics.
One of Noble's songs that showcases his vocal style best is "Goodnight Sweetheart," where his crooning is backed by his orchestra. This song provides the perfect launching pad to replicate Noble's vocal mannerisms. To sing "Goodnight Sweetheart" well, practice sustaining the high notes without losing your composure and focus on keeping the vocals smooth and suave.
As you practice singing like Ray Noble, you can improve your overall singing skillset by incorporating the following elements:
- Pay attention to your posture and breathing techniques. Refer to this breathing basics article for details.
- Use the vocal range test, a powerful tool to accurately identify your vocal range, and train to increase your range using Pitch Training. This comprehensive toolset covers everything from warm-ups to pitch accuracy and can help you significantly improve your skills.
- To learn more about voice registers and the vocal break, refer to this Voice registers & vocal break article.
- Enunciate your words and sing every word purposefully. For this, it's essential to work on your articulation. Refer to this articulation article for tips and techniques.
- Practice songs that have a specific rhyming pattern to improve your ear-to-voice coordination and accuracy. Refer to this How to learn a song effectively guide to master songs faster.
Last but not least, keep in mind that mastering Noble's singing style takes time and patience. Don't be disheartened if it takes time to get it right. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Use the references provided to explore more about singing theory and get practical tips with our educational singing course that covers everything you need to begin your singing journey.
Keep improving your vocal skills using our range of tests, tools, and exercises at Singing Carrots!