Singing Guide: Ray Stevens
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Singing like Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens is an American country and pop singer-songwriter, famous for his humorous novelty songs. With a career spanning over 60 years, Stevens has sold millions of records and won multiple Grammy Awards. His upbeat and witty style has made him a beloved icon of American Music.
Unique Vocal Technique
Stevens is widely recognized for his unique vocal style, which combines clear enunciation, precise intonation, and a playful personality. He often employs a high-pitched, energetic delivery, which adds a lightheartedness to his quirky songs.
One of the best ways to learn singing like Ray Stevens is to master his signature vocal technique. Start by analyzing your voice with singingcarrots.com's vocal range test. Stevens often sings in the higher registers of his voice, so if your range is lacking in that area, consider working on exercises that emphasize and strengthen your head voice.
To perfect your enunciation like Stevens, check out singingcarrots.com's articulation article and finger bite exercise. This exercise focuses on the clarity and accuracy of your words, making them easy to understand even if sung rapidly.
Songs to Showcase His Technique
Some of the most famous Ray Stevens' songs are "The Streak," "Ahab, The Arab," and "Everything Is Beautiful." Each of these songs showcases his unique style.
To sing like Ray Stevens, practicing covering a few of these tunes. Listen to how he phrases his lyrics playfully and emphasizes key words to make them fun and memorable. Once you have mastered the basic elements, take some of these songs up a notch by adding your own personality. Remember to use the right nuances and tempo to make each song fun and enjoyable for your audience.
Practical Exercise to Improve Your Skills
One effective exercises that can improve your singing skills is breathing exercises. Specifically, the Farinelli breathing exercise will teach your body the proper technique to get more control over your singing. Proper breathing is essential for singing with power and control.
Singing Carrots Resources to Further Improve
Singingcarrots.com provides a wide variety of resources for improving your singing skills.
For pitch accuracy, try the Singing Carrot's pitch accuracy test, which tests your pitch using Easy and Advanced Mode. You can also use the Pitch Monitor to see how you're hitting your notes in real-time.
To further improve your performance skills, consider signing up for the singingcarrots.com singing course, which offers a comprehensive program covering singing theory and practical tips.
Conclusion
With the right training and resources, it is possible to learn to sing like Ray Stevens. Focus on his playful, high-pitched vocal style, as well as his unique enunciation and phrasing. Practicing exercises from Singing Carrots, particularly breathing techniques and singing exercises, can also help improve your skills. And don't forget to have fun with your singing - these fun, novelty songs were meant to be enjoyed!