Singing Guide: Reno & Smiley
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
For anyone trying to learn how to sing like Reno & Smiley there are a few key things to keep in mind. One of the most notable aspects of their sound is the tight harmonies between Don Reno, Red Smiley and the Tennessee Cut-Ups. Additionally, the band generally favored faster, more upbeat songs, often accompanied by a driving banjo rhythm.
To start singing like Reno & Smiley, the first thing to focus on is harmony. One of the best resources to learn harmonies is Singing Carrots' Vocal Pitch Monitor. This tool allows you to see and hear your pitch in real-time. Practicing with the Vocal Pitch Monitor helps you to easily identify your own mistakes and adjust your pitch accordingly.
Reno & Smiley often made use of bluegrass "holler" technique where vocals are exaggerated for emphasis. This technique could help add some edge to your vocals. To get you started on learning how to holler, we recommend Singing Carrots' Twang exercise video. This will help you get a similar sound to the one Reno & Smiley employed.
Another important element of singing like Reno & Smiley is focusing on the songs themselves. The band had a particular affinity for upbeat, fast songs that often featured banjo solos and intricate vocal harmonies. Some of the best examples of this are their live renditions of "I'm the Talk of the Town", "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" and "I Don't Love Nobody".
Finally, we recommend trying out Singing Carrots' Pitch Training educational game. This game helps you to develop both your pitch accuracy and agility. It's an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their singing abilities.
Overall, if you're looking to learn how to sing like Reno & Smiley, you should focus on tightening your vocal harmonies, practicing hollering vocal techniques, replicating the sound of fast-paced, banjo-heavy tunes, and improving your pitch accuracy and agility with tools like Vocal Pitch Monitor and Pitch Training.