Singing Guide: Richie Havens
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Learn Singing Like Richie Havens
Richie Havens, an American folk singer, is known for his unique, powerful, and soulful voice. He became popular in the 1960s for his rhythmic playing of the acoustic guitar and his covers of popular songs. He was also known for his energetic performances that drew audiences from all over.
The Unique Vocal Technique of Richie Havens
Richie Havens had a unique and unconventional singing style. He used his voice in a percussive way, creating rhythmic patterns with his breathing. His soulful style featured a raspy, textured voice that gave his music a deep emotional presence. This technique is characterized by his gritty and deep sound, with a distinct emphasis on rhythm.
Songs That Highlight Havens' Unique Style
If you want to learn to sing like Richie Havens, it's important to listen to his music and focus on the way he approaches every song. We recommend starting with some of his most popular songs, such as "Freedom," "Just Like A Woman," and "Here Comes the Sun." These songs showcase Havens' unique vocal style and the way he used his guitar to accompany his singing.
Practical Advice
If you want to learn how to sing like Richie Havens, here are some practical tips that will bring you success:
- Start by listening to his music, paying close attention to the way he uses his voice to create a percussive and rhythmic sound.
- Experiment with your breathing, trying to match his rhythmic patterns.
- Use your guitar or other instruments to accompany your singing, creating a seamless blend between the two.
- Practice regularly, focusing on your technique and developing the sound that you want to achieve.
- Analyze your voice, try to understand your vocal range, and work on expanding it.
Resources Available on Singing Carrots Platform
Singing Carrots offers a variety of resources that can help you on your journey to sing like Richie Havens. Here are some of the resources we recommend:
- Take the vocal range test to identify your range and compare it to famous singers on Singing Carrot's vocal range test.
- Evaluate "Breathing Basics," such as active/passive breathing, breath support, and respiration on Singing Carrot's breathing basics blog.
- Practice "Chest Voice and Voice Registers" as Richie Havens has done on Singing Carrot's chest voice and registers video.
- Improve your singing skills with Singing Carrot's "Educational Singing Game," the Pitch Training program here.
- Take a singing course for beginners covering theory and practical tips on singingcarrots.com/singing-beginners.
With the right combination of practice, listening, and using the resources available, you can learn to sing like Richie Havens and achieve your dream of developing a unique and soulful sound.