Singing Guide: Roaring Lion
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
To learn how to sing like Roaring Lion, you need to understand his unique style and technique. Roaring Lion, also known as Rafael de Leon, was a Trinidadian calypsonian, known for his smooth, clear voice and impeccable timing. He was famous for his rich baritone, which he used to vary tempo and melody, creating an instantly recognizable sound.
Roaring Lion's unique style was defined by his ability to improvise and create his own music on the spot. His songs were characterized by their witty lyrics, and clever use of rhyme and metaphor. To sing like Roaring Lion, you need to develop your ability to improvise and create original songs using clever lyrics and catchy melodies.
You can start by analyzing your voice and determining your voice type with Singing Carrots' vocal range test. Knowing your vocal range will enable you to choose the right songs that suit your voice. Consider songs like "Sacrilicious," "Mary Ann," and "Ugly Woman," which showcases Roaring Lion's exceptional vocal technique.
Proper breathing techniques are vital in developing your singing voice, and Singing Carrots offers articles explaining breathing basics, breath support, and active and passive breathing. By understanding these techniques and emphasizing the importance of maintaining an open mouth and throat while singing, you can achieve Roaring Lion's signature sound.
Roaring Lion's unique vocal technique involves the use of "twang," which Singing Carrots' video tutorial can help you master. This technique is critical in achieving the distinct baritone sound that Roaring Lion is known for. Another vocal technique that you can incorporate is chest voice, which is explained in an excellent article on Singing Carrots.
Additionally, Singing Carrots' pitch accuracy test helps develop pitch accuracy, which is crucial in reproducing Roaring Lion's smooth, clear voice. You'll learn how to control nasality by practicing different onsets and offsets such as the glottal onset, and how to sing with vibrato using exercises like "Beggars Bounce" and "Diaphragm Bounce."
To find songs matching your vocal range and genre preference, you can use the Singing Carrots song search tool. You can also browse the artist vocal range to discover the vocal ranges of famous calypsonians, including Roaring Lion. Give a listen to their music and attempt to replicate their vocal technique.
With consistent practice and dedication, using Singing Carrots' educational singing course and pitch training exercises, you can develop your unique singing voice like Roaring Lion. Remember to focus on the key techniques such as twang, chest voice, and proper breathing and articulation to achieve a smooth and clear sound.