Aretha Franklin said it best when she described Sam & Dave as the greatest R&B singers of all time. Combine one part church revival, one part gospel, and one part maximum soul, and you have Sam Moore and Dave Prater. Whether they were tearing the roof off on "Hold On, I’m Comin’" or imploring their babies to "Soothe Me," their songs never failed to electrify audiences. There's a reason they're often referred to as "The Sultans of Sweat." If you want to learn how to sing like Sam & Dave, this guide is for you!

Sam & Dave Vocal Techniques

First things first, you need to get familiar with the Sam & Dave sound. Sam Moore and Dave Prater were both tenors, but what made their harmonies so powerful was the way they piled on top of each other, pushing their voices ever higher. To really nail the Sam & Dave sound, focus on hitting those high notes with confidence and conviction. You also want to maintain a powerful chest voice, while still maintaining a clear, bright tone.

To get started, take Singing Carrots’ voice type test and see where you land on the range scale. From there, you can work on expanding your vocal range and getting comfortable with the higher notes. Try Singing Carrots’ pitch accuracy test to work on hitting notes precisely.

When singing like Sam & Dave, it is important to keep your voice relaxed. Warm-ups are great for relaxing your voice muscles. Use Singing Carrots’ educational singing course as your practice starter. If you're new to singing, Singing Carrots' educational singing course is a great place to start.

Sam & Dave Songs to Learn

Some of the most popular Sam & Dave songs include:

• Hold On, I’m Comin'
• Soul Man
• When Something Is Wrong with My Baby
• I Thank You

These songs showcase what made Sam & Dave special and unique. They're packed with high-energy vocals, bluesy riffs, and a bold horn section. Study each song and listen closely to how Sam & Dave's vocals complemented each other.

Singing Like Sam & Dave: Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips for singing like Sam & Dave:

1. Study up on your vocal registers. Sam & Dave exemplified the "mixed" vocal register. Practice singing with an open mouth and throat while maintaining a supported chest voice.
2. Avoid nasal tonality by practicing soft palate techniques. Singing Carrots has an excellent tutorial on how to stop sounding nasal.
3. Articulation is important. Be clear with your words and enunciation.
4. Express your own emotions while singing. Sam & Dave poured their hearts into every song they sang, and it's that emotional connection that made their performances so powerful. Get comfortable expressing your own emotions while singing.

Singing Carrots Resources

Here are some Singing Carrots resources to help you develop Sam & Dave's vocal techniques:

• Use vocal range test to determine your vocal range, and pitch accuracy test to assess your precision.
• Use pitch training for interactive exercises in ear training, pitch visualizer, and agility.
• Search songs based on your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference using Singing Carrots’ song search.
• Use Singing Carrots’ artist vocal ranges to discover vocal ranges of famous singers.
• Learn more about vocal techniques, warm-ups, stage skills, and what makes Sam & Dave unique using the blogs provided.

Conclusion

Sam & Dave are some of the most beloved soul singers of all time, and for good reason. Their voices were powerful, their harmonies were tight, and their music was impossible to resist. If you want to sing like Sam & Dave, then it's all about staying true to their unique sound, practicing consistently, and tapping into your own emotional power. With Singing Carrots' resources, you can develop your own style and perfect your technique.