Singing Guide: Sammy Kershaw
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Sammy Kershaw is widely regarded as one of the finest country singers of his generation, drawing on influences from classic honky-tonk as well as rock and roll. His distinctive drawl and smooth, heartfelt delivery make for an instantly recognizable sound that has won him legions of fans across the world.
If you want to learn to sing like Sammy Kershaw, there are several techniques to focus on. One of the most important is breath control, which allows you to sustain longer notes and maintain your pitch throughout a song. Singing exercises like Farinelli Breathing will help you to master this technique.
Another key aspect of Kershaw's sound is his phrasing, particularly the way he emphasizes certain words and syllables to give the song an extra emotional punch. To practice this, check out Singing Carrots' How to learn a song effectively article, which offers tips on analyzing the lyrics and meaning of a song to enhance your performance. Additionally, the Articulation article provides techniques for improving your diction, so that you can bring clarity to Kershaw's lyrics.
One area where Kershaw really excels is in his use of vibrato, which he uses to great effect on ballads to add warmth and richness to his singing. A good exercise to help you develop your vibrato technique is to practice humming, as shown in this Singing Carrots' Humming video.
Finally, it's important to have a good understanding of Kershaw's distinct style if you want to sing like him. Singing Carrots' Pop/Jazz vs Classical singing article discusses the differences between country/pop/jazz singing compared to classical singing. Additionally, the Contemporary vocal techniques: Heavy modal, Twang, Belting article explains three contemporary vocal techniques that you can use to add edge and power to your singing, similar to Kershaw's style.
With consistent practice and dedication, anyone can learn to sing like Sammy Kershaw. So why not give it a try? Check out Singing Carrots' Vocal range test and Pitch Training to get started on your journey towards becoming a skilled country singer like Kershaw.