Singing Guide: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Singing Guide: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the 'Godmother of Rock and Roll,' developed a unique singing style that mixed blues, gospel, and rock. She was a trailblazer in her time, influencing musicians like Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

To learn how to sing like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, start by analyzing your voice. Use Singing Carrots' vocal range test and pitch accuracy test to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Pay attention to the timbre and resonance of your voice, and try to replicate Sister Rosetta Tharpe's rich and soulful sound.

Breathing and breath support are vital for singing like Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Check Singing Carrots' breathing basics article for tips and exercises. Sister Rosetta Tharpe also used twang and growling vocal techniques to great effect. You can learn these techniques with Singing Carrots' exercises for twang and growling.

When choosing songs to showcase Sister Rosetta Tharpe's style, consider "Rock Me," "Strange Things Happening Every Day," and "Up Above My Head." These songs highlight her blues and gospel influences and showcase her vocal range and agility. Use Singing Carrots' song search to find similar songs matching your vocal range and difficulty.

Singing Carrots' singing course covers singing theory and practical tips, including contemporary vocal techniques and how to overcome stage fright. For more inspiration, read our article on singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking.

To further your knowledge, consider learning more about the rock and roll pioneers of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's time. Singing Carrots has articles on pop/Jazz vs classical singing, as well as the history of rock and roll.

Developing your authentic voice is critical, but it's also important to take care of your vocal health. Check out Singing Carrots' article on vocal health for healthy habits.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.