Singing Guide: Solomon Burke

Singing Guide: Solomon Burke

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Solomon Burke was an American soul singer whose voice was deep, powerful, and expressive. He was also a preacher and used his voice to deliver rousing performances that were often referred to as soul sermons. To learn to sing like Burke, you'll need to focus on three key elements:

Technique:

Burke's vocal style was a combination of gospel, soul, and R&B. He had a rich voice and utilized a range of techniques to create a distinctive sound. One of the most important techniques Burke used was his breath control. To develop this, working on breathing exercises like those available here can be really helpful.

Another important aspect of Burke's technique was his use of melisma, which involves singing multiple notes on a single syllable. To incorporate this technique into your own singing, it is best to first practice it on a simple tune. Other techniques that Burke used include adding vibrato to notes and using straight tone.

Songs:

Burke was famous for his soulful ballads and up-tempo R&B hits. Some of his most famous songs include "Cry to Me," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," "You're Good for Me," "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)," and "Got to Get You Off My Mind." Studying the melody, lyrics, and phrasing of these songs can help you to understand Burke's unique style and incorporate some of these aspects into your own singing.

Emotion:

Burke was a passionate performer who sang with conviction. To perform like Burke, connect the emotion to each note and each phrase. Feeling what you're singing is key to unlocking the full range of your voice, and is especially important in soul and gospel music.

To develop your vocal ability like Burke’s, explore the educational singing course offered by Singing Carrots. It can give you a better understanding of the technical aspects of singing and cater your learning to your skill level. When it comes to singing like Burke, keeping in mind the techniques, songs, and emotional aspects of his style, in combination and practice, can help you develop your own soulful sound that pays homage to the legendary Solomon Burke.

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