Singing Guide: Stephane Grappelli
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Stéphane Grappelli is a French jazz violinist and composer who collaborated with Django Reinhardt and founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France. Grappelli's unique playing style combines classical music strains with jazz improvisation, creating a new genre of violin playing that is both melodic and technical.
To learn to sing like Stéphane Grappelli, we must start by understanding his unique technique. He approached the violin not only as a melodic instrument but also as a percussive instrument. His bowing technique was non-traditional, and he used his bow's percussive qualities to accentuate certain notes to create a more rhythmic feel. He was famous for his long, sweeping, fluid phrasing and use of double stops to create a fuller sound.
One of Grappelli's go-to pieces was "Minor Swing," which he played with Django Reinhardt. It's an excellent piece to study to learn Grappelli's violin playing. Remember to focus on the phrasing and try to capture the spirit of his style.
To replicate Grappelli's violin technique, you'll need to focus on several key singing elements. Firstly, you need to work on your bowing technique, emphasizing each note to create a more percussive, rhythmic feel to your singing. To achieve this, use the tips mentioned about his unconventional bowing technique and phrasing.
Secondly, you need to build strong breath support and diaphragm control to get full notes and sustain them for longer durations. Master the breathing tips mentioned above in the resources section to improve your breathing rhythm.
Finally, use our "Pitch Accuracy Test," "Vocal Pitch Monitor," and "Pitch Training" tools to work on your note accuracy and intonation. You can also use our "Song Search" and "Song-book" tools to find songs that fit your singing range, genre preference, and skill level for practice; remember, practice makes perfect.
To conclude, if you're interested in mastering Grappelli's violin technique, take advantage of the Singing Carrots's resources and practical advice offered to build a solid foundation with your singing technique.