The Stylistics are one of the most celebrated soul music groups of the 1970s, famous for their smooth, harmonic sound and romantic ballads. The unique vocal style of the group's falsetto lead singer, Russell Thompkins Jr., is a key factor in their success. In this article, we'll explore how to learn to sing like The Stylistics and highlight some of their most popular songs, along with providing practical advice and resources from Singing Carrots.

Vocal Technique

Thompkins' signature vocal style is characterized by his soaring falsetto voice. To learn to sing like him, it's important to work on your falsetto and practice hitting the high notes with clarity and ease. Singing Carrots' Pitch Training game is a useful resource for developing your vocal range and mastering your falsetto.

Another key aspect of Thompkins' singing is his control of vibrato, which adds emotion and expression to his performance. Singing Carrots' article on how to sing with vibrato provides valuable tips and techniques for mastering this vocal technique.

Finally, Thompkins' precise and smooth phrasing is another element of his vocal style that sets him apart. Singing Carrots' article on articulation breaks down the mechanics of clear speech, and the Finger Bite exercise video can help you to achieve crisp vocal articulation.

Important Songs

The Stylistics are well known for their many classic love ballads, often featuring Thompkins' soaring vocals. Some of their most popular songs include:

• "Betcha By Golly, Wow"
• "You Are Everything"
• "Break Up to Make Up"
• "People Make the World Go Round"
• "Stone in Love with You"

These songs showcase Thompkins' smooth falsetto and expert control of vibrato. When practicing, try to emulate his phrasing and vocal style to capture the essence of these timeless recordings.

Resources

In addition to the Pitch Training and vibrato articles and Finger Bite exercise video mentioned earlier, there are a few more Singing Carrots resources that can be helpful as you learn to sing like The Stylistics:

• Singing Carrots' article on voice registers and vocal breaks can help you to understand and control your vocal range, similar to how Thompkins uses his falsetto.
• Singing Carrots' range test tool can help you to determine your vocal range relative to other singers and to identify areas for improvement.
• And finally, Singing Carrots' 21-lesson singing course is packed with valuable information and guidance for aspiring singers, covering everything from breathing and posture to music theory and performance techniques.

Good luck on your singing journey, and remember to practice consistently and with passion!