Singing Guide: The Chords
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Welcome!
If you're interested in singing like The Chords, you've come to the right place. This Bronx-based doo-wop group started in 1956 and released some of the most unforgettable songs of the genre. The Chords are famous for their perfect harmony, and their most remarkable song is "Sh-Boom."
The Chords' signature sound was characterized by their harmonization and syncopation, which is very prominent in "Sh-Boom." If you want to learn to sing like The Chords, start by identifying your vocal range with the help of Singing Carrots' vocal range test. Knowing your range will help you find the right key to sing and work on the correct harmonization.
To sing like The Chords, you need to practice active breathing and breath support to enable the swift vocalizations required for doo-wop. You'll also need to develop your voice registers and work on your vocal break (the point at which your voice moves from chest to head voice).
To learn how to master harmonization, it's worthwhile to learn the concept of voice types. Once you know the range of notes you can hit, learn to use pitch accuracy test to understand and practice your harmonization abilities.
One of the songs that showcase The Chords' unique vocal techniques is "Sh-Boom." The song includes a vocal harmonization that starts right from the beginning of the song. For The Chords, "Sh-Boom" was a breakthrough in creating a unique sound by hot-stepping harmony, which separates them from other groups of their time.
If you've reached this far and want to continue learning to sing like the Chords, you can check out the Singing Carrots resources listed below.
- Breathing basics
- Voice registers & vocal break
- Open mouth & throat
- Avoiding constrictions
- Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking
- Classical vs. pop/jazz singing
- Pitch training
- Singing course
You can also find plenty of songs with different genres and levels, which match with your vocal range and difficulty level. That will keep you practicing your developing voice and skills.