Singing Guide: The Passing Show of 1912
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you want to learn how to sing like Al Jolson, there are a few key elements to consider. First and foremost, Jolson was known for his boisterous stage presence and his emotive delivery. To sing like him, you'll need to be comfortable getting up in front of an audience and putting your heart and soul into every note.
One of Jolson's unique vocal techniques was his use of vibrato. This is something that you can work on by practicing regularly with Singing Carrot's vibrato video exercises. Additionally, Jolson was known for his use of "mammy" songs, which featured a unique blend of yodeling and falsetto. If you want to emulate Jolson's style, then it's worth practicing this type of vocalization and playing with different ways of incorporating it into your singing.
Another important aspect of learning to sing like Al Jolson is to work on your breathing technique. Singing Carrots offers a great breathing basics article that can help you to develop better breath control, which is a key part of Jolson's style. Additionally, you might want to check out Farinelli Breathing exercise on Singing Carrot's site, which can help you to build up your lung capacity and enhance your vocal resonance.
Finally, if you really want to get a sense of Jolson's artistry, it's worth learning some of his signature songs. You can find a number of his classic performances on YouTube, such as his rendition of "My Mammy" from The Passing Show of 1912. Singing Carrots also offers a song search feature that can help you to find other songs in a similar style and vocal range to Jolson's.
By combining these practical tips with plenty of practice and dedication, you can start to develop your own unique singing style that captures the energy, passion, and emotiveness of Al Jolson. Good luck!