Singing Guide: Thomas 'Fats' Waller
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Thomas "Fats" Waller was a prolific musician and composer who revolutionized the traditional stride piano style with his virtuosic playing. Waller created a signature sound that was instantly recognizable, and his prodigious talent made him a star on Broadway and beyond. His music has been covered by countless artists over the years, and his influence can still be felt in contemporary jazz, blues, and pop music.
To learn singing like Fats Waller, it is important to first understand his unique vocal technique. Waller had a deep, rich baritone voice with perfect pitch. He was known for his playful and humorous stage presence, often using his voice to mimic the sounds of various instruments in his ensemble. His vocal style incorporated elements of scat singing, with improvised vocalizations that mimicked the rhythms and melodies of his piano playing.
To start learning how to sing like Fats Waller, it is important to master the basics of vocal technique, such as breathing and posture. Singing Carrots offers several resources for this, including their breathing basics article and the good singing posture video. For those looking to improve their pitch, the pitch accuracy test and vocal pitch monitor can also be helpful tools.
Once you have a solid vocal foundation, it's time to start incorporating Waller's unique vocal style into your singing. His scat singing technique can be particularly challenging, but can be mastered with practice. Singing Carrots' pitch training module offers a range of exercises and warm-ups that can help singers develop their improvisational skills, as well as their ability to mimic the sounds of other instruments. The finger bite articulation exercise is particularly helpful for improving dexterity and precision in the voice.
When it comes to choosing songs to sing in the style of Fats Waller, there are several classics that showcase his signature sound. "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Honeysuckle Rose," and "The Joint Is Jumpin'" are all excellent choices. Singing Carrots' song search feature can help you find other songs in a similar style and with a similar vocal range to Waller's music.
Overall, learning to sing like Fats Waller requires practice, patience, and a willingness to experiment with different vocal techniques. Singing Carrots offers a wealth of resources that can help singers of all skill levels develop their voices and achieve their musical goals. Happy singing!