Tommy Dorsey, American musician, composer, and bandleader, is considered one of the most versatile and influential trombonists of the Swing era. Known for his characteristic melodic style and amazing control of pitch and tone, his smooth vocals and his driving rhythms, Tommy Dorsey left an indelible mark on jazz music that can still be heard today. In this article, we will explore some of the techniques Tommy Dorsey used to achieve his unique sound and how you can incorporate them in your own singing.

• Breathing: Tommy Dorsey's timing and breath control were phenomenal. To get the clarity of tone, he accentuated each note and kept long lines uninterrupted. You can work on your breathing with the Farinelli breathing exercise.
• Pitch and Intonation: Tommy Dorsey had great intonation control. He always aimed for a clean and precise pitch with vibrato-like tremors that emphasized each note's ending. To develop your pitch accuracy, you can use our pitch accuracy test, which assesses your pitch accuracy with simple melodies, and our vocal pitch monitor, showing your sung notes on a virtual piano.
• Diction and Articulation: Tommy Dorsey's enunciation and clarity of lyrics were remarkable. To emulate his style, use articulation exercises, like the finger bite.
• Phrasing: Tommy Dorsey was a master of "swing," and his incredible phrasing is another aspect of his musical technique. He would usually play a phrase split between brass and reeds in every song to enunciate the swing rhythm. You can enhance your phrasing skills by working on a comfortable chest voice, utilizing vocal registers, and experimenting with voice breaks.
• Authenticity: Tommy Dorsey's style of singing was unique and genuine. Creating your sound requires patience, hard work, and experimenting with different techniques to uncover your unique style. Our 21-lesson singing course covers singing theory and practical tips to help you find your own authentic voice.
• Play to your strengths: Tommy Dorsey's unique trombone tone influenced his band's sound. To showcase his talent, he often used ballads to emphasize his melodic side. Similarly, you should always highlight your strengths and style. Use our songbook to create your performance set that matches your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.

Tommy Dorsey was a musician at heart and approached his art with discipline, passion, and dedication. Incorporating some of his techniques while keeping your style can help you elevate your singing to the next level. As always, don't forget to have fun with it!

Resources:

• How to analyze your voice
• Voice types
• Breathing basics
• Voice registers & vocal break
• Breath support
• Open mouth & throat
• How to learn a song effectively
• Avoiding constrictions
• Pop/Jazz vs Classical singing
• Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking
• Contemporary vocal techniques: Heavy modal, Twang, Belting
• Vocal distortion & Growling
• Singing with Vibrato
• Articulation