Learning to Sing Like Dinah Washington in "Trouble In Tahiti"

Dinah Washington was a prominent American singer known for her versatility, range, and emotional depth. Her ability to convey deep emotions has made her a favorite among many singers, but also a formidable challenge to tackle. To emulate her style, students must familiarize themselves with her music, master the basic vocal techniques, and learn how to add their own flavor to the performance. This article covers the key steps and practical tips to learn singing like Dinah Washington.

Introduction

In this article, we will show you how to sing like Dinah Washington in "Trouble in Tahiti," a jazz-infused opera that showcases her unique vocal technique and style. You will learn the techniques that made Dinah Washington one of the greatest singers of the 20th century and apply them to your own performances.

Warm-up Exercises

Before starting any singing practice, you need to do warm-up exercises to prepare your voice and body. The best warm-up exercises for singers are those that loosen up the vocal cords and help develop breath control.

Start by practicing your breathing. Farinelli Breathing is an excellent video to get you started. Next, focus on articulation, as this is an important aspect of singing jazz. Finger Bite is a fun and effective articulation tool.

Humming is also a great way to warm up your voice. It helps you to focus on your breathing and releases any tension in your throat.

Voice Technique

Dinah Washington had a unique voice; she sang with power, precision, and emotion. To emulate her technique, you need to master several techniques - breath control, phrasing, and tone.

Breath control is the foundation of good singing. Learn how to breathe actively and passively before starting any vocal exercise. The "Breath Support" article on Singing Carrots has everything you need to know about proper breathing techniques.

Phrasing is also essential in jazz singing. To capture the essence of Dinah’s singing, you must learn to use micro-pauses in phrases, scoops, and glissandos. This approach gives the performance a more natural, relaxed feel.

Tone is perhaps the most distinctive part of Dinah’s style, and it takes time to develop your own voice. You need to find ways of bringing emotion and color into your singing, building on your natural tone to create something unique.

Learning Dinah’s Songs

To learn singing like Dinah Washington, you must familiarize yourself with her music. Dinah is famous for her soulful, emotional renditions of ballads. Two great examples are "A Sunday Kind of Love" and "This Bitter Earth."

When you are ready, search for songs that suit your vocal range. The "Search songs" tool on Singing Carrots can help you find songs that match your skills.

Singing with Emotion

Dinah Washington was known for the depth of feeling she conveyed in her singing. To achieve this, you must learn to sing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking. Singing is about creating an emotional connection, and you must be willing to explore your own emotional landscape to achieve this.

Singing Carrots Resource

The Singing Carrots tool "Vocal Pitch Monitor" can help you monitor and track your vocal progress. Use the tool to compare your singing with Dinah’s style. The "Song Book" feature can also help you create your repertoire for a live performance.

Conclusion

In summary, to learn singing like Dinah Washington, you must combine your natural talent with practice, patience, and persistence. Use the Singing Carrots tools and articles to improve your technique, learn the songs and put your heart and soul into your singing. Singing is about taking your audience on a journey, and if you master Dinah’s style, you can take them on a journey that they will never forget.