Singing Guide: William 'Smokey' Robinson

Singing Guide: William 'Smokey' Robinson

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

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How to Sing Like Smokey Robinson

William "Smokey" Robinson is a legendary singer and songwriter, known for his unique blend of soul, R&B, and pop music. His smooth, silky voice has captivated audiences for decades, making him one of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time. If you want to learn how to sing like Smokey Robinson, here are some tips and techniques to get you started:

1. Master the basics

Before you can sing like Smokey Robinson, you need to have a solid foundation in singing basics, such as breathing, pitch, and range. SingingCarrots.com provides many excellent resources to help you refine your skills and develop your voice. Start with the vocal range test to determine your starting point and use the pitch accuracy test to practice matching pitch. Once you have the basics down, you can move on to more advanced techniques.

2. Focus on phrasing and diction

One of Smokey Robinson's signature features is his unique phrasing and diction. He has a way of stretching and bending words that gives his songs an added dimension of emotion and texture. To emulate this style, listen to Smokey's songs and study the way he phrases his lyrics. Pay attention to how he accents certain syllables and how he enunciates his words.

3. Learn from his songs

Smokey Robinson has recorded countless hits throughout his career. To learn how to sing like him, pick a few of his songs that showcase his vocal style and study them. Listen to how he approaches the melody and how he adds his own creative flourishes and embellishments. Some of his most iconic songs include "The Tracks of My Tears," "Cruisin'," and "Being with You."

4. Tap into your emotions

Smokey Robinson's music is all about emotion and feeling. To sing like him, you need to tap into your own emotions and convey them through your voice. Practice connecting with the lyrics of a song on an emotional level and letting that emotion come through in your singing. This will help you to infuse your performances with the soulful quality that defines Smokey Robinson.

5. Warm-up before every performance

Just like any athlete, singers need to warm up before they perform. Use SingingCarrots.com's pitch training and vocal warm-up exercises to get your voice ready for a performance. Smokey Robinson's songs often feature high notes and intricate harmonies, so it's important to stretch and strengthen your vocal muscles before you hit the stage.

6. Practice regularly

The key to improving your singing is practice. Set aside time each day to work on your voice, using the resources available on SingingCarrots.com and other online singing forums. The more you practice, the more you'll develop your own unique style and sound, while learning from the great Smokey Robinson.

With these tips and techniques, you can start learning how to sing like Smokey Robinson. Use SingingCarrots.com's tools and resources to help you refine your skills and develop your voice.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.