Singing Guide: Yusuf Islam

Singing Guide: Yusuf Islam

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Yusuf Islam, also known as Cat Stevens, is a British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is known for his unique style of folk-pop music which incorporates elements of rock, blues, and Middle Eastern music in his songs.

One of the distinctive features of Yusuf's voice is his smooth and warm tone. His songs are characterized by simple yet captivating melodies, and his lyrics often convey strong messages related to spirituality and social issues.

If you want to learn how to sing like Yusuf Islam, it is important to develop a few key vocal techniques and focus on some of his signature songs.

To start, it's important to work on your breathing technique and posture to achieve a relaxed and supported sound. Try Singing Carrots' Farinelli Breathing exercise to improve your breath control and support.

Another important aspect of Yusuf's vocal style is his use of vibrato. Check out Singing Carrots' video on Singing with Vibrato to improve your ability to add vibrato to your singing.

Practice Yusuf's vocal warm-up exercises to increase your range and improve your pitch accuracy. Use Singing Carrots' Pitch Accuracy Test to assess your pitch accuracy and Pitch Training to develop your skills.

Yusuf is known for his acoustic guitar-driven songs, which often feature fingerpicking techniques. Consider learning to play guitar to accompany your singing.

Now, let's focus on some of Yusuf's signature songs that showcase his vocal style:

  • "Wild World": This classic song features Yusuf's smooth vocal tone and use of vibrato. It's a great song for practicing dynamics and phrasing.
  • "Moonshadow": This upbeat song showcases Yusuf's ability to use his voice as an instrument. Try practicing the song's playful "la la la" chorus to develop your own vocal improvisation skills.
  • "Peace Train": This song is an excellent showcase of Yusuf's ability to convey a strong message through his music. Practice singing the song's repetitive chorus and focus on phrasing to convey the song's message effectively.
  • "Father and Son": This song is a great example of how Yusuf combines his vocal and guitar skills to create a powerful emotional effect. Practice singing the song's harmonies to improve your ability to blend your voice with other instruments.

Incorporate these tips and Singing Carrots resources into your singing practice to improve your skills and learn how to sing like Yusuf Islam.

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