R&B, short for Rhythm and Blues, is a genre that has evolved dramatically since its inception in the 1940s, encompassing a wide range of styles and techniques.
From the soulful, emotive deliveries of Aretha Franklin to the contemporary stylings of artists like Beyoncé, R&B singing demands a unique combination of technical skill, emotional expression, and personal style. This chapter will provide a comprehensive guide to developing a strong foundation in R&B singing, focusing on both scientific aspects and popular techniques to inspire and equip you with the tools needed for this versatile genre.
R&B singing is as much about artistry and emotion as it is about technical mastery. By integrating scientific methods and nurturing your expressive capabilities, you’ll develop a profound and authentic R&B vocal style. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, so enjoy the process and allow your unique voice to shine.
When learning to sing new songs, or exploring a new genre, there are many resources, techniques, and methods to consider that may benefit you as you learn and grow your voice.
Understanding the R&B Style
R&B emerged in the 1940s and has since evolved to encompass various sub-genres, influenced by gospel, jazz, and blues. Understanding its roots can enrich your interpretation of the style.
Musical Characteristics
Melody and Harmony: R&B melodies often include intricate runs and embellishments. Harmony plays a significant role, with layered backing vocals adding depth to the music.
Rhythmic Complexity: Syncopation and groove are key features. R&B often involves a blend of straightforward and complex rhythms, requiring precise timing and feel.
Emotional Expression: Lyrics often deal with themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth, demanding vulnerability and authenticity from the performer.
Vocal Qualities
Warm Tone: R&B places a premium on a smooth, resonant vocal quality. This often involves a rich chest voice and controlled use of falsetto or head voice. Improving your voice’s tone can be an entire focus for singers, so please explore how this could help you.
Versatility: The ability to switch between different vocal registers seamlessly is essential.
Control and Agility: Mastering vocal runs and maintaining clarity and accuracy is crucial for embellishments typical of R&B.
Head vs Chest voice for R&B
R&B singers often rely on the mixed voice—a blend of chest and head voice—to achieve a powerful yet controlled sound.
This technique requires robust breath support and precise vocal cord closure. Understanding the mechanics of phonation and resonance can enhance an R&B singer’s ability to deliver expressive performances.
Essential Vocal Techniques for R&B
The human voice is a unique instrument, and understanding its mechanics is crucial for healthy singing. The vocal folds (or cords), located in the larynx, vibrate to produce sound when air passes through them. The pitch and quality of sound are modulated by the length, tension, and mass of the vocal folds.
In R&B, where singers often utilize complex melismas and dynamic phrases, precise pitch control ensures that vocal embellishments enhance rather than detract from the song’s emotional impact. For singers, mastering pitch allows you to execute runs smoothly, blend harmoniously, and sustain notes with confidence.
While technical accuracy is vital, connecting emotionally with the material can also aid in achieving pitch control. When a singer is emotionally immersed in a performance, their focus on the song’s expressive qualities often enhances their natural intonation.
Popular Methods for R&B Singing
Speech Level Singing
Developed by Seth Riggs, this technique emphasizes maintaining the same speech-related ease while singing. It particularly aids in smoothing transitions between vocal registers, essential for executing R&B runs.
Breath Control
Diaphragmatic Breathing: Essential for sustaining long phrases and powerful dynamics. Practice exercises that focus on expanding the diaphragm rather than shallow chest breathing.
Appoggio Technique: A balanced approach between support and relaxation, helping to control the breath flow for smoother transitions and dynamic variation.
Vocal Runs and Riffs
Interval Training: Use scales and arpeggios to develop agility. Start slowly with a metronome and gradually increase speed.
Mimicry and Variation: Listen to classic R&B recordings and try to replicate the runs. Once comfortable, improvise and create variations to develop your style.
Register Coordination
Mixed Voice Development: Practice vocal exercises to balance the chest and head voices, creating a seamless mix. This is crucial for the signature sound in R&B.
Falsetto Control: Work on strengthening and smoothing the falsetto register for those higher, expressive moments often found in R&B ballads.
Emotional and Interpretative Skills
Connection to Lyrics
Storytelling: Engage with the narrative of the song. Understanding the lyrics and the emotion behind them is vital to authentic R&B performances.
Emotional Memory: Utilize your personal experiences to bring deeper emotion to your singing, making it relatable and heartfelt.
Dynamic Variation
Volume Control: Practice soft and loud singing to add drama and interest. R&B often relies on subtlety and power in delivery.
Phrasing: Experiment with elongating or shortening phrases and strategic pauses to heighten emotional impact.
Lower Notes: When it comes to singing lower notes, in R&B, singers should consider the song and their own voice strength.
Health and Maintenance of the R&B Voice
Vocal Health Tips
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to keep the vocal cords lubricated, aiding in flexibility and reducing the risk of strain.
Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs: Begin with gentle easy vocal exercises such as humming and lip trills before singing, and follow with relaxation exercises post-practice.
Physical stretches for body and voice: Healthy singing involves maintaining a relaxed posture, avoiding unnecessary tension, and engaging proper breath support to reduce strain on the vocal folds. Explore how stretching and stretch exercises can improve your singing and your life.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Singing R&B
Over-Singing: Be mindful of not pushing your voice beyond its limits, which can lead to fatigue or injury.
Lifestyle Considerations: Rest, proper nutrition, and avoiding vocally taxing environments (like smoky or noisy places) are essential for maintaining vocal health.
Modern Tools and Resources
Technology in Practice
Apps and Software: Utilize ear training, vocal warm-up apps, and recording software to enhance practice sessions. There are many apps for learning to sing and many more that will help you sing better, master new techniques, and improve your voice strength.
Online Tutorials and Masterclasses: Platforms such as YouTube and MasterClass can provide access to stylistic insights from established artists.
Community and Feedback
Workshops and Jams: Participate in local music communities or R&B workshops to gain confidence and receive constructive feedback.
Recording and Self-Assessment: Regularly record your practice sessions to self-critique and track progress over time.
Next steps for you, learning to sing R&B is a journey
Mastering R&B singing is a journey that requires dedication, open-mindedness, and a passion for personal expression.
By integrating technical proficiency with emotional depth, you can capture the spirit of R&B and create performances that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
With consistent practice and a willingness to explore and innovate, you can develop a unique voice within this dynamic and beloved genre.
Aspiring singers are encouraged to explore further resources, seek guidance from vocal coaches, and most importantly, enjoy the process of discovering their unique voice within the R&B genre.