Becoming a successful R&B singer takes more than just vocal talent—it requires a combination of skill, artistry, and confidence. But most importantly, it requires discipline and passion to reach your goals. Vox Singing Academy’s most important value is to give the greatest singing tuition. You can count on VSA’s passionate teachers to give you the best guidance on your vocal journey to be the best singer you can. Whether the goal is to reach the heights of Rihanna. Or just to not feel so awkward next karaoke night.
If you are a lover of RnB and soul music, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the broad range of skills you hear your favourite artists using. In this blog, we will outline the most essential aspects and skills to be the greatest soul singer you can. Outlining what they are and how you can begin to improve these skills.
From controlling your breath and mastering dynamics, to refining stage presence and songwriting, there are many components to being a well-rounded vocalist. Artists like Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Jason Derulo have not only honed their voices but also developed their performance and songwriting abilities to connect deeply with their audiences. In this blog, we will dive into the essential skills every aspiring R&B and Soul singer should focus on; including breath control, dynamic volumes, crying technique, trills, stage presence, and songwriting. With advice straight from the experts at Vox Singing Academy. We will dive into how you can start improving right now and discuss how with lessons you can unlock your full potential as an R&B and Soul singer.
Breath Control: The Foundation of Your Vocal Power
Breath control is at the core of any great vocal performance, and in R&B and Soul, it is indispensable. These genres are known for their sustained notes, smooth transitions, and intricate runs, all of which require precise control over your breath. Singers like Mariah Carey and Jason Derulo exhibit remarkable breath control, allowing them to deliver powerful and smooth performances without strain.
Effective breath control allows you to support your voice, maintain pitch, and sing long phrases without running out of air. To develop this skill, you need to practice diaphragmatic breathing. Diaphragmatic breathing involves engaging the diaphragm—your body’s natural breathing muscle—rather than shallow breaths from the chest. Vox Singing Academy offers specialised singing lessons focused on helping vocalists develop this critical skill through practical exercises and personalised coaching.
To feel this muscle in action now, put your hand on your stomach. Now shout “Yeah!” I bet your first attempt wasn’t very loud. Do it again so someone can hear you from across a street. Your body will naturally use your diaphragm to project your voice and get louder. Now go sing a song and keep your hand on your belly. Feel these muscles working alongside how loud you are.
Justin Time working on a Back Street Boys song in class with his student
Dynamic Volumes: Expressive Power in Every Note
Mastering dynamic volumes is another essential technique for an aspiring R&B and Soul singer. Dynamics refer to the control of loudness and softness in your singing. Both R&B and Soul is an emotionally expressive genre, often moving between quiet, vulnerable moments and explosive, passionate peaks. Singers like Beyoncé and Rihanna are known for their ability to control dynamics, making each note feel meaningful and engaging.
To achieve this, you need to practice controlling the intensity of your voice at different volumes. It’s not just about singing loud or soft, but about finding the nuances between those extremes. Dynamic control allows you to express emotion effectively, making your performance more compelling. Singing lessons at Vox Singing Academy can help you master dynamics through targeted vocal exercises designed to expand your dynamic range and improve control at any volume.
To get started now pick a comfortable line from a song you know. Try to sing that same line quietly, then around your speaking volume, then firm with some projection. It’s best to start within the middle of your range.
Crying Technique: Conveying Emotion Through Your Voice
The crying technique is a popular method used by many R&B and Soul singers to convey deep emotion, have a soothing tone and hit soaring notes. This technique mimics the sound of a voice breaking or cracking, similar to what happens when someone is on the verge of tears. It adds raw emotion to your performance, making your delivery more authentic and relatable. Artists like Jessica Mauboy and Destiny’s Child often use the crying technique to great effect, imbuing their songs with intense vulnerability.
To practice this technique, focus on softening your vocal tone and placing the sound in between your ears. This technique creates a more intimate connection with your listeners, drawing them deeper into the emotional world of your song. Vox Singing Academy offers lessons that teach aspiring singers how to use the crying technique effectively without damaging their vocal cords.
Stage Presence and Confidence: Captivating Your Audience
Stage presence and confidence are as crucial as vocal technique when it comes to live performances. R&B singers like Beyoncé and Jason Derulo exude confidence, captivating their audiences not just with their voices but with their powerful stage presence. This charisma is developed through practice and experience, which is why aspiring singers need to focus on performing regularly. Vox Singing Academy not only helps you develop your voice but also offers opportunities to enhance your stage presence through regular student concerts. These concerts provide a safe and supportive environment where you can gain experience performing in front of an audience. Additionally, Vox Singing Academy encourages students to participate in open mics, busking, and gigs at festivals to further build confidence and experience in live settings. By getting out of your comfort zone and stepping onto the stage, you’ll grow into a well-rounded and confident performer.
To get started, look for live performances from your favourite artists and pay attention to their body language and facial expressions. Additionally, watching public speakers tell a story is a great way to get inspired. After go have a sing in front of the mirror and try to tell a story with your voice, body and face.
VSA student performing at a student concert
Trills: Adding Flair to Your Melodys
Trills are another hallmark of great R&B and Soul singers. They are fast alternations between two notes, creating a fluttering or wavering sound that adds texture and flair to your performance. Trills require agility and control, making them a challenging yet rewarding skill to master. Singers like Ariana Grande and Mariah Carey are known for their impressive vocal runs, which often incorporate trills to add complexity to their melodies.
To develop this skill, it’s important to practice vocal agility exercises that focus on quickly and smoothly moving between notes. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you gain confidence and control. With the guidance of professional vocal coach at Vox Singing Academy, you can master trills and other vocal runs, enhancing your overall vocal performance and adding a unique flair to your singing.
When you hear a trill you like, pause the music and give it a try. If it’s too fast you can always slow it down on YouTube to get a better idea of the notes. Start singing it slowly and then gradually speed it up.
The Importance of Pitch Control: Perfecting Your Tonal Accuracy
No matter how expressive or dynamic your voice is, maintaining accurate pitch is critical for any singer. Pitch control allows you to hit the right notes consistently and stay in tune throughout your performance. However, R&B and Soul often features complex, a-tonal chords that require a heightened level of pitch control. Singers like Alicia Keys, Meghan Trainor, and the Backstreet Boys navigate these complex harmonies with skill, making their performances stand out.
Pitch control requires a strong ear for music and disciplined practice. Singing in tune with complex harmonies means you need to not only hit the right note but also blend seamlessly with the accompanying chords, even when they’re unconventional. This is where professional guidance from Vox Singing Academy can be incredibly valuable. Their singing lessons help singers improve their pitch accuracy and confidently navigate a-tonal melodies common in R&B and Soul music.
Every singer should record themselves at least once a week doing a song and some vocal exercise. It is very difficult to self-critique yourself accurately, while you are doing something. It is why every pro athlete not only use a coach as a second pair of eyes but also film themselves to see their technique. Listen to yourself so you can pick out the pitch imperfections and fix them.
Songwriting: Crafting Your Unique Voice
Songwriting is a vital skill for any artist, allowing you to express your personal experiences and emotions through your music. Writing your own songs gives you the creative freedom to develop a unique sound and message that resonates with listeners. Singers like Alicia Keys and Ne-Yo are known for their exceptional songwriting, blending heartfelt lyrics with compelling melodies that showcase their vocal talents. At Vox Singing Academy, students are encouraged to explore their creativity and learn the art of songwriting. The academy’s experienced vocal coaches provide guidance on melody creation, lyrical composition, and song structure, helping you to find your voice not only as a singer but also as a songwriter. Whether you’re working on original music or learning how to put your own spin on classic R&B and Soul songs, songwriting allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper, more personal level.
Student duet at a recent concert
Learning Keys or Guitar: A Key to Unlocking Your Songwriting Potential
To enhance your songwriting and create more dynamic harmonies, learning the basics of an instrument like the keyboard or guitar is highly recommended. Mastering even the fundamentals of these instruments can provide a strong foundation for your music composition. Virtualy every song you hear be it a Pop hit or a Soul classic started on either a guitar or keyboard. Understanding chord progressions and basic music theory helps you craft better songs, experiment with different tonalities, and develop harmonies that complement your vocal style. Vox Singing Academy encourages its students to broaden their musical skill set by incorporating instrument training alongside vocal lessons, empowering you to become a more versatile artist and songwriter. Whether you choose keys or guitar, these skills will not only improve your songwriting but also elevate your overall musicianship.
8 Skills Every R&B / Soul Singer Need
–Breath Control
–Dynamic Volumes
–Crying Technique
–Stage Presence and Confidence
–Trills
–Pitch Control
–Songwriting
–Learning Keys or Guitar
Conclusion:
Mastering the essential skills of breath control, dynamics, trills, and tonality techniques like crying is critical to becoming a successful R&B or Soul singer. But to truly stand out, you must also cultivate your stage presence, develop confidence through performance, and hone your songwriting abilities. Learning the basics of instruments like the keyboard or guitar can further enhance your songwriting and give you a deeper understanding of harmonies. At Vox Singing Academy, you’ll find the support you need through singing lessons, student concerts, and performance opportunities at open mics and festivals. Whether you’re looking to improve your voice, build confidence on stage, or refine your songwriting craft, Vox Singing Academy provides the tools and guidance necessary to grow into a complete, dynamic artist. Take the next step in your musical journey and let Vox Singing Academy help you turn your passion into a career.
Professionals go to Vox and you can too!
VSA caters to beginners to professionals, children to seniors teaching all styles of modern singing.
Here at Vox Singing Academy, we would love to help you on your singing journey, we offer private in-studio lessons at our numerous Melbourne locations and online singing lessons worldwide starting from $50!
So, contact us if you want to have fun developing the voice you’ve always wanted!
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This service is perfect for:
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*School, Tafe or University lectures or workshops
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For bookings & pricing please ring 042 2278 289 or email contact@voxsingingacademy.com
His students are known to travel from interstate and overseas to utilise his wealth of knowledge and experience and now you can too!
• Full Access to Peter Vox’s entire arsenal of 5000+ vocal scales, expertise experience and knowledge on all subject matter.
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Total duration of all 4 courses – 16 hours 24 minutes
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Topics that can be covered in workshops
Correct vocal warmups & cool downs
Correct diaphragmatic breathing techniques
*Pitch and ear training
*Personally recorded and customised scales workout
*Microphone technique, stage presentation and crowd interaction.
*Songwriting and/or preproduction of songs
*Vocal care and health
*Anatomy and how the voice works
*Vocal coaching for extended periods of touring, performing and recording.
*Harmonies
*Vocal health & general fitness
*Question and answer session
Classes are 4 or 8 hour sessions between 11 am to 7 pm weekdays and 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday or Sundays. For prices please click here!
For prices and bookings please click here!
So what are you waiting for? Let VSA give you the voice you've always wanted!
The event is held on Sundays generally starting at 1 pm at a venue specified by your teacher. Food and drinks are available. Family, friends and the public are welcome.
Prizes, giveaways, Vox Singing Academy gift vouchers and merchandise will be given away at the end of all concerts.
Key advantages with online singing lessons.
Save time & money.
Flexible times worldwide 7 days a week.
* Record your entire singing lesson on video for future reference.
* Have lessons where and when you want!
* In class you have to stand directly in front of camera. This is a HUGE key advantage over in studio lessons as the teacher can see you closely & monitor you’re breathing & mouth placements for correct articulation, pronunciation & diction.
* All student can clearly hear & see the teachers demonstrations as teacher is mostly directly in front of their camera.
For prices please click here!
Key advantages with online singing lessons. Consistent practice is the key to improvement!
Save time & money.
Flexible times worldwide 7 days a week.
* Record your entire singing lesson on video for future reference.
* Have lessons where and when you want!
* You have to stand directly in front of camera. This is a HUGE key advantage over in studio lessons as the teacher can closely
monitor you’re breathing & mouth placements for correct articulation, pronunciation & diction.
* All student can clearly hear & see the teachers demonstrations as teacher sits directly in front of their camera.
* Perfect if you are travelling, live in a remote area or have transport or mobility issues.
So what are you waiting for? Let VSA give you the voice you've always wanted!
