Soul

Soul

1. Sound/quality of vocal

   • Breathy tones can be used to convey a difference between the verses and chorus, whether it is a change of emotion or to keep a flowing dynamic.
     • "Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart" - Dusty Springfield (0:00-0:42) (Disc 1, Track 2)
   • Clear vocals that sound clean and smooth.
     • "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye (Disc 1, Track 3)
   • Husky rumbles to add tone and character to the vocal.
     • "Superstition" - Stevie Wonder (1:16-1:20) (Disc 1, Track 4)
   • Powerful tone that cuts through other parts using a speech/twang setup and faux belt.
     • "Something's Got A Hold On Me" - Etta James (0:00-0:34) (Disc 1, Track 5)

2. Rhythm and phrasing of lyric and melody

   • Vocals sing parts that are then responded to by the other instruments.
     • "I Feel Good" - James Brown (0:15-0:21) (Disc 1, Track 8)
   • Vocals do not always come in on the first beat of the bar, leaving a pause to then begin singing.
     • "Respect" - Aretha Franklin (Disc 1, Track 1)
   • There are pushes in the vocal rhtyhm to keep it moving.
     • "Heard It Through The Grapevine" - Marvin Gaye (0:20-0:38) (Dsic 1, Track 9)
   • Lyrics can have punchy phrasing to convey their message. From the song example by Tina Turner, the lyrics inbetween 0:15-0:58 talk about her love leaving her, and her desperation to keep him. The lyrics are delivered in a forward and aggressive way, so even though she is pleading with him to stay, she still sounds strong.
     • "Be Tender With Me Baby" - Tina Turner (Disc 1, Track 10)
   • Notes can be lengthened at parts, which allows the music to change and progress underneath the held note.
     • "At Last" - Etta James (1:00-1:05) (Disc 1, Track 7)
   • The rhythm of the melody can be experimented with during the song, which allows for a different feel, whether speeding up or slowing down.
     • "He Made A Woman Out Of Me" - Bobbie Gentry (1:33-1:42) (Disc 1, Track 6)

3. Use of dynamics

   • Dynamics can be kept calm and laid back for an intimate sound.
     • "Not Over You Yet" - Diana Ross (Disc 1, Track 11)
   • Dynamics build up into a chorus to express passion.
     • "Whatever You Want" - Tina Turner (0:30-1:43) (Disc 1, Track 12)
   • Main vocal can produce louder dynamics over the backing vocals. This can be used as a way of building conversation between the main and backing vocals, and also highlights who is at the forefront of the group.
     • "Hit The Road Jack" - Ray Charles (0:40-0:51) (Disc 1, Track 13)

4. Techniques and stylistics utilised when improvising

   • Melisma is used for improvisation to add a variation from what has been previously sung. It is common to find these at the end of phrases or to close a song.
     • "If I Ain't Got You" - Alicia Keys (3;13-3:38) (Disc 1, Track 14)
   • Support is vital for improvising in this style, so as to keep the notes clean and smooth when switching vocal qualities fast .
     • "I Get The Sweetest Feeling" - Jackie Wilson (2:37-2:53) (Disc 1, Track 15)
   • Repeats of the vocals used earlier in the song can be used to improvise round and expand in ideas and range.
     • "Respect" - Aretha Franklin (1:49-2:24) (Disc 1,Track 1)