How to Sing Like Sam Smith

“.…but when you call me baby…  

I know I’m not the only one” … that wants to sing like Sam Smith.

It’s true:

A lot of people adore Sam for his vocal dexterity. Sam Smith is a Light-Lyric Tenor Range vocalist and a wonderful one at that. 

Simply put

He combines the best of almost everything.

And the good thing?

Anyone and everyone can sing like him and I am here to show you how to sing like Sam Smith.

Learn the Techniques To Sing Like Sam Smith

  1. The Belting Technique

Belting is a singing technique that simply means singing notes that are in your “head voice range” using the power of your “chest voice”.

Here are some of the top belting technique tips:

  • When belting, remember to keep your mouth open. This will give the notes a smooth passage. Also, keep your tongue downward in your mouth.
  • Sing with your chest voice to allow a more comfortable and clear singing than your head voice. If you use your breath well, you will find that your voice grows stronger and has more depth to it.
  • Don’t move too far from your comfortable range.

Common Belting Mistakes

  • Are You Slouching?

When your body slouches, you make it harder for your notes to hit the spot. 

As if that’s not bad enough, it also puts strain on your throat. Belting, especially, is impossible if you’re slouched so stand upright.

  • Is Your Body Relaxed?

Since belting puts such a strain on your vocal cords, your body has to lend it support. This is why you must relax your muscles.

  1. The Diaphragm Positioning Technique

Do you know what your diaphragm is?

It’s a muscle located in the middle of your chest. With each breath you take in and let out, that muscle gets larger and smaller.

Why do you have to sing from your diaphragm?

Well, singing from your diaphragm helps with breath control.

You know:

When you sing from that muscle, you have the best control of the air that is passed to your vocal cords.

What does this mean for you?

In simple words, you’ll be able to give more strength to each note you sing. If you successfully learn how to sing from your diaphragm, your next step should be practice to lead to perfection.

By now, you should be asking:

How can I know if I’m singing from my diaphragm or my chest? 

Well, I have an answer for you!

If you’re singing and find that your shoulders are moving, you’re singing from your chest.

On the other hand:

If you’re singing and find that your stomach is moving, you’re singing from your diaphragm.

Read Also: How To Sing Like Drake

Tips to Help You Sing From Your Diaphragm

  • Stand tall and keep your shoulders down.
  • Exhale and then breathe in until your lungs are filled.
  • Sing a note such as “ahhh” or “ohhh”
  1. The Falsetto Technique

Literally, falsetto means false voice. Think of singing high notes but in a breathy voice. It is quite similar to “head voice”.

Sam Smith frequently switches up to falsetto.

Best of all:

He has managed to master the technique and make a name for himself off it.

Here are some helpful tips to help you sing in falsetto and master it just as Sam Smith has:

  • Carry out breathing exercises and warm up your vocals
  • Stand straight and with a suitable posture. Pull up your chin and face
  • Tilt your head slightly so you can pull your vocal cords so they are thinner and longer
  • Remember that the vocal cords do not come together fully
  • Let out a note.

Switching it Up

In addition to knowing how to sing wonderfully in his head voice, chest voice, and falsetto, Sam Smith switches between this trio with beautiful ease.

Now:

Here are some tips to help you do the same:

  • Ensure that you have fully learned to sing in your head voice, chest voice, and falsetto.
  • Listen to Sam Smith’s voice in songs like “Money on my Mind”
  • Attempt switching between your head voice, chest voice, and falsetto.

The aim is to do it seamlessly while making it look natural.

Vocal Warm-Up

Warming up your voice is compulsory.

Think about it:

Your vocal cords need preparation for the coming strain. Here are some warm-up techniques:

  • Yawn sigh technique: Take in the air as with a yawn, close your mouth, and exhale through your nose. This will relax your voice, increase your voice’s range, and help you belt like Sam Smith.
  • Humming warm-up technique: Close your mouth, place the edge of your tongue behind your bottom front teeth. Next, hum up and down the major scale. This will relax your voice for falsetto.
  • Vocal slides exercise: This is also called portamento. With this warm-up, you slide from one note to another in your voice range. 

However:

You should not sing between the notes. This will help you switch it up seamlessly.

Light-Lyric Tenor Singing Tips

If you’re a light-lyric tenor singer, here are some tips to help you sound like Sam Smith:

  • Do not overeat. This can make singing difficult.
  • Avoid taking alcohol just before singing. Why you should is because it dries out and exposes the larynx and the vocal cords to injury.
  • Make warm water your best pal as it eases pain and protects your throat from damage.
  • Workout regularly.

Conclusion

Sam Smith is a music prodigy with a voice to be envied.

But wait, let me tell you something:

It is nice to love Sam Smith’s voice but remember that you wouldn’t love him if he didn’t perfect his voice.

Learn his techniques, but if you want to make it as a singer, you need to learn to sing like a professional version of yourself.