I’m Kristal Cherelle, professional R&B vocal coach and founder of Indie Artist School, and today I’m giving you 9 R&B singing techniques that will make your voice more dynamic, expressive, and unique.
Before diving in, let’s talk about the foundation you NEED:
✅ Breath support – You must know how to breathe from your diaphragm.
✅ Pitch accuracy – These tricks won’t sound polished if you struggle with pitch.
✅ Resonance control – Understanding where to place your sound is crucial.
1. Vocal Trills – Add Texture and Style
A vocal trill is a quick oscillation between two notes. This technique is commonly heard in R&B, soul, and gospel.
How to do it:
- Pick two notes close together.
- Rapidly alternate between them.
- Try adding a trill at the beginning or end of a run.
2. Falsetto & Whistle Register – Beautiful High Notes
Both falsetto and whistle register add delicate and ethereal tones to your singing.
- Falsetto: Airy, light, breathy tone resonating near your nose.
- Whistle Register: A tiny opening in your vocal cords produces the sound. Think Mariah Carey or Minnie Riperton!
3. Vocal Flip – The Vibey Shift
A vocal flip happens when you suddenly switch from full voice to falsetto. Great for emotional, vibey R&B vocals.
4. Riffs & Runs – The Signature R&B Sound
Riffs and runs are essential for R&B singers! They follow major, minor, or pentatonic scales, but the key is agility.
5. The Long Belt – Power & Control
Long belts capture attention and add drama to a song. Think Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’.
6. Crescendo & Decrescendo – Dynamic Contrast
- Crescendo: Start soft and gradually get louder.
- Decrescendo: Start loud and gradually soften.
7. Growls – Grit & Soul
A controlled growl can add soulful grit to your voice. Think Christina Aguilera or Jazmine Sullivan. Start with a gentle vocal fry and add a bit of air resistance for grit. NEVER force it — if your throat hurts, STOP.
8. Whispering – Smooth, Soft, & Intimate
Adding a whispery tone can make a phrase feel more intimate and emotional. Let more air flow through your vocal cords and contrast whispering with stronger dynamics.
9. Talking – Conversational Singing
Sometimes, breaking into spoken words over the music adds authenticity and character. Usher, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Brandy, and Summer Walker often mix talking with singing for emotional impact.
1:1 Live R&B Vocal Coaching
Looking for personalized guidance? Kristal Cherelle’s R&B Singing Success System offers vocal diagnosis, custom exercises, progress tracking, and 24 Live Zoom Sessions.
Apply now for 1:1 coaching at Indie Artist School
Online Singing Course: The R&B Singer’s Arsenal
For self-paced learning, check out The R&B Singer’s Arsenal.