Always a treat to see to hear the magnificent Stevie Wonder. And it's also a treat to watch your joyful reactions while providing knowledgeable insights as to how the masters deploy their vocal abilities.
Stevie's masterful breath control and lung capacity are key to his singing. Of course his voice is as nimble as his fingers on the keyboard...but he can hit high notes not many others can touch (except perhaps Sting), he hand hold a note forever with or without vibrato, and he can sing low notes without going flat. There's a great video of him on Sesame Street demonstrating loud/soft, high/low, slow/fast, etc. His breath also helps him be a tremendous harmonica player. Along with Larry Adler, one of the few true masters of the chromatic harmonica (the button on the side opens and closes valves to all the sharp and flat notes, unlike the diatonic harmonica used for folk/blues). His fine harmonica work is also featured on Chaka Khan's version of Prince's "I Feel For You" and Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues".
Stevie's breath control is best exemplified in his 1976 song, "Summer Soft." The constant key modulations at the end can only be done by someone with a tremendous about of breath control, range and dynamic sense.
What makes Stevie the greatest popular musician of the XX, is the fact that some people know him as a vocalist, others know him as a multi-imstrumentalist and holder of the unique energy due to his live concerts, others are aware of his innovative iconic albums from 70s, and what's more, he has been socially and politically influential
Tears! Love that song & love to play it. Most people don’t know that the bassist, who you can see playing upright (behind Sting), is the great Christian McBride, who is among the best in the world today. Stevie’s harmonica playing also has a vocal quality to it, which makes his style very personal. At a Jazzfest in Europe, I got to hear Isaac Hayes do his own rendition, with reharmonized chords & stuff, but this one with Stevie was a tour de force no doubt. Wonderful reaction (analysis). 👍
If you notice he plays the harmonica with the same control he uses with his singing. I love that Sting just told the other musicians hey just let him go.
One of my top 10 'go to" songs! (Listened this morning while coffee brewed). I'm not trained in music but intrinsically absorb the talent. Stevie the Wonder!
I love reading reactions to Stevies technique! I'd say he also heavily incorporates singing in the mask, but not to the point the it's SO forward that it can't travel but not so far back that his voice sounds swallowed It's interesting because I think for his placement he just might sacrifice some of his natural tone, but WHO AM I? He's got it placed so perfectly that he's honestly known for it. Also listen to his "E" vowel. While he's singing the first verse I feel like he's finding his placement and making sure his voice doesn't fall too far back or too forward, hence that REAL cool sound on I think the lyric is "angRY star" at 1:52 (Perfectly locked in his mix) and the end of the phrase he says how "Fragile we ahhhre" Keeping it light and lifted and not far back emphasizing the letter "r" At the end where he's gearing up to the silly tessitura of the song I think he's honestly using all of his support all the way down to his (bathroom muscles) which allows him NOT to grab on any of those words up there in turn which would collapse his soft palate, in turn which allows him to not move his mouth too much. what a voice
I grew up with one of his I'm speaking of Steve her name was Yvonne Wright she passed a few years I met Stevie when he was a teenager about 17 years of age I am older than him by 8 months by 8 months he is now 72 years of age
How about reacting to We Are the World (the original, for Africa)? It features Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and many more of the greatest singers of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Great suggestion! I've been thinking about this one, too. There was such diversity of singers back then. So many different genres were considered popular music. And it wasn't just the teen market as it is now. There were singer in all ages up into their 40's & 50's and beyond in that video.
Stevie Wonder is a phenomenon, extraordinary.
The smile on the Teacher's face at the 4:00 mark says it all. Stevie is a INCOMPARABLE!!
Always a treat to see to hear the magnificent Stevie Wonder. And it's also a treat to watch your joyful reactions while providing knowledgeable insights as to how the masters deploy their vocal abilities.
Thank you!
my God Stevie is a gift from you and thank you for this Wonder
Stevie's masterful breath control and lung capacity are key to his singing. Of course his voice is as nimble as his fingers on the keyboard...but he can hit high notes not many others can touch (except perhaps Sting), he hand hold a note forever with or without vibrato, and he can sing low notes without going flat. There's a great video of him on Sesame Street demonstrating loud/soft, high/low, slow/fast, etc. His breath also helps him be a tremendous harmonica player. Along with Larry Adler, one of the few true masters of the chromatic harmonica (the button on the side opens and closes valves to all the sharp and flat notes, unlike the diatonic harmonica used for folk/blues). His fine harmonica work is also featured on Chaka Khan's version of Prince's "I Feel For You" and Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues".
Stevie's breath control is best exemplified in his 1976 song, "Summer Soft." The constant key modulations at the end can only be done by someone with a tremendous about of breath control, range and dynamic sense.
@@matthewallen1834❤I love the way he sings 'Overjoyed.'
@@barbarachieppo9603me too
Two legends! And one of Sting's best songs, in my opinion.
I totally agree. It's definitely a classic. Stevie agrees, too. :)
What makes Stevie the greatest popular musician of the XX, is the fact that some people know him as a vocalist, others know him as a multi-imstrumentalist and holder of the unique energy due to his live concerts, others are aware of his innovative iconic albums from 70s, and what's more, he has been socially and politically influential
I'm crying
Tears! Love that song & love to play it. Most people don’t know that the bassist, who you can see playing upright (behind Sting), is the great Christian McBride, who is among the best in the world today. Stevie’s harmonica playing also has a vocal quality to it, which makes his style very personal. At a Jazzfest in Europe, I got to hear Isaac Hayes do his own rendition, with reharmonized chords & stuff, but this one with Stevie was a tour de force no doubt. Wonderful reaction (analysis). 👍
If you notice he plays the harmonica with the same control he uses with his singing. I love that Sting just told the other musicians hey just let him go.
I love it, too!
One of my top 10 'go to" songs! (Listened this morning while coffee brewed). I'm not trained in music but intrinsically absorb the talent. Stevie the Wonder!
Fun Day by Stevie Wonder
Master Blaster, indeed
I enjoyed that very much Valerie, thank you girl..
Thank you, Jim!
I love reading reactions to Stevies technique! I'd say he also heavily incorporates singing in the mask, but not to the point the it's SO forward that it can't travel but not so far back that his voice sounds swallowed It's interesting because I think for his placement he just might sacrifice some of his natural tone, but WHO AM I? He's got it placed so perfectly that he's honestly known for it. Also listen to his "E" vowel. While he's singing the first verse I feel like he's finding his placement and making sure his voice doesn't fall too far back or too forward, hence that REAL cool sound on I think the lyric is "angRY star" at 1:52 (Perfectly locked in his mix) and the end of the phrase he says how "Fragile we ahhhre" Keeping it light and lifted and not far back emphasizing the letter "r"
At the end where he's gearing up to the silly tessitura of the song I think he's honestly using all of his support all the way down to his (bathroom muscles) which allows him NOT to grab on any of those words up there in turn which would collapse his soft palate, in turn which allows him to not move his mouth too much. what a voice
Thanks for sharing. I totally agree.
It always makes me laugh when people attempt to analyze Stevie's gift. Yes, GIFT!
❤❤❤❤
New subscriber, your awesome. Much love uk.
tell me who else can rip this riff 4:10 to shreds like this man just done
I grew up with one of his I'm speaking of Steve her name was Yvonne Wright she passed a few years I met Stevie when he was a teenager about 17 years of age I am older than him by 8 months by 8 months he is now 72 years of age
PS Steve had an operation when he was a teenager on his sometimes singers have a throat operation I don't know about singers today
How about reacting to We Are the World (the original, for Africa)? It features Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and many more of the greatest singers of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Great suggestion! I've been thinking about this one, too. There was such diversity of singers back then. So many different genres were considered popular music. And it wasn't just the teen market as it is now. There were singer in all ages up into their 40's & 50's and beyond in that video.