Mastering the Smooth Soul Ballad
"Try a Piece of My Love" by Wild Cherry is often overshadowed by their massive hit "Play That Funky Music," but vocally, it offers a different challenge. Released on their self-titled debut album in 1976, this track requires a shift from aggressive funk to smooth, emotive storytelling. It demands legato phrasing and a mastery of the mix voice.
To sing this authentically, you need to channel the soulful style of the mid-70s. The vocal delivery should be relaxed, yet precise in pitch. Let's break down the key areas you need to focus on to get a high score.
AI Coach Tip: Behind the Beat
In Funk and Soul ballads, rushing the tempo kills the vibe. Our analysis shows high-scoring users tend to sing slightly "behind the beat" (layback), giving the performance a relaxed, confident feel.
Phase 1: The Verses (Chest Voice Control)
The verses sit in a comfortable mid-range for Tenors. The key here is tone color. You want a warm, resonant chest voice. Avoid singing too nasally or too brightly.
The Trap: Because the tempo is slow, singers often run out of breath before the phrase ends. Ensure you are taking deep, diaphragmatic breaths during the rests to sustain the smooth, long notes required for lines like "I've been watching you."
Phase 2: The Chorus (Dynamic Lift)
The energy lifts in the chorus. The title line, "Try a piece of my love," requires a dynamic swell. You shouldn't shout it, but you need to increase the intensity.
- Phrasing: Connect the words. Do not chop the sentence up. It should flow like one long ribbon of sound.
- Vowels: Modify your vowels to be taller (drop the jaw) rather than wider. This helps maintain the soulful resonance without straining the throat.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Ad-libs (Falsetto)
Towards the latter half of the song, Wild Cherry introduces higher ad-libs and falsetto flourishes. This is common in 70s soul. The transition needs to be seamless.
When hitting the higher notes, think of the sound going "up and over" to access your head voice cleanly. If you push your chest voice too high here, the smooth vibe will be ruined by a strained, "yelling" quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest sustained chest notes sit around A4, but the ad-libs and harmonies can reach up into the tenor high C (C5) and falsetto range.
It is moderately difficult. The melody is not extremely fast, which is good for beginners, but the requirement for sustain and breath control makes it a great workout for intermediate singers.
Focus on "runs" and "turns." Don't just hit the note straight on; sliding into notes from slightly below (scooping) is stylistically appropriate here, provided it is done with control.
