Singer vs. Crooner — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
A singer performs a wide variety of musical styles; a crooner specifically employs a smooth, mellow singing style, often with an emotional or sentimental delivery.
Difference Between Singer and Crooner
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Key Differences
A singer is a general term for anyone who sings, encompassing a range of styles and genres. On the other hand, a crooner is more specific, known for their soft, smooth vocal style that typically emphasizes emotional expression.
Singers can be involved in various musical forms, from classical opera to modern pop. Whereas crooners are most often associated with jazz and pop standards, particularly from the mid-20th century.
The technique of singing can vary greatly among singers, including powerful, belting vocals or intricate operatic arias. Crooners, however, generally utilize a more controlled, soothing tone that often incorporates a lower volume and clear enunciation.
Singers may aim for a broad audience appeal, adapting their voice to fit different musical styles and trends. Conversely, crooners often maintain a nostalgic appeal, channeling a vintage sound that resonates with listeners who appreciate classic melodies and lyrical sentimentality.
Performance venues for singers are diverse, ranging from large arenas to intimate settings. Crooners typically thrive in more intimate venues like nightclubs or lounge settings, which suit their style of engaging closely with the audience.
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Comparison Chart
Style
Varied, depends on genre
Smooth, soft, often slow-paced
Vocal Technique
Can include belting, vibrato, falsetto
Emphasizes clear enunciation, low volume
Typical Genres
Pop, rock, opera, country, etc.
Jazz, classic pop standards
Audience
Broad, varies with musical style
Often older or fans of vintage music
Venue Types
Concert halls, stadiums, theaters
Nightclubs, lounges, intimate settings
Compare with Definitions
Singer
A singer who performs alone.
The soloist sang the national anthem at the game.
Crooner
A crooner who performs in a lounge or bar setting.
The lounge singer's voice added to the cozy ambiance.
Singer
A person who sings.
The vocalist led the band with incredible energy.
Crooner
A crooner known for singing older, classic songs.
The vintage vocalist revived hits from the 1940s.
Singer
A singer who entertains an audience.
The performer captivated everyone with her singing.
Crooner
A crooner who performs songs to soothe or romance others.
The serenader by the moonlight drew a crowd.
Singer
A singer who records music for distribution.
The recording artist released a new album this year.
Crooner
A crooner who sings romantic songs.
The balladeer's voice melted hearts in the quiet cafe.
Singer
A singer in a choir.
Each chorister was crucial in achieving the harmonious melody.
Crooner
A crooner with a focus on jazz standards.
The jazz vocalist skillfully navigated the complex melodies.
Singer
A person who sings, especially professionally
A pop singer
Crooner
Crooner is a term used to describe primarily male singers who performed using a smooth style made possible by better microphones which picked up quieter sounds and a wider range of frequencies, allowing the singer to utilize more dynamic range and perform in a more intimate manner. It is derived from the old verb "to croon" (meaning "to speak or sing softly").
Singer
(Music) One who sings, especially a trained or professional vocalist.
Crooner
To hum or sing softly.
Singer
A poet.
Crooner
To sing popular songs in a soft, sentimental manner.
Singer
A songbird.
Crooner
(Scots) To roar or bellow.
Singer
One that singes.
Crooner
To sing softly or in a humming way
Crooning a lullaby.
Singer
A person who sings, often professionally.
Crooner
A soft singing or humming.
Singer
(square dance) dance figure with a fixed structure, sung by a caller, or a piece of music with that structure.
Crooner
One who croons; a singer, usually male, especially of popular music.
Singer
A person who, or device which, singes.
Crooner
A singer of popular ballads.
Singer
A machine for singeing cloth.
Crooner
A singer of popular ballads
Singer
One who, or that which, singes.
Singer
One who sings; especially, one whose profession is to sing.
Singer
A person who sings
Singer
United States inventor of an improved chain-stitch sewing machine (1811-1875)
Singer
United States writer (born in Poland) of Yiddish stories and novels (1904-1991)
Common Curiosities
Can a singer be a crooner?
Yes, a singer can be a crooner if they adopt the specific vocal style and song choice associated with crooning.
Where do crooners typically perform?
Crooners often perform in intimate venues such as nightclubs and lounges.
How do singers vary their singing style?
Singers vary their style based on the genre they are performing, which can include altering their vocal technique, pitch, and emotional delivery.
What is the main difference between a singer and a crooner?
A singer refers to any individual who sings, while a crooner is specifically known for a smooth, soothing singing style.
What makes a crooner's performance unique?
A crooner's performance is unique due to their emphasis on emotional expression, intimate interaction with the audience, and often a focus on love and romance in their song choices.
How do singers adapt their voice to different musical styles?
Singers adapt their voice by modifying elements like pitch, volume, and timbre to suit different musical genres, from rock's rough edge to classical music's operatic demands.
What is the biggest challenge for a crooner in today's music industry?
The biggest challenge for a crooner today is maintaining relevance in a music industry dominated by genres that favor more dynamic and varied vocal styles.
What type of music do crooners typically perform?
Crooners typically perform jazz and classic pop standards that emphasize melody and sentimental lyrics.
Do singers need formal training?
Not necessarily; singers can be self-taught or formally trained. The need for training often depends on the style of music and the complexity of the vocal techniques involved.
What vocal techniques are commonly used by crooners?
Crooners typically use techniques like legato singing to ensure smooth transitions between notes and a controlled, mellow tone to convey emotion.
Are all crooners male?
No, while historically many famous crooners have been male, the style can be adopted by any singer, regardless of gender.
Why is crooning often associated with nostalgia?
Crooning is associated with nostalgia because it became popular in the early to mid-20th century and often evokes the musical styles and sentiments of that era.
Can crooners perform modern music?
Yes, crooners can perform modern music if they adapt the songs to their distinctive soft and smooth vocal style.
How do audience expectations differ for singers versus crooners?
Audience expectations for singers can vary widely depending on the genre, expecting anything from high energy to deep emotion, while audiences for crooners typically look for a soothing, romantic, and smooth performance that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
Is there a specific era when crooners were most popular?
Crooners were most popular during the 1930s to the 1950s, an era dominated by radio and early television where their style was particularly well-suited.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
