Learning to phrase rhythmically during a song will enable you to sing in time with a band or a backing track. Rhythmic phrasing also enables you to experiment with a rhythmic concept called 'syncopation,' where the music or lyrics may fall on in between the downbeats that are found in most R&B songs on two and four. R&B vocalist Alicia Keys is known for her funky rhythmic phrasing.
Vocal runs, where the vocalist sings above or below the note of the melody he or she is singing, are stylistic idioms specific to R&B. Vocalists should learn how to do this while articulating whatever lyrics they are singing so the words don't get lost during the run. Learning how to land on the beginning note of the next part of the melody after the vocal run is important as well.
Breathing style and airflow are essential items to work on according to vocalist and vocal educator Lisa Popeil. Each style of music has its own type of airflow that works when singing it. "...when singing sultry R&B or jazz, you may allow the folds to open more," Popeil says.
Legendary R&B vocalist Chaka Kahn can't stresses how important learning intonation is when singing R&B. To sing with proper intonation means to sing in the correct pitch for the melody and to adjust and correct when you find yourself singing flat or sharp notes. ""These girls nowadays are singing flat, and it's like, 'What!' No one seems to care except the people who really appreciate songs sung all in the right key," Kahn says.