Singing Guide: Alice In Chains
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Alice in Chains is one of the most influential grunge bands from the 90s. Their music embodies a unique blend of heavy metal, alternative, and acoustic elements. Vocalist Layne Staley's powerful and haunting voice was central to the band's sound and adds an element of emotion and drama to their music. In this article, we will explore how to learn singing like Layne Staley from Alice in Chains.
Layne Staley's vocal technique is characterized by a broad range, raw and intense delivery, and emotive storytelling. Mastering his style requires that you focus on breath control, tone, and delivery. To get started, here are some tips:
- Start by analyzing your voice using Singing Carrots' "How to analyze your voice" guide to identify the areas that need improvement.
- Determine your voice types and range with the "Vocal range test" to ensure that you select appropriate songs to practice.
- Become familiar with the "Breathing basics" and "Breath support" to develop the control necessary for Layne's emotive and dramatic delivery.
- Master "Open mouth & throat" techniques to achieve Layne's raw delivery.
- Use the "How to learn a song effectively" guide to practice and replicate Layne's movements and phrasing.
- Study "Avoiding constrictions" to avoid tension while singing Layne's music, which can be emotionally draining.
- Understand the differences between "Pop/Jazz vs Classical singing" to interpret Alice in Chains' genre-bending tracks.
- Familiarize yourself with "Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking," which is fundamental to Layne's hypnotic and emotive delivery.
To better understand Layne's signature style, here are some Alice in Chains songs to reference:
- Man in the Box
- Rooster
- Would?
- Nutshell
- Don't Follow
Singing Carrots' resources provide the necessary tools to help you practice and master Layne Staley's unique vocal style. "Vocal Pitch Monitor" provides immediate visual feedback on pitch accuracy, and the "Pitch Training" exercises allow you to warm up and practice pitch, range, and agility. "Search songs" offers a platform to find songs with a matching vocal range, while "Artist vocal ranges" has vocal range information for over 5000 singers. Additionally, Singing Carrots' "21-lesson program" covers fundamental singing theory and tips.
Incorporate these resources into your practice regimen and utilize Singing Carrots' instructional videos for help mastering specific techniques. "Twang" and "Growling" exercises help achieve varying tones, while "Vibrato" technique videos and "Sustain Vocal" exercises provide guidance to achieve Layne's raw, emotive delivery.
In conclusion, mastering Layne Staley's vocal technique is a process that requires patience, consistency, and determination. Utilize these practical tips and Singing Carrots' resources to achieve Layne's raw and emotive delivery and to become a skilled vocalist in the style of Alice in Chains.