How to Learn Singing Like Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco is a folk-rock singer known for her intricate guitar playing, politically charged lyrics, and unique vocal style. She has a powerful, raspy voice that is both emotive and expressive, and she often uses unconventional singing techniques to add texture and depth to her performances. If you're a fan of Ani's music and want to learn how to sing like her, here are some tips and resources to help you get started.

Technique

One of the defining characteristics of Ani DiFranco's singing style is her use of vocal fry and growling. Vocal fry is a technique in which the vocal cords are kept loose and allowed to vibrate rapidly, creating a creaky, raspy sound. Growling involves adding a gritty, guttural quality to the voice by constricting the throat and tensing the muscles in the vocal cords.

To emulate Ani's vocal style, it's important to practice these techniques in a controlled way. You can use Singing Carrots' vocal distortion & growling articles and videos for guidance. Remember to always warm up your voice before attempting these techniques, and start slowly to avoid damaging your vocal cords.

Another important aspect of Ani's singing style is her use of dynamics. She often starts a song softly and builds to a powerful crescendo, creating a sense of tension and release. To practice this technique, try singing a song softly at first, gradually increasing the volume and intensity as you go. You can use Singing Carrots' singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking article as a guideline.

Songs

Ani DiFranco has a vast and varied discography spanning over 20 albums, but there are a few songs that are particularly well-suited for showcasing her vocal style. Here are some examples:

• "Both Hands": This classic Ani DiFranco song starts off slow and builds to an intense, frenetic climax. It's a great showcase for her use of dynamics and vocal fry.
• "Swan Dive": This song has a catchy melody and a driving rhythm, with plenty of opportunities to experiment with vocal fry, growling, and dynamics.
• "Not a Pretty Girl": The title track from one of Ani's most popular albums, "Not a Pretty Girl" is a powerful feminist anthem that showcases her trademark vocal style. Pay attention to her use of vocal fry in the verses and her powerful belting in the chorus.
• "32 Flavors": This is another classic Ani DiFranco song that is full of emotional intensity. Practice your dynamics as you sing the verses softly and the chorus loudly.

Practical Advice

In addition to practicing specific techniques and songs, there are a few general tips that can help you learn to sing like Ani DiFranco:

• Listen to her music with an attentive ear. Pay attention to how she uses dynamics, vocal fry, and other techniques to add emotion and nuance to her performances.
• Record yourself singing and listen back critically. Look for areas where you can improve your technique and try to emulate Ani's style as closely as possible.
• Take care of your voice. Ani's singing style can be tough on the vocal cords, so make sure you warm up properly, stay hydrated, and take breaks when needed.

Singing Carrots Resources

Singing Carrots offers a range of tools and resources that can help you learn to sing like Ani DiFranco. Here are a few that you may find particularly useful:

• The vocal range test can help you determine your vocal range and compare it to Ani's.
• The pitch accuracy test can help you improve your ear training and pitch recognition skills.
• The vocal pitch monitor can help you visualize your pitch as you sing and improve your accuracy.
• The pitch training game can help you develop your pitch recognition skills and practice singing in tune.
• The song search tool can help you find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preferences.
• The educational singing course provides a comprehensive overview of singing technique and theory.

By incorporating Singing Carrots' resources into your singing practice, you'll be well on your way to singing like Ani DiFranco. So grab your guitar, warm up your voice, and get ready to rock out!