Singing Guide: Arlo Guthrie
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Arlo Guthrie might not have the technical operatic voice, but he has developed a unique way to interpret and perform folk songs. What sets him apart from other folk singers is his conversational style of singing, almost like he is telling a story more than singing a song. He has a distinctive way of inflecting words, of extending or reducing syllables, of providing a range of tonal colors to further his expressive powers in live performances.
To learn how to sing like Arlo Guthrie, start by analyzing his vocal technique, style, and identifying his vocal range and voice type. Then, learn some of his most iconic songs, such as "This Land Is Your Land," "City of New Orleans," "Coming into Los Angeles," "Alice's Restaurant," and others.
Arlo Guthrie has a rich and warm baritone voice, which may require some practice to emulate. Use Singing Carrots' Pitch Accuracy Test and Vocal Range Test to identify your vocal range and improve your pitch accuracy. Once you have identified your vocal range, search for songs in Singing Carrots' songbook that match your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.
Watch Arlo Guthrie's live performances to get a sense of his style and stage presence. Practicing good breathing techniques, using open mouth, and throat while singing is crucial to developing a conversational style. Use Singing Carrots' Breathing Basics, Breath Support, and Warm-up Exercises to improve your breath control.
Remember, singing is a highly personal and emotional experience, and being able to convey the feeling and emotions behind the lyrics is essential in folk music. Explore Singing Carrots' comprehensive Singing Course that covers music theory and practical tips that will help you refine your technique and hone your skills.
So, keep practicing and striving to improve your singing technique, and as Arlo Guthrie once said, "The only thing worse than being down is being down and singing the blues."