Singing Guide: Big Country
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Big Country is a Scottish rock band formed in 1981, known for their unique blend of Scottish folk music and post-punk rock. Their lead vocalist, the late Stuart Adamson, had a distinctive voice that was both powerful and emotive. His singing was often compared to bagpipes, and his signature guitar sound with the use of eBow and delay.
If you want to learn how to sing like Stuart Adamson, you need to work on your breath control, resonance, and articulation. One of his unique techniques was to sing vowels with such clarity and intensity that they sounded like consonants. He had a very wide vocal range, which he used to great effect in songs like "In A Big Country," "Fields of Fire," and "Chance."
- To develop your breath control, Singing Carrots has an excellent article on breathing basics. This article will teach you how to engage your diaphragm and other muscles to support your singing. Another article you may find helpful is the one on breath support. It will show you how to make the most of your breath when singing.
- To improve your resonance, Singing Carrots has an article on resonance in singing that covers the concept of where and how your voice vibrates in your body. Adamson's singing sounded like it came from deep within his chest, and it was rich and warm. You will also find the Vocal Pitch Monitor very useful in working on your resonance. You can use this tool to monitor your pitch accuracy and see your sung notes on a virtual piano.
- To improve your articulation, you can try the Finger Bite exercise from the video resources listed above. This exercise helps you to focus on the shape of your mouth and the placement of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. As Adamson's singing was often compared to bagpipes, clear articulation was essential to make the lyrics understandable.
Stuart Adamson was one of the most talented musicians that Scotland has ever produced and left an incredibly influential legacy. He is a great example of how a singer can master their technique while retaining an authentic and unique style. By using the Singing Carrots resources, you can learn how to sing like Stuart Adamson while also developing your own unique voice.