Singing Guide: Doug Stone
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Doug Stone is a distinctly country singer, with a deep, resonant voice that conveys a range of emotions. To sing like Doug Stone, one must first identify his vocal technique, which is characterized by a strong emphasis on breath control and pitch accuracy. Stone's singing style is also rooted in his personal history, as he comes from a long line of country musicians and was raised on classic country songs.
To begin learning how to sing like Doug Stone, it's essential to understand the basics of breath support and diaphragmatic breathing. Active and passive breathing exercises, as well as Farinelli breathing, are all recommended for building breath control. Another component of Stone's vocal technique is his use of vocal registers, from chest voice to mixed voice, resulting in a rich, full sound.
Stone's song choices highlight his vocal range, from the emotionally charged "I'd Be Better Off (In a Pinebox)" to the more lighthearted "Addicted to a Dollar." These songs showcase Stone's vocal technique and range, along with his ability to deliver emotion and storytelling through his voice. To practice singing like Doug Stone, using Singing Carrots' Vocal Range Test can help identify your vocal range and compare it to Stone's, as well as finding other songs to practice singing.
For those who seek to emulate Doug Stone's singing style, it's also important to work on articulation. Finger bite exercise is a great tool to understand its basics to enhance your articulation. Additionally, having an open throat and mouth while singing is crucial for proper tone and resonance, as depicted in Open mouth and throat article.
While Stone's vocal technique is rooted in classic country, his music also incorporates modern elements, such as contemporary vocal techniques like chesty modal, twang, and belting. To learn more about these techniques, check Singing Carrots' article on Contemporary Vocal Techniques: Heavy Modal, Twang, Belting. Also, there are skill-related videos that offer exercises to master other signature elements of Doug Stone's voice like Chest Voice explained and Glottal Onset.
Finally, breathing exercises, good posture, and warm-up techniques demonstrated in Singing Carrots' resource will all contribute to developing the skills necessary for singing like Doug Stone. Picking up an educational singing course that covers the practical and theoretical aspects of singing can also be helpful in furthering your singing abilities. Singing Carrots offers a popular singing beginners' course which you can check here.
In conclusion, to sing like Doug Stone, one must express a deep command of breath control, pitch accuracy, diaphragmatic breathing, and proper use of vocal registers, mixed with articulation, open mouth & throat, and vibrato. Practice singing Stone's songs and incorporate Singing Carrots exercises, skill-related videos, and courses to enhance the capabilities needed to sing like him. As with all learning experiences, progress comes with patience, practice, and a willingness to learn. Take it slowly and savor the process, and eventually, you'll be singing like a pro!