If you're a fan of '80s folk music, you're probably familiar with Eddi Reader and her band Fairground Attraction. The band released their debut album in 1988, which included their smash hit, "Perfect". One of the most distinctive and impressive qualities of Eddi Reader's singing is her ability to blend different styles together – with influences ranging from traditional Scottish folk to rock, pop, and jazz. She uses precise phrasing to create a dynamic and memorable sound that always grabs the listener's attention.

If you want to learn how to sing like Eddi Reader and make the most of your unique voice, here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Find Your Inspiration

   Before starting your singing journey, find inspiration in Fairground Attraction's live performances. Their distinctive harmonies, combined with Reader's soaring vocals, are worth watching!

2. Develop Good Singing Habits

   Proper breathing and posture are essential for singing with precision and endurance. Review Singing Carrots' blogs on breathing basics, breath support, and how posture affects your singing to learn more about building good singing habits.

3. Learn to Use Your Voice Registers

   To sing like Eddi Reader, you need to understand how voice registers work. Review Singing Carrots' article on voice registers and the vocal break and videos on chest voice and mixed voice to learn how to build your singing range and utilize different registers effectively and melodically.

4. Vocal Tone and Vibrato

   Eddi Reader has a distinct style, with a slightly nasally and hoarse tone. To sing like Eddi, you will need to develop your voice in a way that produces similar qualities: resounding and vibrant. You can also learn to control your vibrato by practicing exercises such as this one that help you improve breath support and sustain.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice!

   Singing requires dedication and time. Find your vocal range and develop your pitch accuracy with specific exercises. Singing Carrots' Pitch Training is an interactive vocal game that helps you improve your hearing and memory skills, as well as agility and range.

6. Start singing like Eddi Reader

   Once you have mastered the basics of singing, practice singing one of Eddi Reader's most iconic songs, "Perfect". You can find the lyrics and chords on the Fairground Attraction song book. Analyze the song, its tune and phrasing, and practice singing it with or without background music.

Follow these tips and Singing Carrots' resources, and you'll soon develop a singing style like Eddi Reader, with more warmth, power, and nuance. With perseverance and dedication, you will be able to achieve your desired goals.