Singing Guide: Ingrid Michaelson
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you're a fan of Ingrid Michaelson's sweet voice, you may want to study her singing style to enhance your own. Ingrid is known for her whimsical and intimate sound that relies heavily on her natural tone. Bluesy and tender yet powerful, Ingrid's voice is perfect for both upbeat pop tunes and mellow introspective songs alike. In this article, we will explore how to master Ingrid Michaelson's unique singing style.
Vocal Techniques
Ingrid's singing style incorporates a mix of singing in her natural vocal range and using powerful belt notes. Her voice is generally light and bright but can quickly turn sultry and powerful when she belts out a powerful note. To sound like Ingrid Michaelson, try the following vocal techniques:
- Work on your breath support: Before you start belting out songs, make sure you have proper breath support. Ingrid uses her breath control to her advantage, which gives her voice the perfect balance of power and vulnerability.
- Practice head-voice mix: Ingrid's vocal range is not particularly extensive, but she can hit high notes effortlessly. To achieve this, she uses a mix of various singing registers, including the head-voice mix, to transition smoothly from her lower to higher notes.
- Develop a whispery tone: As mentioned, Ingrid Michaelson has a distinctive whispery quality to her voice. To emulate this, you can try singing subtly with a breathy tone and incorporating that airiness into your voice.
- Work on your falsetto: Ingrid's songs often feature intricate falsetto harmonies that add a unique element to her music. Developing your falsetto voice can allow you to incorporate this same quality into your singing.
Songs to Practice
To learn how to sing like Ingrid Michaelson, it's essential to listen and learn her songs. Here are a few of Ingrid's most popular songs that showcase her unique vocal style:
- The Way I Am: This song is an excellent example of Ingrid's signature style, featuring her sweet, breathy vocals and simple melodic phrasing.
- Maybe: "Maybe" is another Ingrid classic that features her signature vocal inflections, including distinctive intonation and a unique rhythm.
- Girls Chase Boys: Ingrid's skill with power notes is showcased in "Girls Chase Boys," which has a more upbeat tempo.
- You and I: This piano-driven ballad's fragile vocal performance captures the intimate quality of Ingrid's voice.
Tips and Tricks
Learning to sing like Ingrid Michaelson requires more than just vocal technique and practice. Here are some tips that will help you along the way:
- Take care of your voice: Proper vocal care is key to achieving and maintaining Ingrid's signature vocal style. Make sure to drink plenty of water, avoid foods and beverages that dry out your throat, and warm-up before you practice or sing.
- Study her phrasing: Ingrid's singing style is all about phrasing. Pay attention to her delivery and how she emphasizes certain words over others. This way, you'll better understand how to deliver a song in her style.
- Practice with Singing Carrots: Use the singing tools provided by Singing Carrots to improve your singing skills and vocal range. The online courses and exercises can help you improve your pitch accuracy and vocal quality, just like Ingrid!
Singing like Ingrid Michaelson is not only about mastering her vocal techniques but also about incorporating her unique style into your own sound. By understanding her singing style and songs, practicing with Singing Carrots material, and developing your own vocal personality, you can sing like Ingrid Michaelson for an authentic and captivating performance.