Iris Dement: Learning to Sing Like Her

Iris Dement is a Grammy-nominated American folk singer and songwriter. Her unique voice has been described as "heartfelt" and "earnest," and her music often explores themes of family, faith, and the American experience. In this article, we will discuss how to learn singing like Iris Dement.

Vocal Style

Dement's singing is characterized by its distinctiveness. Her voice is often described as "quirky" or "unconventional," and for many listeners, this is part of what makes her music so appealing. One of the most striking features of her vocal style is her use of sudden shifts in pitch, often within a single phrase. She also has a unique way of enunciating certain words, which helps to give her singing a distinctive flavor.

Songs to Highlight her Style

If you want to learn how to sing like Iris Dement, start by listening closely to some of her most iconic songs. Some of our favorites include:

• Our Town
• Wasteland of the Free
• Let the Mystery Be
• The Way I Should

All of these songs showcase her unique vocal style, so be sure to listen carefully to how she uses pitch, tone, and phrasing to create her signature sound.

Techniques and Tips

To sing like Iris Dement, it's important to focus on developing control over your voice. Here are some tips and techniques to help you get started:

• Breathing: Good breath control is essential for singing in the Iris Dement style. Practice deep breathing exercises to help you develop better breath support.
• Enunciation: Iris Dement's diction is a big part of what makes her singing so distinctive. Practice enunciating each word clearly and precisely, and pay attention to how she emphasizes certain syllables.
• Pitch and Phrasing: Dement's unique vocal style often relies on sudden shifts in pitch and phrasing. Listen closely to how she uses these techniques, and practice incorporating them into your own singing.
• Emotion: Dement's music often explores deeply emotional themes, and her singing reflects this. To sing like her, focus on tapping into your emotions and expressing them through your singing.

Singing Carrots Resources

To further your singing education and learn more about Iris Dement's style, you can use the following resources from Singing Carrots:

• Breathing basics
• How to analyze your voice
• How to learn a song effectively
• Pitch Training
• Search songs
• Vocal ranges of famous singers
• Vocal health
• Educational singing course

In addition, you can use Singing Carrots' vocal range test and pitch accuracy test to help you refine your singing skills. With practice and dedication, you'll be able to develop your own unique vocal style, just like Iris Dement!