Singing Guide: Isobel Griffiths
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Isobel Griffiths is a British vocal coach with over 30 years of experience in the vocal and performance coaching industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, including Adele, Sia, Emeli Sandé, and Gregory Porter, to name a few. In this article, we will take a look at some of the key features of Griffiths's vocal technique and ways to develop your vocal abilities like hers, as well as incorporating some practical exercises and Singing Carrots resources to help you along the way.
Firstly, it is worth noting that Isobel Griffiths is renowned for her ability to build trust with her artists and create a completely safe space in which they can explore and expand their vocal capabilities. She is known for working closely and collaboratively with her artists, adapting to their unique style, and always prioritizing their well-being. With that said, let's move on to some of the core aspects of Griffiths's vocal technique that you can focus on to develop your own singing ability.
One of the key features of Griffiths's singing technique is her use of a relaxed and open jaw and throat. This allows her artists to maintain a natural tone while expanding their range and power. Relaxing the jaw and throat also helps to reduce tension in the neck, shoulders and upper body, allowing the voice to flow naturally.
Another important aspect of Isobel Griffiths's vocal technique is the use of "the six ratios," which help singers develop and maintain control of their vocal range and power across all registers. These ratios are onset, offset, vibrancy, intensity, register balance, and pitch accuracy.
Griffiths also focuses strongly on the use of breath control, which is essential to maintain healthy singing. To achieve this, she encourages artists to use their whole body to breathe, feeling the breath enter through the nose and escape through the mouth without tension. This technique also helps to develop stamina and control, allowing singers to perform more sustainably.
When it comes to creating unique and powerful performances, Isobel Griffiths encourages artists to really connect with the emotion of the song. This involves using personal experiences and feelings to inform and enhance the delivery of the lyrics, rather than simply relying on technique alone.
To develop your vocal abilities in the style of Isobel Griffiths, you can use the following Singing Carrots resources:
- Vocal range test: This tool can help you determine your current range and compare it to those of famous singers, which can help to inform your singing style.
- Breath support: This article offers valuable information on developing healthy breathing habits.
- Open mouth and throat: This article covers the importance of relaxing your jaw and throat while singing, a technique that Griffiths is known to use regularly.
- Vibrato: This video demonstrates various exercises to help you develop your vibrato technique.
- Sing Along: This feature allows you to practice singing along to popular songs while engaging in pitch monitoring.
Incorporating these practices and exercises into your singing routine and utilizing the Singing Carrots resources can help you build your skill set and become a better singer in the style of Isobel Griffiths. Good luck!