Singing Guide: Joni Mitchell
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Learning to Sing like Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell is a renowned singer-songwriter known for her expressive, unique voice and poetic lyrics. If you want to learn to sing like Joni Mitchell, there are a few key techniques to focus on.
Vocal Range
Mitchell had a wide vocal range and was comfortable singing both low notes and high notes. To develop your own vocal range, take the vocal range test offered by Singing Carrots. This tool can help you chart your vocal range and determine where you might need to focus your training.
Learn more here: https://singingcarrots.com/range-test
Breathing
Healthy breathing is the foundation of good singing, and Mitchell was a master of her breath. Focus on the basics of breathing with Singing Carrots’ breathing basics article. In particular, pay attention to active breathing, in which you use your abdominal muscles to control your exhale.
Learn more here: https://singingcarrots.com/blog/active-and-passive-breathing/
Vocal Registers
Like many versatile singers, Mitchell had a mix of vocal registers that she could use to create different tonal colors. Focus on voice training with information from Singing Carrots’ voice registers & vocal break article. Start by working with your chest voice and head voice, and then explore the possibilities of your mixed voice.
Learn more here: https://singingcarrots.com/blog/what-are-voice-registers/
Vibrato
Vibrato is the natural wavering of the voice as you hold a sustained note. It’s a hallmark of Mitchell’s style. Singing Carrots’ vibrato article provides useful exercises to help you explore vibrato and develop it in your own voice.
Learn more here: https://singingcarrots.com/blog/singing-with-vibrato/
Unique Characteristics
Mitchell had a few unique vocal characteristics, including a nasal quality to some of her higher notes. To understand more about how to work with your own unique voice, take Singing Carrots’ how to find your own authentic voice course.
Learn more here: https://singingcarrots.com/blog/how-to-find-your-own-authentic-voice/
Example Songs
Finally, to really learn to sing like Joni Mitchell, spend some time studying her music. She has a wide range of songs that showcase different aspects of her voice, from the soaring high notes on "Carey" to the soft, low notes on "River." Use the Singing Carrots’ song search feature to find songs that fit well within your vocal range.
Learn more here: https://singingcarrots.com/search
Overall, learning to sing like Joni Mitchell requires a mix of technical skill, creativity, and personal exploration. By following these tips and exploring the resources provided by Singing Carrots, you’ll be well on your way to developing your own unique voice.