Singing Guide: Loudon Wainwright III
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Loudon Wainwright III is known for his unique songwriting and storytelling skills within American Folk music. He has been recognized for his profound ability to convey complex emotions, often coupled with his satirical sense of humor.
One of Wainwright's most notable vocal characteristics is his ability to make the most of his limited vocal range, turning it into a strength. He achieves his unique sound through the use of a slight nasal quality and a unique vocal phrasing that often relies on a yodel-like break in his register.
- Warm-up exercises: Warming up is critical in order to achieve a better vocal tone. The Farinelli Breathing and 3 Minute Warm Up from Singing Carrots are perfect tools to get your voice ready to sing.
- Pitch and Vocal exercises: To hone your voice into a yodel-like register similar to Wainwright's, try using some of the pitch accuracy tests from Singing Carrots. You can also use pitch training to improve your vocal agility.
- Chest voice and registers: Practice your chest voice with Singing Carrots singing game, Chest Voice Explained, in order to develop your voice. Knowing how to use different registers is very helpful in finding your unique vocal style, and Wainwright uses his break in register to convey emotion in his music.
- Mastering performance: To improve your performance skills, Singing Carrots offers valuable tips in the article on Tips for Performing on Stage and How to Overcome Stage Fright.
To hear Wainwright's unique vocal style and his storytelling through song, listen to his songs like "Dead Skunk", "T.S.M.N.W.A," or "The Swimming Song". Gain inspiration from Loudon and use the resources provided by Singing Carrots to find your unique style and voice.