Singing Guide: Macy Gray
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Macy Gray, an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter, has a unique raspy voice that sets her apart from other singers. Gray’s distinctive vocal technique is characterized by a rough, scratchy, and soulful tone, with her vocal range spanning from contralto to mezzo-soprano. Her music blends various genres, including alternative rock, pop, and funk, but above all, her voice stands out the most.
If you want to learn to sing like Macy Gray, focus on developing your voice to have that growly quality. You can achieve this by practicing the following techniques:
Focus on Resonance – Macy Gray sings by focusing on resonance, which is how your voice sounds and vibrates in different spaces. Understanding resonance can help you achieve the growly effect that Macy Gray’s voice has. Make sure to practice in various rooms, so you can understand how your voice sounds in different spaces. You can use Singing Carrots’ ‘Resonance In Singing’ article to learn more.
Breath Control – Strong breathing skills are essential to sing like Macy Gray. Breathing is key to projecting your voice and sustaining a note. You can use Singing Carrots’ ‘Breath Support’ article to learn more about breathing techniques and how to use your breath to control your voice better.
Articulation – Macy Gray is known for her unique singing style, where she elongates her phrases and bends her pitch. Hence, focusing on your articulation can help you sing like her. You can use Singing Carrots’ ‘Articulation’ article to learn more about how to practice articulation.
Warm-ups – Make sure you warm up before singing. It will not only prevent injury but also help your voice be more flexible and respond better to different vocal techniques. You can use Singing Carrots’ ‘Farinelli Breathing’ exercise for a complete warm-up.
Find your own voice – Macy Gray’s voice is unique to her, and you should not try to copy her exactly. Instead, use her technique as inspiration to find your own voice. You can use Singing Carrots’ ‘How to Find Your Authentic Voice’ article to help find what makes your voice unique.
As you practice the above techniques, you can practice singing some of Macy Gray’s most famous songs, such as ‘I Try,’ ‘Sweet Baby,’ and ‘Beauty in the World.’ Listening to her music and lyrics can also help you understand how to get into the right mindset when singing like Macy Gray.
To help you along your journey, Singing Carrots offers various resources such as the ‘Vocal Range Test,’ ‘Pitch Accuracy Test,’ ‘Pitch Training,’ ‘Song search,’ ‘Artists vocal ranges,’ ‘Song-book,’ and ‘Singing course.’ Use these resources to tailor your voice to sing like Macy Gray, while also staying true to your unique style.