Singing Guide: Marshall Crenshaw

Singing Guide: Marshall Crenshaw

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Marshall Crenshaw is a singer-songwriter best known for his new wave and power pop style of music. Crenshaw's singing style often embodies a unique blend of power, control, and sweetness that is perfect for aspiring singers to study and emulate.

To sing like Marshall Crenshaw, it is important to recognize his distinctive vocal techniques and style. In order to achieve this, one must focus on having good breath control, a strong vibrato, and work towards finding their own voice.

  • Breath control is a key component of Crenshaw's singing style. This can be achieved by practicing singing exercises that focus on breath, such as the Farinelli Breathing exercise referenced in the Singing Carrots resources. Additionally, it is important to practice singing songs that allow for control over the breath while producing a strong, melodic line.
  • A strong vibrato is another hallmark of Crenshaw's vocal style. Following the instructions of Singing Carrots videos on Beggars Bounce and Diaphragm Bounce can help individuals develop their vibrato. It's important to keep in mind that vibrato is not an effect added to the voice, but a natural occurrence in a well-supported voice.
  • Finally, finding your own voice is an essential step in singing like Marshall Crenshaw. This can be achieved by working with Singing Carrots resources like the vocal range test, and then finding songs that challenge and develop areas needing improvement. In addition, working on articulation and ensuring that it is crisp and clear is important for replicating Crenshaw's enunciation. Singing Carrots resource on articulation is recommended for this.

When it comes to showcasing Crenshaw's unique style in song choice, "Someday, Someway" and "Cynical Girl" are great walking bassline and vocal melody combination songs for power pop, while "There She Goes Again" is a good example for new wave style.

Overall, aspiring singers can achieve Marshall Crenshaw's unique sound by focusing on developing breath control, a strong vibrato, and their own unique vocal style. Singing Carrots offers additional resources and exercises for further training-giving everyone the opportunity to achieve their goals.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.