Singing Guide: McClain Sisters
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The McClain Sisters are an American Pop and R&B group consisting of sisters China Anne, Sierra, and Lauryn McClain. Their vocal style blends a mix of pop, R&B, and hip-hop, with a heavy influence on harmonies. If you want to learn how to sing like the McClain Sisters, you need to focus on their unique style and learn fundamental techniques that make their performances so special.
First, let's start with vocal range. Knowing your vocal range is essential to perfecting your singing techniques. Use the Vocal Range Test from Singing Carrots to determine the range of notes you can comfortably sing. Once you have your measurements, compare your notes to those of the McClain Sisters. China Anne McClain has an impressive range, demonstrated even at a young age in her cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” Lauryn McClain's soprano has a lot of light and warmth qualities that are best showcased in “Great Divide.” Sierra McClain's vocals are powerful and rich, demonstrated in her “Jacob’s Ladder” cover.
Next, let’s talk about breathing basics. Proper breathing control is an essential aspect of singing, and without it, you won’t be able to style your voice as the McClain Sisters do. Learn about active and passive breathing by reading Singing Carrots’ article on Breath Control. Practice breathing exercises - like Farinelli Breathing, and techniques such as diaphragm support - to maximize control and stamina during a performance.
Moving on, understanding voice registers and vocal breaks is critical to perfecting your vocal technique. Study Singing Carrots’ article on registers and vocal breaks to better understand them. Focus on the mixed voice sections of their songs, which showcase the McClain Sisters' abilities to transition seamlessly between registers.
In addition to the above techniques, focusing on resonance, vibrato, and chest voice is essential to capture the McClain Sisters' singing style. Study and practice Singing Carrots’ articles on Vibrato and Resonance, as these skills will help you produce a full, well-rounded yet controlled sound similar to the McClain Sisters.
Finally, practice singing with your intuition and emotion while thinking strategically about your vocal technique. To improve your singing, you need to practice, practice, practice. Singing Carrots has an impressive Pitch Training game and Vocal Range search capabilities that will help you find songs that match your range and style. Also, check out their educational courses. From breathing to posture, to warm-ups, to live performances, make use of every resource available on Singing Carrots.
By focusing on the techniques mentioned above, you can learn how to sing like the McClain Sisters. Sing their songs, pay attention to their harmonies, and implement the fundamental techniques mentioned above, and you will be on your way to sounding just like the McClain Sisters.