Singing Guide: Midland
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
How to Sing Like Midland: Unique Vocal Technique and Songs
Midland is a modern country music trio comprised of Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, and Jess Carson. This band's style has been described as traditional and classic country music with a modern twist, featuring three-part harmonies and some retro vibes. To replicate their sound, let's explore the unique vocal technique and songs of Midland and some tips on how to learn to sing like them.
Unique Vocal Technique
Midland's harmonies incorporate heavy use of the bottom and middle range of the voice. They tend to avoid high notes and show off their musical sensitivity by creating beautiful harmonies that blend together with great vibe.
To achieve this type of harmony and fullness of sound, you should practice singing in the lower and middle range of your voice. To do this, start by finding your vocal range with our Vocal Range Test. Then, try to practice singing simple melodies or scales in your lower to mid-range, and experiment with adding harmonies to different parts of the song.
Songs Showcasing Their Unique Sound
Midland's discography highlights their ability to create a modern sound while remaining true to traditional country music. Some great examples of their unique sound include their hit songs "Drinkin' Problem," "Burn Out," and "Mr. Lonely."
"Drinkin' Problem" features a catchy hook, a steady beat, and beautiful harmonies that capture the essence of traditional country music. "Burn Out," which may lean a bit more towards pop with its driving beat and catchy melody, is an excellent example of how the trio's harmonies work together to create a blended and cohesive sound. Finally, "Mr. Lonely" showcases the band's vocals with beautiful harmonies and a more subdued melody.
To learn how to sing like Midland, identify the specific vocal parts in each song - lead vocals, harmonies, etc - and practice singing along with them. Use the Singing Carrots Song Search tool to find songs that match your vocal range.
Practical Advice and Singing Carrots Resources
In addition to finding the right range and learning the harmonies of Midland's songs, there are some other practical tips that can help improve your singing to sound like this southern inspired trio.
Breathing and Posture
Breathing is one of the most important parts of singing regardless of your genre, and it is crucial to pay close attention to your breathing technique when trying to replicate Midland's harmonies. To ensure your breathing and posture is correct, check out these Singing Carrots articles on Breathing Basics and How Posture Affects Your Singing.
Vocal Warm-ups and Training
To increase your vocal stamina, it's a good idea to practice daily vocal exercises and warm-ups. Our Pitch Training educational singing game is an exciting way to develop your voice and enhance your pitch accuracy. Our Vocal Pitch Monitor is an excellent tool to help you visualise your sung notes on a vocal keyboard and analyse your performance.
Style
Country music is all about style, and Midland is no exception. To learn more about country singing style, read our blog on Pop/Jazz vs Classical Singing to better understand the stylistic differences between these genres. You can get even more practice with our Singing For Beginners course, which covers a wide range of musical styles.
Overall, the best way to sing like Midland is to practice singing in your lower to mid-range, focus on your breathing and posture, learn their specific harmonies and most popular songs, and practice warming up and training your voice using Singing Carrots resources. With dedication and hard work, you can sound just like Midland.