Singing Guide: Mississippi John Hurt
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you are interested in learning to sing like Mississippi John Hurt, you need a clear understanding of the unique approach John took while singing.
John Hurt's vocal technique was very relaxed and gentle when it came to his phrasing, diction, and pitch control. He would seamlessly weave together a mix of blues and ragtime influences over his fingerpicking style guitar playing. This approach, in contrast to harder and more aggressive styles of this genre, made him stand out amongst his contemporaries.
To learn how to sing like Mississippi John Hurt, you should begin by analyzing his vocal range and style. Try taking the vocal range test to see where your voice fits, then actively listen to Hurt's recordings to better understand his range and vocal style.
Observe how he bends notes, uses vibrato and demonstrates his soft singing style filling the entire space with his unique sound.
Once you have a good understanding of Hurt's unique style, it's time to begin training your voice, starting with proper breathing techniques. Check out our article on breathing basics, breath support and the farinelli breathing warm-up video in our skills-related resources for reference.
Next, focus on his use of chest singing. Our tools, such as range search, can help you locate music within your range, and check out this video on chest voice for a deeper understanding on how to utilize it.
Aside from chest singing, if you're interested in Hurt's flourishing vocal vibrato, check out the videos on Diaphragm Bounce for tips.
When it comes to articulation, it's essential to pay attention to mouth and throat openness. Try out this video on why to open mouth and throat while singing, and also consider the finger bite technique. However, a solid understanding of proper vocal articulation is necessary for this style.
Once you've become comfortable with John Hurt's vocal style, try tackling some of his famous songs, such as "Coffee Blues", "Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor", and "Avalon Blues."
It's important to consistently work on your voice to improve it, and the Singing Carrots singing course can assist with that.
With proper training, you'll be able to tap into the subtle style of Mississippi John Hurt, and incorporate those elements into your unique voice.