Singing Guide: Portishead

Singing Guide: Portishead

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

How to Sing Like Portishead

Portishead is a popular trip-hop band from Bristol, England known for their haunting melodies and unique sound. Vocalist Beth Gibbons' voice is central to their sound, characterized by her soulful delivery and emotive storytelling. Here are some tips and resources to help you learn how to sing like Portishead.

Emphasize Emotion and Storytelling:

Beth Gibbons' singing is emotionally charged, with a raw intensity that draws listeners in. To sing like Portishead, it's essential to convey the emotions of the songs you're performing. Focus on telling a story with your vocals and connecting with the lyrics in a deep and meaningful way.

Master Chest Voice and Fluctuations:

Beth Gibbons' chest voice is rich and full, with fluctuations that add depth and dimension to her vocal delivery. To achieve a similar sound, practice singing in your chest voice and experimenting with subtly changing the tone and timbre of your voice for added effect.

Utilize Reverberation and Delay:

Portishead's unique sound is characterized by the use of reverberation and delay effects, which give their music a haunting, otherworldly feel. Experiment with using effects pedals or digital audio workstation plugins to replicate this signature sound.

Recommended Singing Carrots Resources:

  • Vocal range test - Determine your vocal range and compare it to famous singers like Beth Gibbons.
  • Pitch accuracy test - Assess your pitch accuracy and identify areas for improvement.
  • Vocal Pitch Monitor - See your sung notes on a virtual piano, helping you to improve pitch accuracy.
  • Pitch Training - Interactive warm-ups and exercises to improve pitch accuracy, range, and agility.
  • Search songs - Find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preference.
  • Song-book - Create your own set of performance songs, with linked lyrics, sheet music, chords, karaoke, and YouTube audio.
  • Singing course - A comprehensive 21-lesson program that covers singing theory and practical tips.
  • Chest Voice Explained - A video that explains how to use chest voice properly.
  • Soft Palate - A video exercise to help you stop sounding nasal.
  • How to Twang Exercise - A video exercise on how to twang.
  • Relaxing Breath - A video that teaches you how to control your emotions while performing.
  • Good Singing Posture - A video tutorial that explains how to maintain good posture while singing.
  • Sustain Vocal - A video that demonstrates how to sustain your vocalizations.
  • Glottal Onset - A video that teaches you how to use the glottal onset.
  • Stage Tips - A video with tips for performing on stage.

By utilizing these resources and practicing regularly, you'll be well on your way to singing like Beth Gibbons of Portishead. Good luck and happy singing!

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