Sara Groves is an exceptional singer/songwriter hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Known for her vulnerable and honest lyrics, delicate folk melodies, and strong Christian faith, she has released a series of critically acclaimed albums since her debut in 2001. To learn to sing like Sara Groves, some basic music knowledge and vocal techniques are required.

1. Vocal Control and Dynamics

   Sara Groves’ vocal technique relies heavily on nuanced control of her voice dynamics. To achieve her unique soft, restrained and delicate sound, practice control over your diaphragm and support your breath while singing. Start with easy breathing exercises with Farinelli Breathing and breathing basics you can find at our blog. Then focus on your vocal onsets and offsets, understanding what vocal registers are, and working to seamlessly transition your voice between them. For exercises, practice singing songs, ranging from quiet to loud, like “Toy Packaging,” “I Saw What I Saw,” or “Just One More Thing.”

2. Songwriting

   Sara Groves’ core strength is in her lyrics, so your songwriting can benefit by analyzing her style. She often writes poetic and introspective lyrics to express personal experiences or universal themes. To learn the craft of songwriting, read our blog post How to learn a song effectively and study Sara Groves’ songs like “Less Like Scars,” “Why It Matters,” and “He’s Always Been Faithful.” Take Inspiration from Sara when it comes to important topics like relationships, doubts, social justice, and Christianity.

3. Musical Style

   Sara Groves’ musical style is mainly associated with modern folk, pop, and contemporary Christian music. Her music has a minimalist feel, with thoughtful lyrics delivered with a simple vocal delivery. Listen to her songs like “When It Was Over” and “Songs of Deliverance” and try to replicate her style, work with Singing Carrots’ range of Search songs by vocal range to contrast and compare yourself with Sara, and make progress with Pitch accuracy test or use Vocal Pitch Monitor to practice and improve your pitch.

4. Performance Skills

   Sara Groves is also known for her engaging live performances. To learn from her stage presence, watch her live concerts and study her craft. A detailed list of tips and exercises to improve your stage performance is at our blog post - Tips for performing on stage. You can also practice warm-ups using 3 Minute Warm Up and learning about the importance of good posture, alongside how to overcome stage fright.

With a solid, basic understanding of music, vocal control, songwriting, and performance skills, singers can learn Sara Groves’ unique style and approach to music. Good luck and have fun exploring!