Singing Guide: Shawn Colvin
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Shawn Colvin is an acclaimed American folk singer-songwriter known for her poetic lyrics, intricate guitar playing, and emotive singing style.
One of the unique aspects of Shawn Colvin's vocal technique is her phrasing. She tends to elongate certain syllables to create a more dramatic effect, adding a touch of melancholy to her songs. To master her phrasing technique, try singing along with her songs and pay attention to where she emphasizes certain words. Then, experiment with elongating the sounds of those words yourself.
Another key element to Shawn Colvin's singing style is her use of vibrato. Unlike some singers who use vibrato excessively, Shawn Colvin's vibrato is restrained and nuanced, adding warmth and depth to her voice. To develop your own vibrato, practice holding out long notes and gradually introducing a slight wobbling to your voice.
In terms of specific songs to learn, "Sunny Came Home" and "Diamond in the Rough" are two of Shawn Colvin's most popular and emotionally charged songs. Try singing along with these songs and pay attention to her phrasing and vibrato techniques.
In addition to practicing specific songs and techniques, it's important to focus on overall vocal health. Singing regularly can put a strain on your vocal cords, so be sure to warm up before practicing and take breaks as needed. Singing Carrots offers great resources for warming up and practicing like the vocal range test, pitch accuracy test, vocal pitch monitor, pitch training, and singing courses. They also provide helpful articles and videos related to singing that can help improve one's skills.
In conclusion, Shawn Colvin's unique vocal technique draws from a nuanced sense of phrasing and restrained use of vibrato. By practicing with her songs and focusing on overall vocal health, aspiring singers can learn to emulate her emotive and stirring style. Singing Carrots offers a range of resources to help singers of all levels improve their abilities and unleash their full potential.