Singing Guide: Sufjan Stevens

Singing Guide: Sufjan Stevens

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

How To Sing Like Sufjan Stevens

If you're a fan of Sufjan Stevens and want to learn how to sing like him, we've got you covered. Known for his distinctive voice and unique style, Sufjan Stevens is a challenging yet rewarding artist to emulate. Here are some tips to help you develop your own Sufjan-like sound and improve your singing skills.

Understanding Sufjan's Vocal Technique

One of the most notable qualities of Sufjan's singing is his breathy, airy quality, particularly evident in his falsetto. He often begins phrases quietly and gradually builds to a more powerful sound. He also makes frequent use of vibrato and often employs sustained notes to create a haunting effect.

Picking Sufjan's Songs

Sufjan's music covers a wide range of sounds and styles, but some of his most popular works are acoustic-based ballads with emotional, introspective lyrics. "Should Have Known Better," "All of Me Wants All of You," and "Fourth of July" showcase Sufjan's vocal and expressive range. Choose songs that resonate with you and allow you to explore different aspects of your voice.

Techniques to Practice

Incorporating the following techniques into your singing practice will help refine your voice and develop a sound like Sufjan's:

  • Breathing technique: Sufjan's vocal style relies on deep breaths and careful control of his airflow.
  • Voice Registers: He often switches smoothly between head and chest voice, which requires practice.
  • Vibrato: Developing a natural-sounding vibrato can add dimension to your singing.
  • Effective song learning: Practice the melody and lyrics separately, then gradually put them together.
  • Breath support: Sufjan uses breathy singing to create a sense of intimacy. Proper breath control is required to maintain this effect without running out of air.

Using Singing Carrots Resources

Singing Carrots offers a variety of valuable resources to help with your singing practice. Utilize the vocal range test to determine where your voice sits in relation to Sufjan Stevens' voice. You can use this information to choose songs that match your vocal range. The pitch accuracy test and vocal pitch monitor are helpful tools for training your pitch accuracy. The pitch training game will improve your pitch accuracy and give you practice with scales and arpeggios. For artists' vocal range, the Singing Carrots database contains ranges for over 5000 singers.

Incorporating the exercises provided in the skill-related videos offers a focused and hands-on approach to reinforce all the techniques mentioned in this article.

Conclusion

Singing like Sufjan Stevens takes practice and dedication, but with the right guidance and resources, you can improve your singing skills and develop your own unique voice. Incorporate these tips into your practice routine, and remember to be patient and persistent. By consistently applying these techniques and using Singing Carrots resources, you can achieve your singing goals and start singing like Sufjan Stevens.

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