Singing Guide: The Speer Family
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The Speer Family has been a prominent gospel singing group for over 75 years, with a unique mix of southern gospel, bluegrass, and country music. To learn to sing like Arthur, Ben, Dad, or Mom Speer (or their successors), let's focus on the following techniques:
- Breath control and sustain are vital for gospel singing and often require a bit of practice to master. The Farinelli breathing video is an excellent exercise for practicing breath control and lung capacity. Once you have the basics down, try the Sustain Vocal video for tips on longer, smoother notes.
- Harmony singing is another unique aspect of the Speer Family's style. Try the Singing Comfort Zone video, which explains how to find the right harmony notes for a song. Once you have the hang of this, practice singing along with a recording or other singers—don't forget to try both harmony and melody parts.
- Voice registers and vocal range are crucial for singing southern gospel. In their prime, many members of the Speer family sang in a high tenor or alto range, which is part of what gave their music its unique sound. Be sure to check your vocal range by taking the Vocal Range Test, which compares your range to famous singers. And don't forget our tool for searching songs by vocal range, so you can find material perfectly suited to your skills.
- Performance and emotion. The Speer Family is famous for its powerful performances, which always had large crowds cheering. To match their level, you need to focus on the emotion and feel of a piece. Fortunately, the Relaxing Breath video can help you master your calm and stay cool. In addition, check out the advice on performing tips and stage fright, so you can make the most of your time on stage.
- Unique vocal effects. Twang, belt, and hard/harsh singing are vocal techniques that are used extensively in southern gospel. Check out Contemporary Vocal Techniques video for detailed explanations. There is also a dedicated video on how to growl, a unique vocal technique that the Speer Family incorporated into many of their songs.
To get the most out of your Speer Family-style singing practice, Singing Carrots offers a course dedicated to educating beginners. Additionally, we have an extensive article database covering many voice-related topics, make sure to read them all, for a full-on, in-depth knowledge of voice and singing techniques.
Overall, the Speer Family has a unique and incredible style of singing, requiring a combination of techniques and a whole lot of passion. By experimenting with different techniques, you can create your twist on their legendary sound.