Singing Guide: The Civil Wars
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you're a fan of The Civil Wars, you might be captivated by the hauntingly beautiful harmonies of Joy Williams and John Paul White. Although the duo disbanded in 2014, their music continues to charm.
To learn to sing like The Civil Wars, you must first learn to harmonize. The duo's signature sound was their tight harmonies that effortlessly blended together. To achieve that, it's important to practice matching pitches and singing with control and precision.
Another key aspect of The Civil Wars' style is their use of dynamics. They understood how to build emotion into a song by starting soft and intimate and then gradually building to a powerful finish. As you practice their songs, be sure to pay attention to the dynamics and how they affect the emotional impact.
One song that showcases The Civil Wars' harmonies and dynamic control is their cover of "Disarm" by The Smashing Pumpkins. It starts off with a gentle acoustic guitar and Joy's tender vocals. John Paul sings the second verse, and the harmonies start to appear. They continue to build throughout the song, culminating in a powerful acapella section towards the end. Another song demonstrating their signature style is "Barton Hollow," which features an easy-to-sing melody and a catchy chorus.
Singing Carrots has several relevant resources you can use to practice singing like The Civil Wars. The Vocal Range Test can help you determine your vocal range and find songs that are suitable for your voice. The Pitch Accuracy Test will help you work on your pitch control. The Pitch Monitor can help you monitor your sung notes on a virtual piano, and Pitch Training provides various vocal warm-ups and exercises for range and agility. Additionally, the search feature allows you to find songs with the correct vocal range and difficulty level. Finally, the Singing Course covers music theory and practical tips for singing.
If you're interested in learning more about specific elements of singing, check out the articles on breathing, voice registers, and vocal health. Don't forget to practice regularly and have fun!