Singing Guide: ZZ Ward

Singing Guide: ZZ Ward

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

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How to Learn Singing Like ZZ Ward: Bluesy, Raspy, and Soulful

ZZ Ward, the American Blues rock singer, songwriter, and musician, is known for her blending of blues, hip hop, rock, and soul genres. She adds her unique spin and showcases her distinct voice that's versatile yet full of character and emotion. Her voice is a beautiful combination of natural raspiness in her low range and a warm but powerful tone in her high range. Her style involves applying unique phrasing, inflection, and vibrato to her songs, which creates her signature sound.

Understanding ZZ Ward's Unique Vocal Technique

To learn singing like ZZ Ward, the first step is to understand her vocal technique. Her unique style involves:

  • Using her natural raspiness to add character and soulfulness to the lower notes in the song.
  • Applying a warm and full-bodied tone to the higher notes.
  • Applying a bluesy and soulful phrasing and inflection to the lyrics.
  • Adding a tasteful and subtle vibrato on sustained notes to add emotion and character.

Practical Tips for Learning ZZ Ward's Singing Style

Follow these practical tips to learn to sing like ZZ Ward:

  1. Practice ZZ Ward's vocal warm-ups and exercises to develop your voice's range, agility, and control. Use Singing Carrots' Pitch Training to work on your pitch accuracy and range.
  2. Analyze your voice to understand its unique qualities. Use Singing Carrots' Vocal Range Test to determine your vocal range.
  3. Listen to and study ZZ Ward's songs, phrasing, and vocal technique to learn how she adds character and emotion to her singing. Use Singing Carrots' Song Search to find songs that match your vocal range, preference, and difficulty level.
  4. Work on your breathing technique to enhance your voice's power, control, and endurance. Use Singing Carrots' Breathing Basics to aid your breath support.
  5. Learn how to effectively interpret lyrics and connect with them emotionally to bring them to life.
  6. Develop your articulation skills to deliver words and lyrics clearly and with proper diction. Use Singing Carrots' Articulation to work on your articulation skills.
  7. Work on your stage presence, confidence, and performance skills to create a captivating live performance.

ZZ Ward's Songs to Showcase Her Vocal Technique

ZZ Ward's unique vocal style is evident in many of her songs, but some stand out in showcasing it:

  • Put the Gun Down - This single features her singing in a bluesy rasp in the verses and smooth, soulful tone in the choruses, showing off her capability to switch effortlessly between styles.
  • Til the Casket Drops – This song showcases her vocals with a passionate and dynamic performance with plenty of power and emotion.
  • Marry Well – ZZ Ward's iconic vocal stretching and twanging out the lyrics reflect the strong emotions in the song.
  • 365 Days – She applies a subtle vibrato in the sustained notes in the chorus, making the song emotive.

Conclusion

Learning singing like ZZ Ward involves understanding her unique vocal style and incorporating it into your own. Follow these practical tips and leverage Singing Carrots' pitch training, song search, and vocal range test resources to enhance your voice and learn to sing like one of the most exciting blues rock singers around.

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