Carrie Underwood’s career got a jump-start with her appearance on American Idol and has never slowed down since. She just seems to get vocally better and better all the time. In a business that is known for “here today and gone tomorrow” careers, Carrie Underwood seems to be here to stay.
One reason for this is, not surprisingly, is her likeability and just plain niceness. Being easy to get along with is one of the factors that, at least in the early stages of a career, may mean the difference between staying power and being washed out, or just not asked back a second time, for a gig, a recording session, or a backup singer job. The ability to “play well with others” is just as important in the ego driven entertainment world as it is on the playground.
Of course you also have to be able to deliver the goods vocally. So what are the qualities about her voice that are so appealing to so many? The first thing I notice about her singing is evenness of tone. It’s the same voice from the bottom to the top, without a great deal of “yodeling” or letting go too much in the higher notes. The ability to sing with power all the way to the top of her range means she can do material that is more crossover; from country to pop and even rock.
Rather than trying to shout all the notes in chest voice, Carrie has learned the fine art of mixing at the top of the voice so her high notes soar effortlessly but with more than enough power to pull off the harder edged material that she excels at. Mixing is a vocal technique that is healthier for your voice and results in a much more sustainable and long career without the vocal problems experienced by so many.
So if you want a career like Carrie Underwood’s emulating her niceness, along with her great vocal technique would be a good place to start!
I wish you all the best as you reach for your dreams! Tricia Grey, MM
