Singing Guide: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Creedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band formed by John Fogerty in 1967. They were known for their unique blend of rock, folk, and blues styles, and catchy, sing-along choruses. One of the standout elements of their music was Fogerty's distinctive vocals, with a gritty, soulful sound that has inspired countless singers over the years. To learn how to sing like Fogerty, there are a few key things you can focus on.
One is developing a strong, clear tone. Fogerty had a very pure, direct way of singing, without a lot of embellishments or showy techniques. This means he relied on a lot of good old-fashioned breath support and control to get his sound. Singing Carrots has some great articles and videos to help you with these fundamental skills, such as Breathing Basics and Breath Support. These will give you a solid foundation to build on.
Another important element of Fogerty's singing was his ability to convey emotion through his voice. He often sang with a raw, passionate intensity that really connected with listeners. To tap into this aspect of his style, focus on bringing more feeling into your own singing. Try to really connect with the lyrics and the story behind the song you're singing, and let that emotion come through in your voice. Singing Carrots has an excellent article on this topic called Singing with Intuition, Skills, Emotion, and Thinking that delves into these concepts in more depth.
Finally, to really get a feel for Fogerty's style and learn how to emulate it, you need to listen to his music! Some of the classic Creedence Clearwater Revival songs that really showcase his vocal technique include "Proud Mary," "Bad Moon Rising," "Green River," and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" Once you've listened to these songs and gotten a sense of his style, try singing along with them and really study how he delivers each phrase. This will help you internalize his approach and start incorporating it into your own singing.
In addition to these tips, Singing Carrots has a wealth of resources to help you develop your singing skills and learn more about the art of singing. From the Vocal Pitch Monitor to Search Songs, there are tools and exercises for every level of singer. And if you're just getting started, be sure to check out the Singing Course, which covers all the basics of singing theory and technique in a step-by-step format. With these resources and a little bit of practice, you'll be well on your way to singing like John Fogerty in no time!