Singing Guide: Lipps Inc.
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Imagine this scenario: You're in the 70s and everyone's into disco. You want to be a disco diva, but have no idea how to make it happen. Fear not! In this article, we're going to break down the vocal technique of Lipps Inc. and their iconic hit "Funky Town". With these tips, you'll be ready to hit the dance floor and show off your best moves.
To start, let's talk about Lipps Inc.'s distinctive style. The lead singer, Cynthia Johnson, had a powerhouse voice that was equal parts sultry and energetic. One of the key elements of her technique was her use of vibrato. Vibrato is the rapid oscillation in pitch that adds a shimmering quality to a singer's voice. You can hear it in Johnson's delivery of "won't you take me to" in "Funky Town". To master vibrato, try the exercise provided in the Singing Carrots video library. Practicing vibrato regularly will add depth and emotion to your vocals, like it did for Johnson.
Next, let's talk about "Funky Town" itself. One of the challenges of this song's vocal delivery is its repetition. The same phrases are repeated multiple times throughout the song, which can make it feel predictable and boring. To keep the song fresh, Johnson used a wide range of dynamics and articulations. By emphasizing different words and syllables in each iteration of the chorus, she made sure that each repetition felt unique. To learn more about these techniques and keep your own rehearsals fresh, check out the Singing Carrots article on articulation.
In addition to technique, it's also important to consider the genre when mastering Lipps Inc.'s technique. Disco music is all about energy, so you'll want to make sure you have enough breath to carry you through an entire set. To improve your breath support, try the Farinelli Breathing exercise in the Singing Carrots video library. This exercise will strengthen your diaphragm and increase your lung capacity, allowing you to sing with greater power and control.
Hopefully, this breakdown of Lipps Inc.'s technique and advice on Singing Carrots resources will help you move past the "pretenders" category and onto the disco ball dance floor. Put these tips into practice and get ready to take on "Funky Town" like a true disco diva.