Singing Guide: Little River Band
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Little River Band (LRB) is a popular Australian rock band that has been delighting audiences with their songs for over four decades. Formed in Melbourne in 1975, the band has had numerous hits like "Lonesome Loser," "Cool Change," "The Night Owls," and "Reminiscing." Their unique blend of rock, pop, and classic American soul has made them a favorite among fans worldwide. In this article, we will discuss how to learn singing like Little River Band.
Little River Band’s Singing Technique
LRB’s vocal style can be traced back to their American soul influences like The Temptations and The Four Tops. The group's founding members took advantage of rich and beautiful harmony with their vocal arrangements.
One of the most notable aspects of LRB's singing technique is their use of harmonies. The band's ability to create stunning harmonies can be heard on almost all their popular songs. Few other groups at that time could match their harmonies perfectly.
Another key element of Little River Band's singing technique is their approach to phrasing. Lead vocalist Glenn Shorrock is known for his clear and emotive delivery. His ability to use dynamics in his singing brings out different emotions in each song.
Songs showcasing Little River Band’s technique
If you want to learn to sing like Little River Band, you need to focus on their harmonies and phrasing. Check out some of their hit songs:
- "Reminiscing" - This song is a great example of LRB's approach to harmonies and Glenn Shorrock's excellent phrasing.
- "Cool Change" - In this tune, the harmonies are beautifully crafted and perfectly placed, and Glenn Shorrock showcases his fantastic phrasing skills.
- "Lady" - This song's harmonies are melodic and breathtaking.
Practical advice
If you want to learn to sing like Little River Band, here are some practical tips:
- Sing with dynamics: Varying your voice's volume helps you bring out different emotions in a song. It’s would help if you tried singing softly, then build up to the climax, then return to a softer tone.
- Learn to harmonize: Sing with others to develop your harmony skills. Practice with a friend or use Little River Band’s "Vocal Pitch Monitor" to help you learn how to harmonize.
- Use tools: Use Singing Carrots’ "Vocal range test" and "Pitch accuracy test" to determine your vocal range and improve your pitch accuracy.
- Take care of your voice: Your voice is like a musical instrument and requires care and attention. Drink plenty of water, avoid smoking, and avoid shouting or screaming.
Singing Carrots Resources
For more information on Little River Band's singing technique and other singing resources, visit Singing Carrots’ articles and exercises:
- Voice registers & vocal break
- Breath support
- Open mouth & throat
- Contemporary vocal techniques: Heavy modal, Twang, Belting
- Vocal distortion & Growling
- Singing with Vibrato
- Articulation
- Why do we sing out of pitch?
- How to find your own authentic voice
- Vocal health
- How posture affects your singing
- How to overcome stage fright
- Tips for performing on stage