Singing Guide: Looking Glass

Singing Guide: Looking Glass

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Looking Glass was an American rock band from the early 1970s, known for their hit song "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" which topped the charts in 1972. The lead vocalist for Looking Glass was Elliot Lurie, who had a high, clear tenor voice with a distinctive country twang.

If you want to learn to sing like Lurie, it's important to listen carefully to his phrasing and the way he uses dynamics to emphasize certain words or lines in the song. Practice imitating his vocal style by singing along with recordings of his songs, paying attention to the nuances of his voice.

One of the key techniques that Lurie uses in many of his songs is vibrato. Singers can learn to produce vibrato in their own voices by practicing using their diaphragm to control the flow of air as they sing. For a helpful tutorial on using vibrato, check out Singing Carrots' video "Beggars Bounce" here.

Another important aspect of Lurie's singing is his ability to convey emotion through his voice. This is particularly evident in songs like "Brandy," where he uses his voice to tell a vivid and compelling story. To develop your own emotional range as a singer, try to connect with the lyrics of the songs you're singing on a personal level. Think about what the song means to you and what emotions you want to convey to your audience.

In addition to vibrato and emotional expression, there are many other important techniques that singers can learn to improve their overall vocal performance. Singing Carrots offers a range of helpful articles and exercises on topics like breath support, open mouth and throat technique, and vocal resonance, as well as a comprehensive singing course for beginners.

For songs similar to Looking Glass' style and featuring similar vocal techniques, Singing Carrots offers a song search tool that allows you to filter by genre, difficulty level, and vocal range. By choosing songs that match your own vocal range and style, you can continue to hone your skills and develop your unique singing voice.

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