Learning How to Sing Like Lou Reed

Lou Reed was known for his distinctive vocal sound, which blends elements of rock, folk, and punk music. Reed's style is characterized by his use of a low, talk-singing voice, poetic lyrics, and a rebellious attitude that has made him an icon of rock 'n' roll.

• Embrace Your Voice's Unique Qualities

  One of the most important aspects of singing like Lou Reed is to embrace your voice's unique qualities. While there are certainly aspects of Reed's style that anyone can emulate, at the end of the day, what makes his voice so distinctive is that it's uniquely his own. So, focus on honing in on what makes your voice special and work with that.

• Pay Attention to Your Posture

  How you position your body can have a big impact on your vocal ability. To sing like Lou Reed, try to keep your posture relaxed and open. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and keep your chest open and lifted. This can help you breathe more freely, which can make it easier to hit the low, talk-singing notes that are a hallmark of Reed's style.

• Work on Your Diction

  Another aspect of Reed's style is his clear, crisp diction. To achieve this, focus on enunciating each word clearly and precisely. Practice speaking in a clear, deliberate manner to help improve your diction.

• Practice Breathing Exercises

  Breath control is key to achieving Reed's signature vocal style. To improve your breath control, practice breathing exercises, such as the ones found in Singing Carrot's breathing basics article. In particular, focus on diaphragmatic breathing, which involves breathing from your diaphragm rather than your chest.

• Learn Reed's Iconic Songs

  To get a better sense of Reed's style, it's important to study his music. Some of his most iconic songs include "Walk on the Wild Side," "Perfect Day," and "Sweet Jane." Focus on the characteristics of his voice that make it so unique, like his use of a low, talk-singing style, poetic lyrics and a rebellious attitude.

• Use Singing Carrot's Vocal Training Resources

  Singing Carrots offers several resources that can help you learn how to sing like Lou Reed, including their educational singing course, vocal range test, and pitch accuracy test. There are also several videos in their collection that can help you hone in on specific aspects of Reed's style, such as his use of chest voice and voice breaks.

With a little bit of practice and the help of these resources, you can learn how to sing like Lou Reed and develop your own signature style.