Richard O’Brien is best known for writing and starring in the iconic musical comedy The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Not only is he a talented writer and actor, but he also has an impressive singing voice that is instantly recognizable. If you’re a fan of his work and want to learn how to sing like Richard O’Brien, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore his unique vocal technique and provide practical tips and Singing Carrots resources to help you learn to sing like him.

Vocal technique: Richard O’Brien’s unique sound

The first thing to note is that Richard O’Brien has a very distinct singing voice. His voice is often described as quirky, theatrical, and sometimes even a bit sinister. To achieve this unique sound, O’Brien uses several vocal techniques that you can try:

1. Emphasize nasality: Richard O’Brien often sings with a slightly nasal tone to his voice, giving it a unique character. You can try to emulate this by practicing singing through your nose by pinching it shut and humming, and then opening it slightly and singing. This will help you produce a nasal tone similar to Richard O'Brien's.
2. Utilize vocal fry: Another technique Richard O’Brien uses is vocal fry, a low, creaky sound that can add depth and texture to your voice. To do this, try starting from the lowest note in your range and gradually making your voice creakier until it sounds like a fry.
3. Experiment with dynamics: Richard O’Brien often switches between softer and louder notes to create a dynamic sound. Try practicing singing phrases with varying volume and pitch to add interest and variety.

Songs to showcase Richard O’Brien’s singing style

To really learn how to sing like Richard O'Brien, it’s important to study his work. Here are some of his most iconic songs:

• “Science Fiction/Double Feature” - The opening number to The Rocky Horror Picture Show sets the stage for the entire musical and includes some of Richard O'Brien's most recognizable vocals.
• “Time Warp” - Another classic from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this upbeat and rhythmic song showcases Richard O'Brien's ability to sing with energy and enthusiasm.
• “Sweet Transvestite” - This sultry and seductive number gives you a chance to practice emphasizing nasality and using vocal fry to add depth to your voice.

Practical Singing Carrots resources to help you learn

Singing Carrots offers several resources to help you learn to sing like Richard O'Brien:

• The Vocal Range Test can help determine your vocal range and see how it compares to O’Brien’s.
• Pitch Training includes warm-ups, exercises, and games for pitch accuracy and flexibility.
• The Song Search function lets you find songs that match your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference.
• The Educative Singing Course is a 21-lesson program that covers singing theory and practical tips.
• The Artist Vocal Ranges function lets you explore vocal ranges of famous singers, including Richard O’Brien.

By practicing Richard O’Brien's unique vocal techniques, studying his iconic songs, and using Singing Carrots resources, you can learn to sing like him and add his quirky and theatrical style to your own performances.