Singing Guide: Simon & Garfunkel
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Simon & Garfunkel were one of the most successful musical duos of the 1960s. Their songs, notable for their warm harmonies and insightful lyrics, have become classics and influenced generations of musicians.
If you aspire to sing like Simon & Garfunkel, mastering your harmonies is essential. Their unique blend of voices has created some of the most beautiful harmonies in music history. For a great introduction to their harmonies, focus on the song "Scarborough Fair." The tune starts with Simon singing the first verse before Garfunkel joins in with the harmony.
When learning to sing like Simon & Garfunkel, it's also important to pay close attention to their phrasing. Listen to how they seamlessly move between notes, never sounding choppy or disconnected. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is a great example of smooth phrasing. Try singing along with the song and pay attention to how they connect every note.
Breath control is a vital part of achieving the duo’s singing style. Practice breathing exercises to increase your lung capacity; it helps you achieve Simon and Garfunkel's signature long, drawn-out notes. In addition to breath support, sing with an open mouth; It helps with attaining clear enunciation and also helps improve the sound quality.
Register breaks in Simon and Garfunkel's voices give their harmonies depth and character. They often switch between their head and chest registers to create a dynamic contrast. “The Sound of Silence” illustrates this quite well. Listen carefully to the way Simon switches to his head register when he sings the words “sound of silence,” followed by a return to his chest voice.
Finally, don't forget to practice! Sing quietly and gently to create a delicate and intimate atmosphere in your practice room. "The Boxer" is a great song for practicing this approach. Also, you can join our vocal training feature to improve your singing. The training utilizes gamification to make learning easier and more engaging. The breathing exercises and vocal warm-ups featured in this course will enhance your singing in no time.
Incorporate Singing Carrots’ educational resources to enhance your singing. The articles on vocal health and vocal distortion will give you an in-depth understanding of voice control. Additionally, check out our voice registers and vocal breaks article for more information on register utilization. Our breathing basics article explains the importance of breath support for singing. All these articles will help you take the necessary steps for advancing your singing skills.
Happy singing!