Singing Guide: Supertramp
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Supertramp has been one of the most prominent British bands of the last century. Their sound is recognizable thanks to the unique vocals of frontman Roger Hodgson, who combines falsetto with chest voice and who has been praised for his distinctive lyrical style. In this article, we'll explore his unique vocal technique and provide some tips for aspiring singers who want to sound like him.
Roger Hodgson's Vocal Technique
One of the most distinctive aspects of Hodgson's voice is his use of falsetto. This singing technique produces a high-pitched voice and is often used to emphasize emotion or add contrast to a song. It's a challenging skill to master, but luckily there are plenty of exercises available to help you improve your falsetto. One good way to start is by practicing with How to Twang Exercise video offered by Singing Carrots. Additionally, you may try the Farinelli Breathing technique used by many opera singers and incorporated into modern singing techniques, which can be found here: Farinelli Breathing.
Hodgson's chest voice, on the other hand, is smooth and clear. He has the ability to switch between falsetto and chest voice within the same song, which creates a beautiful contrast. One way to develop a smooth-sounding chest voice is by practicing vocal warm-ups, such as the 3 Minute Warm Up featured on Singing Carrots: 3 Minute Warm Up.
Another aspect of Hodgson's vocal technique is his lyricism. He has a distinctive way of enunciating his words, which adds a lot of emotional depth to his songs. To improve your articulation, try the finger bite exercise, which can be found on Singing Carrots' website: Finger Bite.
Songs to Showcase Roger Hodgson's Vocal Technique
Some of the most iconic Supertramp songs are the ones that best showcase Roger Hodgson's unique vocal style. These include:
- "Give a Little Bit" - This upbeat hit features a catchy melody and a great mix of falsetto and chest voice. For those who want to work on breath support to improve falsetto, the Sustain Vocal exercise can assist: Sustain Vocal.
- "The Logical Song" - This song's opening melody features some soaring high notes and examples of Hodgson's falsetto technique. It's also an excellent example of Hodgson's signature lyricism.
- "Dreamer" - In addition to showcasing Hodgson's falsetto and excellent phrasing, this song features a well-crafted melody that allows his vocals to shine. Singers that struggle with keeping on-pitch would benefit from taking the Pitch accuracy test offered on the Singing Carrots platform.
Tips for Aspiring Singers
If you want to learn how to sing like Roger Hodgson, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Practice your falsetto regularly to nail the distinctive sound that Hodgson was famous for.
- Work on your chest voice to get a smooth and clear tone like Hodgson's.
- Focus on phrasing and enunciation to elevate your singing to Hodgson's standard.
- Warm up before every practice session, Singing Carrots provides several videos to serve this purpose, such as Humming or Singing Comfort Zone.
- Use Singing Carrots' educational singing course to gain insights and knowledge in singing technique while tracking your progress on the way.
- Experiment with different types of music to find your own voice and style.
By following these tips and incorporating the resources provided by Singing Carrots, you'll be able to learn to sing like Roger Hodgson in no time.