Singing Guide: The Go-Betweens
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The Go-Betweens were an indie rock band from Brisbane, Australia, known for their clever lyrics, guitar-driven melodies, and the interplay between the male and female vocals.
The late Grant McLennan, one of the founding members, was the band's primary singer, and his voice had a distinctive, mellow quality with just a hint of raspiness that often framed the lyrics with both sadness and hope.
To learn how to sing like the Go-Betweens, start by focusing on breath control, particularly when singing longer phrases. This will help you maintain the laid-back, smooth feeling of McLennan's singing.
Next, practice enunciating clearly, especially when singing McLennan's clever lyrics. This will allow your listeners to fully appreciate and understand the story you're telling through your singing.
Finally, work on building a strong connection between your voice and your emotions. The Go-Betweens didn't just sing their songs, they inhabited them, conveying a deep sense of longing and nostalgia through their music.
To get started, test your own vocal range using Singing Carrots' Vocal Range Test. Then work on your pitch accuracy with the Pitch Accuracy Test. Once you know your own range and can stay on pitch, start experimenting with the Vocal Pitch Monitor to help you fine-tune your sound.
From there, dive into Singing Carrots' educational singing course to learn the fundamentals of singing and get tips on perfecting your style. And don't forget to use Singing Carrots' search tools to find songs that work within your vocal range, and to explore the vocal ranges of famous singers, including those of The Go-Betweens themselves.
With practice and patience, you'll be singing like Grant McLennan and The Go-Betweens in no time!