Singing Guide: The Grass Roots
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The Grass Roots were a folk-rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1965. They are known for their harmonies and catchy melodies, and their music has been popular for almost six decades. In this article, we will explore how to learn singing like The Grass Roots.
One of the unique vocal techniques The Grass Roots utilized was their tight harmonies. In songs like "Let's Live for Today" and "Midnight Confessions," the band's harmonies were front and center. To achieve this, practice singing in groups. Singing in a choir or vocal group will help you develop your ear and learn how to blend your voice with others. Singing along with recordings of The Grass Roots and other artists with tight harmonies can also help. For example, the Beach Boys and The Beatles are both known for their excellent harmonies.
Another technique worth noting is the falsetto, which was an integral part of The Grass Roots' sound. The falsetto is a high-pitched vocal register that resonates in the head, giving singers a unique tone. The song "Temptation Eyes" is an excellent example of The Grass Roots' use of falsetto. To train your falsetto, Singing Carrots' Vocal Pitch Monitor and Pitch Training are useful resources. Also, check out Singing Carrots' video on Voice Registers & Vocal Break to learn more about different vocal registers.
Breathing is a fundamental aspect of singing, and The Grass Roots were masters at it. Using good breath support will help you produce clearer, more powerful notes. Practice the Farinelli breathing technique, and use the Breathing Basics and Breath Support resources from Singing Carrots to help you improve your breathing technique.
The Grass Roots' music is quite lively, so to match that energy, you need to sing with a lot of emotion and passion. Check out Singing Carrots' resource on singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking for more information.
Finally, The Grass Roots have several popular songs, including "Midnight Confessions," "Sooner or Later," "Let's Live for Today," and "Temptation Eyes." Use Singing Carrots' search songs by vocal range and song search tools to find tunes that suit your voice and practice performing these songs. Remember to take care of your vocal health, and always warm up before starting a practice session or performance.
To conclude, singing like The Grass Roots requires mastering tight harmonies, the use of falsetto and breathing techniques, emotional singing, and practicing with popular songs. Use Singing Carrots' resources to help you develop these skills further, and don't forget to have fun along the way.