Singing Guide: The La's
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you're looking to learn how to sing like The La's, you are in for a treat! With their catchy and upbeat tunes, The La's made a name for themselves in the Britpop and alternative music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their unique sound relies heavily on lead singer Lee Mavers' distinct voice, characterized by its nasal, almost whiny quality, and punk-inspired delivery.
To start, a great way to get a sense of the unique style of The La's is to listen to some of their most famous songs, such as "There She Goes" and "Feelin'". Pay attention to the way that Lee Mavers uses his voice to create a distinct sound that sets The La's apart from other bands of the era.
Once you have a good idea of what you're aiming for, it's important to focus on some of the specifics of singing like Lee Mavers. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- Use nasal resonance: Lee Mavers' nasal style gives his voice a unique tone that is crucial to The La's sound. To achieve this, focus on singing through your nose instead of your throat. You can practice this by humming or "mumming" a song instead of singing at full volume. This will help you isolate the nasal resonance and get comfortable with it.
- Relaxed delivery: Lee Mavers sings with a punk-inspired delivery that sounds almost effortless. To achieve this, you need to avoid putting too much tension on your vocal cords. Focus on relaxing your throat and letting the sound flow out naturally.
- Focus on pitch accuracy: The La's music relies heavily on catchy melodies and tight harmonies. To emulate this, it's important to focus on pitch accuracy in your singing. Use Singing Carrots' pitch accuracy test and pitch training resources to sharpen your skills in this area.
- Warm up before singing: To protect your voice and get the most out of your practice sessions, make sure to warm up properly before singing. Singing Carrots' Farinelli breathing and 3-minute warm-up exercises are great tools to use before diving into a practice session.
By incorporating these tips into your practice routine and utilizing the many resources available on Singing Carrots, you'll be well on your way to singing like Lee Mavers of The La's in no time!