Singing Guide: The Surfaris
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The Surfaris were a Southern Californian surf rock band, best known for their hit instrumental "Wipe Out." The band was formed in 1962 in Glendora, California, by drummer Ron Wilson, along with his friends Jim Fuller, Pat Connolly and Bob Berryhill.
One of the most unique aspects of The Surfaris' sound is their use of a walking bass line as the main riff for many of their songs. This style is particularly effective in "Wipe Out," where the bass line sets up a driving, infectious beat that has become a defining sound of surf music.
Much of the band's music is built around simple, catchy melodies, making it accessible for beginners looking to learn how to play surf rock. Some of their most popular songs include "Surfer Joe," "Point Panic," and "Surfari."
If you're looking to learn how to sing or play like The Surfaris, there are a few important techniques to keep in mind. First and foremost is understanding the importance of rhythm and timing. Surf rock is characterized by its driving, up-tempo rhythm, and it's important to be able to stay in time with the beat.
Another key technique is mastering the walking bass line, which is a fundamental element of much of The Surfaris' music. This can be accomplished by practicing regular bass exercises and scales, as well as studying the band's music and replicating their bass lines.
In addition to these core techniques, it's important to focus on developing a strong sense of breath control for singing, and to experiment with different types of vocal distortion to capture The Surfaris' signature sound. Singing along with their songs in order to understand how the band uses pitch and melody in their music can be extremely helpful for this.
As far as resources go, Singing Carrots offers a number of great tools to help you learn how to master surf rock and The Surfaris' unique sound. Starting with the vocal range test can give you a good sense of where your voice fits in relation to the band's music, while the pitch accuracy test can help you train your ear to better match pitch.
Practicing with the Pitch Training program on Singing Carrots may also help you develop your vocal control, while the Vocal Pitch Monitor can be a useful tool for refining your sense of pitch and melody.
Overall, if you're looking to learn how to sing or play like The Surfaris, take the time to master the fundamentals of rhythm, timing, and bass playing, and experiment with different techniques to find your own unique voice within the surf rock genre. With practice and dedication, you can capture the spirit of this iconic band and their timeless music.