Singing Guide: The Flamingos
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The Flamingos were a pioneering doo-wop group in the 1950s and 1960s, famous for their tight harmonies and elegant vocal arrangements. Learning to sing like The Flamingos involves understanding their unique approach to harmony and melody and developing a strong falsetto. Whether you're interested in doo-wop or vocal harmony in general, following the tips and resources below can help you achieve the distinctive sound of The Flamingos.
Vocal Technique
The Flamingos are renowned for their tight, complex harmonies and the use of falsetto singing. Falsetto, in particular, is a critical element of The Flamingos' sound, and developing this technique can help you create the group's unique vocal quality. The following tips can help you learn how to sing falsetto:
- Start by practicing simple exercises, such as scales, arpeggios, and interval training, to get more comfortable using your falsetto voice.
- Experiment with different tones. A high, breathy falsetto produces a different effect than a more full-voiced falsetto.
- Practice transitioning between falsetto and full voice, as The Flamingos shift between the two frequently in their songs.
Songs to Study
To learn The Flamingos' vocal style, we recommend studying some of their classic songs, such as:
- "I Only Have Eyes for You": This song showcases the group's tight harmonies and falsetto singing.
- "Lovers Never Say Goodbye": This ballad highlights the group's softer side and emphasizes their ability to create a melancholy, romantic mood.
- "I'll Be Home": This up-tempo number features complex harmonies and an energetic vocal arrangement.
Singing Carrots Resources
Singing Carrots has several resources that can help you learn to sing like The Flamingos:
- Vocal range test: Knowing your vocal range can help you identify the types of songs you can sing most comfortably, which can help you focus your practice sessions.
- Pitch accuracy test: The Flamingos' complex harmonies demand pitch precision, and this test can help you identify any areas where you need improvement.
- Vocal Pitch Monitor: Using a tool like this can help you visualize your falsetto singing and refine your technique.
- Pitch Training - Educational Singing Game: This interactive vocal training program is a great way to develop your falsetto and hone your pitch accuracy.
- Search songs by vocal range: Singing Carrots' Song Search tool can help you find songs with the same vocal range as Flamingos' classics, so you can practice your harmony singing.
- Vocal ranges of famous singers: You can use the Vocal Ranges of Famous Singers tool to compare The Flamingos' vocal ranges with your own.
- Educational singing course: For a deeper dive into the fundamentals of vocal harmony and falsetto singing, you can take Singing Carrots' Educational Singing Course.
Overall, to learn to sing like The Flamingos, you must focus on developing your falsetto, exploring your vocal range, and practicing precise harmonies. By studying their classic songs and using Singing Carrots' resources, you can learn the unique vocal techniques of The Flamingos and showcase them in your own performances.