What Makes Karen Carpenter So Special? | Carpenters - Superstar | Vocal Coach Reacts & Analysis

Beth Roars looks at the secret sauce behind Karen Carpenter's legendary voice in our latest deep dive of Carpenters Superstar. Renowned as one of the greatest singers of all time, Karen's vocal mastery is truly unparalleled. In this video, we unpack the vocal techniques that set her apart, from her extraordinary breath control-where she seemingly sings without breathing-to her use of vocal fry and multiple onsets that add rich emotional colour to every note.

We Explore
- How Karen's resonance shifts create an emotional journey for listeners
- Intricate percussion elements and drums
- The History Of This Cover Song

Listen closely to her rendition of "Superstar" originally penned by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, and see why her tone shifts and vocal cry make this version so gorgeous and unforgettable. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Karen Carpenter's music, this video reveals the special sauces that make her voice so captivating and timeless.

💥 Related Artists:
This video is perfect for fans of Karen Carpenter, The Carpenters, Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Olivia Newton-John, Anne Murray, Carly Simon, Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick, and other timeless vocalists known for their emotional depth and smooth, expressive tones.
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Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Karen Carpenter's Unique Voice
01:42 Wild Breath!
03:18 Who Wrote This Song?
04:29 Why Is Her Voice So Special?
04:40 How She Gets Onto Notes To Make You Cry
05:05 The 'I Love You' Moment
05.23 She Was A Drummer
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🎵 Song Credits

Producer: Jack Daugherty
Songwriters: Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell

Artist Origin: Downey, California, United States
Date and Location:
* Album Release: May 14, 1971 Wikipedia
* Single Release: August 12, 1971
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#carpenters #karencarpenter #superstar #BethRoars #VocalCoachReacts

[BethRoars]

Grab a limited edition signed copy of my album "Fable"

Stream my music on Spotify and follow me for the latest releases.

Join my Patreon community for exclusive content, early access, and more!

[paulinestraker]

After all the years since her passing, for me, Karen is still the most expressive and technically proficient vocalist there has ever been.

OMG!
She has the sweetest voice I've ever heard in my entire life!

[gojojo]

The only voice that can soothe your soul and break your heart at the same time!

[Progressive_Canadian]

Karen Carpenter's voice is the epitome of a true alto. Unlike many singers who strain to hit the lower register, Karen's voice was naturally rich and resonant, effortlessly gliding through those deeper tones without a hint of struggle. Her technique was flawless, and she was wise to stay within her natural range, avoiding anything that might compromise her signature sound. Her voice wasn’t just technically perfect—it was soulful, warm, and incredibly emotive. Karen Carpenter truly set the standard for what an alto voice should be. 💖🎶

[justafreethinker]

Pitch perfect, perfect pitch. There are great singers and legendary singers and then there is Karen Carpenter. Untouchable. We miss you so much Karen. RIP Angel.

[guanyin]

The most perfect voice of all time. Gone way too soon. RIP Karen 😢💔

[Mrvictorfernandes]

The fact that so many people over the years have been moved by Karen's gift shows the impact the sonority of her voice has in our respective psyche. It's exquisite and genuine - almost religious - in that regard. With all the threat and turmoil in the world, her voice offers solace and refuge to those willing to seek it, like a warm consoling hug that dries your eyes and loves you unconditionally.

[carolmartin]

Every once and a while someone comes along who is a musical standout. We all have lists of who they are. Karen Carpenter is on mine. The song? Heartbreaking, emotional, beautiful...just the perfect song for her to sing. 😢❤

[christopherglover]

Karen had great tonal quality, amazing breath control and a haunting quality to her voice but I’ve always thought her greatest attribute as a singer was that she sang “to you” and not “at you” ….she draws you in as a listener, as if she’s singing just to you! Amazing Voice! ❤

[scottjb]

Stunning, I've always loved her voice. Thank you for taking some time to talk about it.

[ruelsmith]

Rumor is that she nailed every song in the studio in one take. If that's true, that's incredible!

[charliestevenson]

Karen was an excellent drummer as well and used to sing while she played them.

[nostro]

Always brings me to tears...it's the emotion, nothing forced, totally natural. You totally feel what she is singing about.

[RedwoodGeorge]

When I was a kid, my parents took me to see The Carpenters at our local theater - the show was flawless. They had so many hits that the entire show was a "best of" exercise.

I remember seeing a YouTube video where they were looking at Karen's voice on an oscilloscope and found that she was, quite literally, pitch perfect. She hit the notes with such precision that the presenter was quite shocked that a singer could be that spot-on.

The last part of the legacy was her passing much too soon, and bringing light to an illness that, until then, was hardly ever acknowledged. If only we had known more in those days, she could have been making music much, much longer...

[CowmanUK]

My dad died 20 years ago. He loved Karen and The Carpenters so much. He'd LOVED to have seen Youtube videos of The Carpenters, but alas died too soon. I watch them now and appreciate them, because my dad is within me. Same blood, same genetics. I like to think he's appreciating them along with me. And we loved this video, thanks.

[gingergardner]

Her voice is so soothing and warm and clean. I grew up with her music She and her brother I'm so thankful. she was1 of the reasons I wanted to learn to sing. And play music.🎵💜

[markl]

Two voices that are simply ear candy & that I never tire of hearing - Karen & Judith Durham (from the Aussie 60's folk group - The Seekers)

[Melly]

I always loved singing along with her because I'm an alto. However ... of course, I never had a voice like hers, lol. But no one else did or has since. She sounded like no one else! I was just talking to my mom about her and said if she came out today she'd probably be ridiculously overlooked because she didn't do runs or huge belts. I love seeing her here at the forefront. Thanks for bringing her back!

[EricNess-scrh]

The clearest female voice I've ever heard