Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive - Isolated Vocals - Analysis and Tutorial + Recording Production Tips

[@mnelson56]

When the brothers blend in harmony it is breathtaking. Seriously, no pun intended.

[@kentamplin]

🕺

[@brendajones9321]

Barry Gibb, sole surviving BeeGee, is an absolute world treasure... just as his brothers were.

[@valsuarez]

Love the story about getting pulled over! Bee Gee's are amazingly talented!!!

[@kentamplin]

Yes they are!

[@jackielh1]

They actually did this music for Saturday night fever in a Chateau in France. They said they were working on their new album when Robert Stigwood ask them for songs to go with his movie he was producing, they ended up sending him a cassette of some of the songs they were planning for their new album. If you haven't watch it yet I recommend " How do you mend a broken heart" it delves into their career as the Bee Gees. Your videos are always very informative

[@amymarckel420]

When Justin Timberlake said in the HBO Max doc ‘How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’ that their voices together sounded like trumpets to him, I was like...yes! Because that’s exactly what I have always thought. Just so unbelievably talented.

[@kentamplin]

I agree!

[@susancohen8009]

Yes, their voices were instruments!@@kentamplin

[@kathykreiser5876]

wonderful for their era!

[@Theendlessriver77]

If you are able to listen to this song without dancing you’re a stronger person than me. 🕺

[@kentamplin]

🕺🕺🕺

[@Jmb93-w1w]

I think we're stronger for dancing.

[@MetalMistress888]

haha - I can't :-)

[@wesdavis8588]

Thats the ticket sunny

[@stacyhaworth5457]

Lol omg your so right I just wrote a comment ..and then saw yours ...ken is amazing

[@tylerhackner9731]

The falsetto is absolutely immaculate. Very horn like. 👍

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for watching, Tyler!

[@tylerhackner9731]

@@kentamplin you’re welcome 😊💃

[@loreengross6489]

BeeGees for no formal music training were Brilliant !!

[@TheBrownlj]

Thanks for this Ken. As an Aussie Bee Gees fan who has been a fan forever its awesome hearing your analysis of the legendary Bee Gees. A couple of things to say that you might not know. Barry started singing falsetto actually on the Main Course album. He was asked by the producer if he could scream in tune during the song Nights on Broadway. The result of which is the "Blaming it all" and the screaming towards the end of the song. The falsetto then appeared more regularly and in Fanny Be Tender he sang layers of his own voice as well as the falsetto, and the other boys mixed in as well (actually that is a very complicated song that made it virtually impossible to sing live due to all the layers of the different part singing so never was). All 3 boys by the way never received any singing lessons and cant read music at all. Which is interesting to me when I hear your analysis of Barry's falsetto and breath control. He wasnt taught how to sing so the result was that Staying Alive was not on his lists of favourites singing live. He did though and he personally felt it was abit breathless and went on and on and on as he says lol. He also suffered really bad back problems due to arthritis and had to put up with alot of pain singing Staying Alive. Could never understand why it would effect his back until seeing your analysis. I can understand that strain now. Fabulous analysis Ken. Would really love to hear more of your analysis on the Bee Gees. In my opinion the greatest songwriters ever and those 3 part harmonies like no other.

[@suzannerebro245]

Geniuses in figuring out electronica and using it but the voices are real and great and don't even think about the prolific writing. Unbelievable artists and human beings too. This much analysis by so many people means that they really made a lasting and very special impression on so many. Wish we still had them but we do, we have the music.

[@ЛюбаКуликова-ц9з]

Hello, from Russia ! I love this band.😍 The song is a hit. It is a pity, there is only one brother left, health to him !

[@kentamplin]

Gone too soon.

[@EtherealMaryJane]

Interesting observation on the "horn sound like" vocals.

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for listening!

[@Songbirdstress]

@@kentamplin You're on a roll Ken, talk about iconic tracks...thank you so much. I thank the Bug for bringing the BGs the recognition they deserve, I love Barry's new album. Their father was a Big Band leader, so there's that. Their eclectic cultural and geographical background makes them unique, they are like no other.

[@Secret_Agent_Mark]

I suggest to listen to "Stop, think again". Barry's falsetto often flows effortlessly into the saxophone solo's.

[@CamiMack5616]

I laughed so hard when Ken said that, but he's so right. I never thought of it like that, but it's true.

[@unify1135]

I am not a native person, I just am an English learner. When I listened to this dynamic song I googled to get a teacher who can teach me this specific song and I found you. I have great respect for you, great instructor. I want to be your student and do more for the rest of my life.🙏🙏🙏.

[@juliewillard1367]

I love the Bee Gees. Barry was my pin up when I was younger. I got to see him sadly without his brothers a while back and he was brilliant.

[@CamiMack5616]

He's one of my very favorite singers. What an amazing voice, and he's truly nice as a person. Okay, and yeah, he's incredibly handsome. 😊

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for watching, Playful Kitten!

[@ronneranthonylutasemais8923]

Very good!! Analizy LIVE OR DIE Bee Gees...

[@kentamplin]

Great suggestions!

[@stacygodfrey4939]

Love the Bee Gee’s! Amazingly talented group of Brothers, Andy included

[@kentamplin]

Couldn't agree more!

[@369SkinneR]

Awesome vid/ analysis as always!

[@virginiapledger7258]

Just happened to stumble across this video. The Bee Gees are my all-time favorite group. I enjoyed your analysis of them. I remember Barry saying in an interview that they approach songwriting by making sure there is always something going on in the song. There has to be something interesting with the lyrics or with the music throughout the whole song to keep the listener engaged. They always put something unexpected in their songs. That's what made them such brilliant songwriters.

[@jonthomas8569]

I take voice lessons for fun, and I love The Bee Gees. This was fascinating to watch and highly informative. I've always wanted to be able to do a Bee Gees falsetto song.

[@live2shredguy]

Omg their vocals are amazing!

[@kentamplin]

RIght?!

[@jayeginn5963]

"You can laugh" is actually "Music loud and women warm". Interesting, though, that you compare the way they attack notes to horn sections. Because they never learned how to read or write music, they would "sing" the sound effects, instrumental parts and melodies to the musicians who had to then repeat that on their individual instruments.

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for the info!

[@BaronMcCausland]

Spot-on analysis about the voices being presented as one would a 3 piece brass horn section. I never thought about it before you pointed it out; but, once you did, I had to laugh in a good way, because it is so true about singing horn-lines.

[@benjimartinnc]

Another great vocal analysis, Ken! I remember the Bee Gees saying that Stayin' Alive and the other songs that they wrote for Saturday Night Fever were actually recorded for another album that they were recording, but their manager, Robert Stigwood, who was producing the movie, told them he needs five songs for the film. The rest, of course, is history, and thanks for sharing!

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for the visit!

[@timroot2231]

Ken, we might be close in age, but I am a classically trained musician who has always loved pop music. Your videos have made me go back and listen to these great songs with new ears. Thanks so much. Tim

[@kentamplin]

That is awesome!

[@timfahey7127]

Ken's singing....smile, t-shirt AND The Bee Gees! What a way to start the morning. I am on my way to the treadmill and definitely know what will be on my mix.. Staying alive! Great video! Thank you👌👏

[@kentamplin]

😊

[@904bavaria]

What a really awesome video! You are so fantastic! Thanks

[@zoec1767]

Ken: Would like to hear Maurice's isolation on "Nights on Broadway" and "Fanny Be Tender..."

[@Vcaser]

I just found this video, love it!! The Foo Fighters have an utterly delightful cover of several Bee Gees songs under the moniker The “Dee Gees”. It’s brilliant!!!

[@SixstringsBandOfficial]

Love the Newport anecdote! I have good memories of this place!

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeremywhitworth7299]

How Deep is Your Love is my favorite song by The Bee Gees

[@jimjamescassidy]

They started off sounding a lot like the beatles and when disco came they pivoted amazingly and owned that space. I would love to here you do holiday. Many folks think they were a 70s group and have no idea how old they are and how amazing their older music is. 2 of my all time favs is How can you mend a broken heart and I started a joke😀

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@bartalinigibb]

The Bee Gees are genius❤

[@saphirzafiro7777]

thank you for this analyze and you could not pick any better group - the Bee Gees with their incredible harmonies and their sick vocals, falsetto or not . And of course, their great songs.

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariacristinaparedesojeda1809]

Son di-vi-nos!!! 3 bombonazos, bellos talentosos!!!!!!😘😘😘😘😘

[@flavioaverbach349]

Bee Gees are incredible! The disco era started with them! They rock!🤘🤘🤘🤘🎶🎶🎶

[@kentamplin]

Absolutely!

[@King35Fan]

Congrats, Ken. This was beyond magnificent in quality and pedagogy.

[@kentamplin]

Thank you kindly!

[@SonnyGTA]

This is the best series ever Ken! EVER!!!!

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danielpicard3994]

The Everly Brothers also had that siblings’ magical vocal blend. Great video! I love the Bee Gees.

[@kentamplin]

So good!

[@that-avr-drummer]

I remember we were on tour somewhere around 1997-98 and the next stop was in Pennsylvania. On the way there we wrote a song and actually finished it in the parking lot about 15 minutes before we went on and played it that night....good times

[@kentamplin]

Sometimes lightning strikes!

[@Blutoxin]

Possibly the most well know family harmony group and a great example of the tone blending you mentioned is The Beach Boys

[@peter9962]

I love your videos. This one was extra impressive because of all the great side stories. You know when someone is RIGHT into vocals when you hear facts like families having more tight harmonies etc. Thanks Ken, for all your vids.

[@rossanaromani8898]

Great soundtrack from that movie,I can tell, what have I danced on that music!!! Indeed great songwriters, and that "all in the family"!!! Thanks Ken for your approach and explanations 🥰

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for listening!

[@scoutfinch7727]

The Everly Brothers comes to mind on great harmonizing. The #BeeGees are remarkable in so many ways! TY!

[@wendywest4936]

Yay to a BeeGeesathon . There are SO many brilliant songs. You Win Again.. - a huge hit everywhere BUT the U.S. yet music makers in the U.S. wanted to copy the famous stomp from the intro.. AND the Sountrack to the Sat. Night Fever sequel never got the recognition it deserved.

[@CamiMack5616]

Barry discovered his falsetto on Fanny (be tender with my love)... before that, he was just Barry. Maurice did high notes on Nights On Broadway. Many times, when we think it's Barry... he said it's actually Maurice.

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Juliet-anna]

@@kentamplinactually Barry sang it on the recording, but Maurice sang it in concerts because of course Barry couldn’t do both at once.

[@JWF99]

The Jackson 5 comes to my mind Ken, far as another family that could harmonize effortlessly together. It's crazy just how popular the song "Stayin Alive" was back when I was growing up ! The stars really aligned for them in the late 70s. Lol, I'm a metal guy by nature, but man I gotta respect the Bee Gees talent. Super hooky rythum guitar too 🎸

[@kentamplin]

Absolutely!

[@Jett-mf2dw]

Love these videos! Like sitting across the table from a really smart friend, discussing my favorite subject!

[@kentamplin]

Glad you like them!

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

I noticed they had the breath for singing those 4-tone "Alives." You can also hear how they just tap any hard consonants. Legendary group.

[@kentamplin]

Totally.

[@grandmanancy4719]

I just stumbled into your channel because I love The Bee Gees. You do a great job describing their vocals.

[@AMRADIO777]

I’m continuing this dance party with YOU SHOULD BE DANCING & Andy’s SHADOW DANCING 💃🏻

[@kentamplin]

🕺🕺🕺

[@dianemiller8969]

Wow, never did I ever hear how much breath their taking!! I still enjoy their music and you make me laugh when you imitate them..... Not in a bad way, but your honest opinion of The Bee Gees. Al in all, their good and you have a nice singing voice too! Thanks!

[@FuzzballToday]

Excellent commentary! Love this!

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@benbaird2129]

No doubt essential, beautiful music. Horn stabs 100%. Thise pushes and pulls are what I'd call swagger or strut. Complete confidence; and thorough understanding of what you're trying to accomplish. No doubt, this far exceeds the boundaries of the disco ut was lumped with. Thank you for thus KT. We may like alot of tge same music.

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@martinsimensen9511]

You sir make me feel happy😊😊🎹🎹

[@kentamplin]

I am happy to hear that!

[@claupe-56]

This information exactly what I was looking for! thank you very much!

[@lindagarcia8826]

I absolutely enjoyed this so "Barry" 🤭 much. The Bee Gees, Barry Gibb is incredible. Thank you so much loved it.

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SMewett]

The more I watch, the more I realise you're a lovely guy 👍🏼

[@kentamplin]

Thanks!

[@peeholio3260]

I believe every man visualizes walking into a store and all the women dropping their parcels when they break the threshold to that song playing! Ha! To love somebody, is another great one. Youre on track to those awesome, Wilson brothers with Love and Jardine. Good job!

[@kentamplin]

🕺

[@buzzsmith8146]

Excellent, Ken. I love your knowledgeable breakdowns, musicality and your sense of humor. Thanks.

[@kentamplin]

My pleasure!

[@forrestanderson9008]

I found this to be very interesting. The extra breaths I didn't know about, until now. Now I hear them easily. I love way they harmonized. Maurice and Robin left us way to soon. Would have loved a few more songs from them as older men. The twins were only 2 years older than myself. I could so relate to the age, and they handled it beautifully. Thank you for what you do. I am now a subscriber. Deme in Bama.😊

[@jamesfowler6343]

My god Ken ...you can really sing anything....I am blown away by how perfectly you captured that tone and pitch...perfectly....and I’ve been a Bees Gees fan for over 40 years

[@kentamplin]

Rock on!

[@davidhughett6081]

Yeah, he's amazing!

[@BestAudiovisualTricks]

Wow. You sound pretty much exactly like him. At least 99.5% the very same voice. Best singing teacher in the work! 🥇

[@kentamplin]

Thanks, Ben!

[@sabrinacerilli3264]

Very interesting with the heavy breathing at the beginning. Thanks for sharing!

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@McFlySwatter]

I'll never be able to listen to Staying Alive again without thinking about Barry breathing. Thanks Ken. 😂

[@kentamplin]

🕺🕺🕺

[@pauloscabeni5277]

Always love those side stories you bring up during the videos

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@sitetopsongs]

Bee Gees!! ❤️ Great, Ken!

[@kentamplin]

The best!

[@cadeevans4623]

Love the beegees Ken one of my favourite bands from the 70s they definitely were one of the best love stay in alive Barry Gibb has great falsetto I have the beegees hits on CD Ken beegees are awesome always loved Barry Gibb falsetto they had a lot of great songs Barry Gibb made it in falscetto stayin alive was definitely one of their best songs loved more than a woman night fever should be dancing how deep is your love too much heaven all great songs however Barry Gibb did by using his falsetto worked for him beegees rule love them love the falsetto loved all their songs Ken lonely days lonely nights was great to they had great harmonies in stayin alive awesome video ken👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@kentamplin]

🕺🕺🕺

[@cadeevans4623]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌all hail beegees lol😂😂😂😂😂

[@cadeevans4623]

Love the emojis ken

[@cadeevans4623]

I'll do that sounds great I'll have to check out the albums

[@ruthkearns7882]

This was an awesome episode. Loved it and I loved your story! I am a fan of the Bee Gees but more so the 60's version. I always loved Robins voice the most, and it was he who sang a lot of the lead vocals in the early days, before they discovered Barry's falsetto. Listen to I started a Joke...heartbreaking. Or Massachusetts....or Run to me. Keep the episodes coming....really enjoy them!

[@kentamplin]

More to come, Ruth!

[@nosale777]

I love the extra stories you toss in, Bee Gees like the Soulful King diamond

[@kentamplin]

Haha!

[@butchieblock9118]

Thank you so much for sharing your musical knowledge and of course your fabulous "impersonations"! Now, I find it difficult to not hear their little gasps!!

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for watching, Butchie Block!

[@ryangioia2358]

When I went to New York a few years ago, my parents and I did a bus tour around the city and we got to see where most of the scenes of Saturday Night Fever were filmed, including the iconic sidewalk John Travolta walked down to while “Staying Alive” played. The bus also played nothing but the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Lol. It was a fun time

[@kentamplin]

Very cool!

[@deanakennedy3878]

Rare I find a video I can watch and listen to. You're someone who I could listen to and have a conversation with. I love music and I can tell in this video you're real life man. You remind me of my friend and neighbor, he's a musician here in Destin Florida, Shane Curle, incredibly talented. I'll share your videos with him, I know he'll enjoy.

[@ProducersVault]

The breaths add to the DRAMATICS of the song and the grove, No pun intended

[@kentamplin]

Thanks for listening!

[@denver1525]

my god !! You right lots of breath .. that is the reason, I love your course ❤️

[@kentamplin]

Awesome!

[@chrischoo3692]

You are just like the Bee Gees...a master vocal coach as they are master musicians. kudos !

[@kentamplin]

Wow, thanks!

[@Jesse-cx4si]

Dang, brother. You have a good channel! I foresee happy hours and hours inside the youtube vortex in my future. Thanks!

[@lorenh763]

Man, Ken! You are the professor! I am loving the heck out of these and learning a lot. You are amazing. Thanks for sharing such consistently awesome content

[@kentamplin]

My pleasure!

[@markgerrard383]

Those vocal stabs, changing the rhythm on repeats are reminiscent of be bop rhythmic displacement a la Dizzy Gillespie trumpet & Thelonious Monk piano IMHO & you've just demonstrated the massive influence those jazz pioneers had on the Gibb brothers - as well as Burt Bacharach's jazz writing which Barry G always claimed as a big arrangement influence... Sheer class..

[@teresalittkeitz1697]

Ken Du hast heute viel Spaß gehabt und verbreitet. Ich kann nicht ruhig sietzen,wenn ich Bee Gees höre. Hyperventilieren kann manchmal sexy wirken, kann auch Kopfschmerzen verursachen😧. Ich hoffe, dass Du von Kopfschmerzen verschont worden bist. Danke für die Reaktion und den Spaß den ich heute hatte!!💞💞💞💞💞

[@kentamplin]

👍😀

[@BruceLee-io9by]

Ken, you are "THE NUMBER ONE"!!! Amazing!!! A huge from Italy! 👍

[@kentamplin]

Rock on!

[@joankisloski6972]

I'm amazed at your knowledge of Music theory & music analysis. 61 years ago I took a few free classes at our Museum of Science. It was so interesting. I was very young and had to take a long bus ride alone. It was something I couldn't sustain. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@kentamplin]

My pleasure!

[@andybowlin2385]

Dude...LOVE THE SHIRT!

[@kentamplin]

Cool!

[@thetheraine]

the harmonies on the Eagles - 7 bridges road is fantastic...

[@kentamplin]

Rock on!

[@thetheraine]

@@kentamplin - you too Ken... : )

[@randykopisch3578]

Educational and a great story about Dolly Pardon!!!!!!! The ( Dolly) story had me rolling laughing!!!! Love stories like that!!!!!! Keep these coming, and more stories to if possible. Take care, your friend from Nebraska!!!!!!!

[@kentamplin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonhammer1596]

One of the best..raws... For me ken .thank you . an expert in your field who enjoys sharing. Rare

[@kentamplin]

I appreciate that!

[@stonesourG6]

Awesome video. The Bee Gees are the real at on I got into music! The remain a big part of what inline about music!! Thanks for this.

[@kentamplin]

You bet!

[@patrickorourke41]

Never be ashamed to listen to Dolly Parton! She is so good!!!

[@osoriosantiago5205]

Very good! Incredible singers.

[@kentamplin]

Totally!

[@jamesheadrick2083]

Great choice of band and song. Iconic group. You’re on a roll Ken, thanks for making this videos. Makes me want to learn to sing

[@kentamplin]

Do it!

[@jlda9474]

I love your side stories, too!! You make me laugh!

[@kentamplin]

Glad you like them!

[@evilpeach2]

There's an early demo with a "slow bridge" in the middle of Stayin' Alive. It's very similar to "Nights on Broadway". It's very interesting to listen to it for the first time with the slow bridge.

[@kentamplin]

Rock on! 😀

[@christopheranderson1968]

That isn't a demo. It was a version they tried doing but it just didn't work on the song, so they got rid of it.

[@RonLink101]

Dang Ken. You are a maestro in every sense of the word. Love you brother.

[@kentamplin]

😀👍

[@Mondo-jo8my]

Youre the best man ! ...you make me laugh . We all need that right now , thanks Ken! ...great story teller

[@kentamplin]

I appreciate that!

[@cadeevans4623]

This is just where I came in was a good one to by beegees

[@kentamplin]

Indeed!

[@cadeevans4623]

Sure is Ken

[@Rescue162]

There's actually an all-horn instrumental version of Stayin' Alive (by the Magic Orchestra) with the Bee Gees vocals replaced by saxophones. Really awesome and I highly recommend it.

[@SuzieEaster]

Love this series! Looking forward to my 2nd lesson with Ken in February!! So blessed! Can't afford a lesson with Ken? Sell some of that stuff you don't need! It's worth it!

[@kentamplin]

Wonderful!

[@davexxx5175]

Hi Ken, I always listened to many kind of music..so, when I heard for first time "staying alive" as you said I thought: amazing! Great voices, the phrasing is incredible and how many deep fast breaths!😊 Another interesting Bee Gee's songs of those years for me are (for example) "Tragedy" and "living together". This last one is dance-pop song with an interesting chorus in unexpected ..odd time mixed with straight tempo! I love it! About "lonely days, lonely nights." I didn't remember it well. So I've listened to the original version (for me, specially the chorus is very Beatles style) but you're right: in the end of it Barry has a wonderful surprising "strong voice" ..really great! Concluding I can say I didn't know Dolly Parton's version of "Seven Bridges Road" ..I listened to it..Now I understand why it's so dangerous for driving but ..it/she can save you also from the cops! 😊

[@kentamplin]

Haha! Thanks for the thoughts!

[@davexxx5175]

@@kentamplin - Thanks Ken to you too!👍

[@bladerunner347]

Thanks Ken… awesome tutorial….

[@stewartmorrison9453]

I heard from a friend who like me is a huge Beegees fan that they started writing Jive Talking while hearing the sound of the tires rolling over a bridge which became the inspiration for the rhythm for the song. Not sure if it's true but really cool if it is!