Learning to Sing ‘An Open Letter To NYC’ by Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys’ ‘An Open Letter To NYC’ presents a fresh blend of rap vocals and punk rock vibe that challenges conventional singing approaches. Find the song here.
Vocal Technique
The song employs Twang, a contemporary vocal technique that creates a sharp, cutting sound by shaping the vocal tract. Twang is frequently used in genres like rock, pop, and country. Other examples of Twang usage include ‘It’s My Life’ by Bon Jovi and ‘I Will Always Love You’ by Whitney Houston. Learn twang by watching this How to Twang Exercise.
Articulation and Breathing
Perfecting rap vocals requires clear articulation; hence, consider this Finger Bite exercise for clarity. Proper breathing is critical to long rap verses. To achieve this, refer to this Breathing Basics article.
Voice Analysis and Range
To efficiently deliver the song, analyze your voice using the Vocal Range Test and this article. Discover songs within your range through the Search Songs tool.
Learning the Song
Apply the 3 Minute Warm Up routine before practice. Study the song by breaking it down verse by verse, singing along to the original track. Refer to this article for more tips.
Conclusion
Mastering ‘An Open Letter To NYC’ requires practice, patience, and proper techniques. Singing Carrots provides a wealth of resources to support you on this journey.