Singing a particular song can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when you want to learn a song like “Hurts So Good” by John Mellencamp. This iconic rock song showcases unique vocal techniques that can help you improve your singing skills. In this article, we will explore how to learn and master this song, highlighting the vocal technique used and mentioning other popular songs that incorporate similar techniques.
The Vocal Technique:
One of the key vocal techniques used in “Hurts So Good” is a mix of gritty and throaty tones. Mellencamp’s raspy and raw vocals give the song its distinctive character. To achieve a similar sound, you can focus on developing your chest voice and adding grit to your tone.
To improve your chest voice, you can try exercises like the Singing Comfort Zone exercise from Singing Carrots. This exercise helps you strengthen your chest voice and improve your vocal range.
To add grit and roughness to your voice, you can experiment with vocal distortion techniques. Singing Carrots offers a helpful article on Vocal Distortion & Growling, which can guide you in achieving a controlled and healthy vocal growl.
Learning the Song:
When learning “Hurts So Good,” it’s essential to break it down into smaller sections and focus on the lyrics, melody, and rhythm. Here are some practical steps to help you learn the song effectively:
- Start by listening to the original song multiple times to familiarize yourself with the melody and lyrics.
- Use the Pitch Accuracy Test from Singing Carrots to assess your pitch accuracy. This tool will help you identify any areas that need improvement.
- Refer to the original lyrics of “Hurts So Good” to understand the song’s storytelling and emotional content.
- Practice singing the song in smaller sections, focusing on the rhythm and phrasing. You can use the Vocal Pitch Monitor from Singing Carrots to see your sung notes on a virtual piano and improve your pitch accuracy.
- Gradually put the sections together, paying attention to the transitions between different parts of the song.
Similar Songs with Unique Vocal Techniques:
“Hurts So Good” shares vocal characteristics with other songs that feature gritty and raw vocals. Here are a few examples:
- “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
- “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin
- “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
- “The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
By analyzing and practicing these songs, you can further develop your vocal technique and explore different vocal styles.
Take Advantage of Singing Carrots Resources:
Singing Carrots offers a range of resources that can enhance your singing journey:
- Use the Vocal Range Test to determine your vocal range and compare it with famous singers.
- Improve your pitch accuracy using the Pitch Accuracy Test.
- Monitor your pitch with the Vocal Pitch Monitor.
- Utilize the Pitch Training platform for interactive vocal warm-ups and exercises.
- Search for songs that match your vocal range, difficulty, and genre preference using the Song Search.
- Explore the vocal ranges of over 5000 famous singers in the Artist Vocal Ranges section.
- Create your performance set and access linked lyrics, sheet music, chords, karaoke, and YouTube audio with the Song-book.