Learning to Sing “Imaginary” by Evanescence
“Imaginary” by Evanescence is a song that showcases the distinctive vocal style of Amy Lee, blending dramatic emotions and precise vocal techniques. The stand-out aspect of her performance is a vocal technique known as belting. It involves projecting a powerful, full-bodied sound across the higher parts of a singer’s range, common in a variety of popular music genres.
Belting is employed in numerous examples of famous songs such as Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”, Celine Dion’s “All by Myself”, and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”. It’s a technique that, when used correctly, can be a powerful way to emotively deliver a song.
How to Belt Safely
Belting is a vocal technique that involves producing a loud, strong sound. It is critical to properly execute the technique to avoid vocal damage. Consider the following methods to belt safely:
- Support from the diaphragm: It’s all about controlling your breath. Create strong, steady airflow by actively managing your breath support. Learn more about breath support here.
- Open your mouth wider: This will enable your tone to resonate more. Understanding the optimal way to open your mouth can be found here.
Learning the Song
The key to learning any song is to break it down and practice it part by part. Start by learning the lyrics and the melody separately. Sing along with the track to find the correct pitches and to get a feel for the overall structure of the song. Make use of the Vocal Pitch Monitor to visualize your pitch while singing. Next, identify the parts of the song where belting is used and practice belting those specific parts.
Warm Up and Practice
Belting requires preparation to be done safely and effectively. Warm up your voice properly with exercises like 3 Minute Warm Up. Once you have warmed up, practice the belting technique by singing a few ascending scales on a neutral vowel like “Ah”.
Prepare for Performance
Once you have mastered the song, it’s time to prepare for a performance. Remember, your physical presence on stage can significantly impact the audience’s perception of your performance. Refer to our performance tips article for more information on how to impress your audience.
In conclusion, mastering a technique like belting can open up new opportunities for performances. Always remember to use it safely, and that it is a tool for expressing the emotions and meaning of the song. Happy singing!