Learning to Sing Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”
Ed Sheeran’s hit song “Thinking Out Loud” is a beautiful ballad that showcases his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Learning to sing this song can be a rewarding experience, but it requires some specific vocal techniques and practice. In this article, we’ll explore the unique vocal technique used in “Thinking Out Loud” and offer practical advice on how to learn the song effectively.
The Unique Vocal Technique: Belting
One of the standout features of “Thinking Out Loud” is the use of belting. Belting is a vocal technique commonly used in pop and musical theater genres. It involves singing with a powerful, resonant sound in the upper chest voice. This technique allows singers to produce strong, full-bodied notes with great intensity and emotion.
In “Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran incorporates belting during the powerful chorus sections of the song. This adds a sense of passion and conviction to the lyrics, making them more impactful and memorable.
Learning the Song Step by Step
To learn “Thinking Out Loud” effectively, follow these steps:
- Listen and Familiarize: Start by listening to the song multiple times to get familiar with the melody, lyrics, and overall feel of the song.
- Analyze the Song: Use Singing Carrots’ article on how to analyze your voice to identify the vocal range and key of the song. This will help you understand which parts of the song require belting and where you may need to transition between different vocal registers.
- Warm-Up: Perform vocal warm-up exercises to prepare your voice for singing. Singing Carrots’ Pitch Training module can be helpful in this regard.
- Practice Breath Control: Since belting requires strong breath support, practicing proper breathing techniques is crucial. Check out the Singing Carrots article on breath support to learn more.
- Work on Vocal Registers: As you sing “Thinking Out Loud,” pay attention to the transitions between vocal registers. Singing Carrots’ article on voice registers provides valuable insights on how to navigate these transitions smoothly.
- Open Your Mouth and Throat: To achieve powerful belting, it’s important to open your mouth and throat while singing. Singing Carrots explains this in detail in their article on opening mouth and throat.
- Emotional Expression: Connect with the emotions of the song and convey them through your singing. Singing Carrots’ article on singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking can provide helpful tips in this aspect.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Practice the song in smaller sections, focusing on the belting moments. Use Singing Carrots’ Vocal Pitch Monitor to visualize your sung notes and ensure accuracy.
Other Songs Featuring Belting
Belting is a vocal technique often used in other popular songs as well. If you want to explore more songs that incorporate this technique, here are a few recommendations:
- “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
- “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
- “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked
Exploring these songs will not only help you diversify your singing repertoire but also provide additional opportunities to practice and refine your belting technique.
Learning to sing Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” requires dedication, practice, and attention to vocal technique. By following the steps outlined in this article and utilizing the resources provided by Singing Carrots, you can develop the necessary skills to perform this song with confidence and authenticity.