Learning to Sing “Wish You Were Here” by Incubus
Beloved for its contemplative lyrics and the vocal style of lead singer Brandon Boyd, “Wish You Were Here” is a gem to learn and sing. The song sees Boyd employing a unique combination of chest voice and falsetto, making it a great piece for practice.
Understanding Your Voice
Before starting, it’s crucial to understand your own voice. Knowing your vocal range, pitch accuracy and voice type is critical. You can examine these aspects using Singing Carrots’ Vocal Range Test and Pitch Accuracy Test. Don’t skip this step, going through these tests will give you a deeper understanding of your voice. Learn more about these aspects in our articles on how to analyze your voice and voice types.
Vocal Technique in “Wish You Were Here”
The song predominantly employs the chest voice, with occasional leaps into falsetto. This technique creates a very distinctive contrasting sound, commonly used in many popular songs from bands like Radiohead and Coldplay. It does require mastering your voice registers and understanding how to navigate the vocal break without strain.
Learning the Song
Once you get a grip on your voice, start with the learning process. Begin by just listening to the song multiple times. Try to isolate the vocals and focus on the melody, noticing when Boyd shifts from chest voice to falsetto. Pay attention to the lyric enunciation and emotional touch he puts into singing. Here are some more tips on how to learn a song effectively.
Practice and Patience
Practice is key in mastering a song. It’s crucial to warm-up before learning a part of a song. Be patient with yourself, take it one small section at a time. Use Singing Carrots’ Vocal Pitch Monitor to check if you’re hitting the correct notes. This tool visualizes your sung notes, making it easier for you to match them with the correct pitches.
Last but not least, remember to take care of your voice. Singing is a physical process relying on several parts of the body, so remember to maintain good vocal health with plenty of hydration and rest for your vocal cords. Read more about vocal health to prevent any damage.
Performing the Song
Once you’ve memorized the melody and lyrics, and can sing the song comfortably, it’s time to think about the performance. Check our stage performance tips here and practice performing with a relaxed body. It’s also important to convey the emotions in the song convincingly. Give the song your unique touch, drawing inspiration from your own experiences in its delivery.
Keep practicing the song even after you think you’ve got it down. The more familiar the song is to you, the more comfortably you can perform it. Happy singing!