Singing Guide: AJR feat. Rivers Cuomo
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
AJR is a music group from New York consisting of three brothers - Adam, Jack, and Ryan. They are well known for their unique blend of pop, electronic, and hip-hop elements in their music. Their music also stands out for incorporating a mix of live instruments and recording studio tricks.
In this article, we will explore how you can learn to sing like AJR feat. Rivers Cuomo, the lead singer of Weezer who collaborated with the group on their hit single, "Sober Up."
Unique Vocal Technique
AJR's vocal style is characterized by a distinct delivery, blending spoken word with melody and harmonization. The group's unique approach to singing requires exceptional timing, rhythmic precision, and vocal agility. The vocals in "Sober Up" are driven by Rivers Cuomo's raspy, soulful voice that adds a unique edge to the track.
As you learn to sing like AJR and Rivers Cuomo, it's important to focus on their unique vocal techniques. AJR's style is characterized by a mixture of talk-singing and unconventional rhythms. Rivers Cuomo's signature sound is his use of contrapuntal harmonies, which are created by overlapping multiple vocal lines.
Songs to Learn From
To improve your singing skills, you'll need to practice. Here are some AJR songs you can learn from:
- "Weak"
- "Burn The House Down"
- "100 Bad Days"
- "Bang!"
It's also important to study Rivers Cuomo's work in Weezer to master his unique vocal style:
- "Say It Ain't So"
- "Buddy Holly"
- "Island In The Sun"
- "California Kids"
Tips and Advice
To help you perfect your singing, use the following tips and advice:
- Learn proper breathing techniques to ensure you can belt out long notes without running out of breath. Singing Carrots' "Breath Support" article offers a great introduction to proper breathing methods.
- Focus on perfecting your pitch accuracy to replicate AJR's unique vocal style. The article "Why Do We Sing Out of Pitch?" touches on this topic and provides advice on how to fix it.
- Experiment with different vocal registers to add depth and texture to your voice. AJR and Cuomo both use mixed voice in their singing, which is covered in "Voice Registers & Vocal Break" article.
- Watch the videos provided to get additional exercises and tips to improve your technique.
Using these tips and studying AJR and Rivers Cuomo's vocal techniques will undoubtedly improve your singing ability. Don't be afraid to experiment and make the songs your own! And when you're ready, check out Singing Carrots' pitch training, range test, and educational singing course to help you continue to hone your skills.