Singing Guide: Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
If you want to learn how to sing like Ariana Grande, you need to practice your whistle and head voice techniques. Ariana is famous for her four-octave vocal range and sound that blends elements of pop, R&B, and urban music.
First, let's look at her whistle register. Whistle register is an extremely high-pitched register that is produced naturally by some but can be learned by others through training.
To try to find your whistle register, start by vocalizing a siren while forcing yourself to go higher than you think you can. You'll know when you've hit whistle register because it will sound more like a bird chirp than a human voice. Once you've found it, practice singing scales and arpeggios in this range.
Another unique element of Ariana's voice is her use of head voice. Head voice is the lighter, higher part of your vocal range that is often used to sing high notes. It's what gives Ariana her signature sound.
To develop your head voice, start by singing scales and arpeggios in a comfortable pitch range. Gradually increase the pitch range until you reach the highest notes you can sing comfortably. Practice making the transition between your chest voice and head voice when you sing.
Now, let's take a look at one of Ariana's most popular songs featuring Nicki Minaj – "Side to Side." In this song, Ariana uses a lot of different vocal techniques to create a unique sound.
One of the techniques she uses is melisma – singing multiple notes on a single syllable. Practice melisma by singing scales and arpeggios while emphasizing each note.
Another technique that Ariana uses in "Side to Side" is vibrato – a slight variation of pitch in sustained notes that gives them a more dynamic and rich character. Practice vibrato by trying to sustain each note without any breaks or hesitations.
To improve your overall singing technique, check out Singing Carrots' educational singing course that covers singing theory and practical tips. There are also various exercises available, such as the vocal range test, pitch accuracy test, and the vocal pitch monitor, to help you improve your skills.
In conclusion, Ariana Grande's unique vocal techniques, including her whistle register and head voice, have helped her produce a unique sound. By practicing those techniques and utilizing online resources such as Singing Carrots, you can also improve your own singing.