Singing Guide: Bo Burnham: Inside
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Bo Burnham is a comedian, singer, songwriter, musician, and actor known for his unique brand of comedy that blends music, poetry, and stand-up comedy. He has gained massive popularity and critical acclaim for his Netflix special 'Inside', which was written, directed, filmed, and edited by Bo Burnham himself during the pandemic.
If you want to learn to sing like Bo Burnham, there is no better way than to start by familiarizing yourself with his unique vocal style and range. Bo utilizes a variety of techniques in his comedy music that can help you improve your singing and performance skills.
- One of his most distinctive vocal techniques is his use of falsetto, as seen in songs like "Welcome to the Internet" and "White Woman's Instagram." Falsetto is a technique used to produce high pitched tones by lightening the pressure on the vocal cords. For aspiring singers looking to incorporate falsetto into their repertoire, Singing Carrots' vocal range test and pitch training can help you develop your upper vocal range. Additionally, Singing Carrots' vocal pitch monitor tool is a great way to practice and refine your falsetto technique.
- Another technique that Bo Burnham excels at is dynamic range. He goes from soft spoken to belting out notes in seconds. Learning how to control your voice's volume will heighten your control over your dynamic range. The Farinelli breathing exercise is a useful tool for understanding how to breathe for singing and control your exhaling and inhalation which ultimately leads to volume control. Singing Carrots' "comfort zone" exercise and "voice break" video resource are also a great starting point for developing your dynamic range.
- Bo's lyrics are poignant and often provocative, standing out as a unique aspect of his artistry. To connect with the audience and do justice to your musical craft, consider Singing Carrots' article on singing with emotion, thinking, skills, and intuition. It can help you unlock your creativity and help you find your authentic voice.
- Lastly, in today's technologically driven world, singers need to know how to operate audio-visual equipment. ‘Inside’ provides a perfect example of how you can use a microphone, synthesizer, and lighting to enhance to your singing and comedy. To learn more about other technical equipment you may need for recording your music, check out Singing Carrots' writing on voice distortion, pop vs. classical music, and vocal health.
In conclusion, by listening to Bo Burnham's music and focusing on developing your falsetto, volume control, creativity, and technical skills, coupled with Singing Carrots' range of resources, you can learn to sing like him and ultimately develop your own unique voice.