Singing Guide: Frou Frou
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
How to Sing Like Frou Frou
Frou Frou, formed by Imogen Heap and Guy Sigsworth, specialized in dreamy and ethereal pop that blended organic and electronic sounds harmoniously. In this article, we will cover some elements of Heap’s vocal technique, practical tips to incorporate her style in your singing, and suggest some of the best resources Singing Carrots can offer to help you achieve your goals.
Vocal Technique
Frou Frou’s sound relies on the distinctive vocal technique of Imogen Heap, particularly her use of mixed voice, falsetto, and breathy vocals. Here are some tips for incorporating her vocal style:
Mixed Voice
Try to splat your voice, or “crack” to move between registers and achieve a blended sound between chest and head voice. Practice sliding up and down throughout your vocal range, starting from a single note to help you get the connection between the lower and upper registers.
Falsetto
Practice singing in falsetto, which involves using the head voice to create notes in a higher range. Start by using head voice for your highest notes, holding onto the same note and trying to shift into falsetto tone, and gradually deepen it.
Breathy Vocals
Concentrate on reducing the amount of air you expel while singing to achieve a more breathy tone. Use your abs to control the airflow and reduce its intensity. Try to sing scales with very soft, airy vocals and try to incorporate this style in some of your favorite Frou Frou songs.
How to Learn Frou Frou’s Songs
Here are some of Frou Frou's most famous tracks and the elements that make them unique:
"Let Go"
The song features Imogen Heap’s ethereal vocals floating over a minimalist electronic soundscape. The chorus line is notable for the way Heap utilizes breathy, sighing vocal lines to create a sense of weightlessness.
"Shh"
The song starts with the layered vocals of Imogen Heap, and she is gradually joined by an electronic beat, string stabs and synths. Focus on the gentle vibrato in her vocals and the gentle transitions between chest voice and falsetto.
"Breathe In"
The track features an acoustic guitar riff and Heap’s unique vocal blend of strong, intense head voice and breathy vocals. Pay attention to the way she uses dynamics to switch between these different ways of singing.
Singing Carrots Resources
Here are some resources available on Singing Carrots that can help you fine-tune your voice:
- The Singing Carrots Vocal Range Test can help you figure out your vocal range and compare it to famous singers.
- The Pitch Accuracy Test lets you practice singing along to simple melodies and assesses your pitch accuracy overall.
- The Pitch Monitor shows your sung notes on a virtual piano while you practice singing.
- The Search function helps you find songs matching your vocal range, difficulty level, and genre preference.
- The Artists section lets you discover vocal ranges of over 5000 famous singers.
- The Songbook tool helps you create your performance set and provides you with lyrics, sheet music, chords, karaoke, and YouTube audio.
- The Singing Course is a 21-lesson program covering singing theory and practical tips that can help you master the art of singing.
In conclusion, Frou Frou’s unique blend of electronic and organic sounds, combined with Imogen Heap’s breathy and ethereal vocal style, can seem intimidating at first, but with practice, anyone can learn to emulate their amazing sound. Incorporate some of Heap’s techniques, analyze and practice her songs, and utilize Singing Carrots’ resources to help you reach your goals and become a skilled singer.