Singing Guide: Gulliver's Travels
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter, and television judge. She rose to fame in 2008 with her hit single "I Kissed a Girl" and has since released numerous chart-topping songs such as "Roar," "Dark Horse," and "Firework." Perry has a unique vocal technique that sets her apart from other pop singers.
One of the distinctive features of Katy Perry's voice is her use of a high-pitched, nasal tone in her singing. This technique is known as twang and is used to create clarity and brightness in the voice. To use twang, open your mouth and throat wide and sing in a way that sounds sharp and bright. This technique can also be combined with breathy tones to create a unique sound.
Another key aspect of Perry's vocal technique is her use of mixed voice. Mixed voice is a combination of chest voice and head voice, and it allows singers to transition smoothly between registers without straining their voice. Perry often uses mixed voice in her songs to create powerful, yet controlled, high notes.
Now that we have discussed some of Katy Perry's unique vocal techniques, let's take a look at some of her most famous songs that showcase these techniques.
- Firework - This song written by Perry, uses a range of vocal techniques. It has a strong and clear introduction in the third octave, emphasizing the technique of 'twang.' It then transitions into the chorus with a perfect example of a powerful mixed voice. The song also features a bridge with an impressive high note sustained by Perry in her mixed voice.
- Hot N Cold - Perry incorporates twang in the chorus and bridge sections of this song, emphasizing her high notes and making them sound unique. This song also shows how Perry uses her mixed voice to sing low notes smoothly and transition to high notes effortlessly.
To learn singing like Katy Perry, it is essential to maintain good vocal health and breathing techniques. Singing Carrots offers several articles on these important topics. Among them, the breathing basics and breath support can be excellent starting points.
It is also useful to practice a variety of vocal exercises to master twang and mixed voice. Singing Carrots provides beginner-friendly pitch training, vocal range, and pitch accuracy tests for singers to improve their voice.
Katy Perry is truly an inspiration for aspiring pop singers. Her unique vocal style and powerful performances are the perfect examples for anyone who wishes to achieve the same level of success. To learn singing like Katy Perry, it is essential to understand her vocal techniques and practice them with proper guidance and resources available at Singing Carrots.