Singing Guide: Mecano
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Mecano was a Spanish pop band that revolutionized the 80s music scene. To learn how to sing like Ana Torroja, the lead singer of the band, requires developing techniques in belting, nasal resonance, and vibrato control.
Belting is a vocal technique used for hitting high notes with a lot of power and intensity. In the song "Hijo de la luna," Ana Torroja belts to convey the emotion of the lyrics. To develop this skill, be sure to check the Vocal Range Test on Singing Carrots. It can help you determine your vocal range and develop your belting technique through Pitch Training.
Another key feature of Mecano's sound is nasal resonance. For this technique, you can start by humming, as it opens and enhances the nasal cavity. Check out this short Warm-up/Practice-starter to improve your nasal resonance. Stop sounding nasal with this video tutorial.
Vibrato is the variation in pitch heard in a singer's voice, and Ana Torroja's vibrato was remarkable. To achieve such a sound, try the Beggar's Bounce exercise and the Diaphragm Bounce exercise to practice your vibrato control.
When singing Mecano's songs, pay attention to how Ana Torroja uses her voice registers by switching from a chest voice to a head or mixed voice. Chest voice is the sound you make when you speak with lower tones, while mixed voice is somewhere in between. This Singing Comfort Zone Warm-up/Practice-starter exercise will teach you how to find a balance between the chest and mixed voice.
To find the perfect song to practice, you can use Singing Carrots' Song Search, which allows you to filter by genre, vocal range, and difficulty level. Once you have chosen your song, check out this helpful article on How to Learn a Song Effectively. It provides practical advice on learning and memorizing the lyrics and melody.
Ana Torroja's unique vocal style makes listening to her music a poetic experience. Pay attention to her articulation when singing words to make the lyrics come alive. Use this Finger Bite articulation exercise to help develop clarity.
Don't forget to check out this article on Stage Fright and these Tips for Performing on Stage to help you shine when performing in front of audiences. Keep in mind that healthy singing habits are also essential for preserving your vocal quality. Check out this article on Vocal Health to learn more.
With practice, dedication, and the help of Singing Carrots' resources and exercises, you will be able to sing Mecano's songs like a pro in no time.