Singing like Ottawan: The "Hands Up" duo

Ottawan was a Franco-Dutch pop band - Jean Patrick Baptiste (born 1954) and Annette (singer) born 1st June, 1958) gained huge success in the midst of the disco era in the early 1980s. Their hit song "Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)" became an instant hit in the United States and Europe, ultimately surpassing sales of more than 10 million globally.

Singing along Ottawan's hit songs is a great way to enjoy and study your vocals. The band's catchy melodies, a touch of funk, and enjoyable beats make it easy to sing along with. In this guide, we'll explore how to sing like Ottawan while highlighting some of their vocal characteristics and explaining how you can improve your voice by following their style.

Ottawan Vocal Characteristics and Unique Style

Ottawan's music was all about groove and upbeat rhythms. Singing like Ottawan requires capturing the band's unique sound and style. Here are some pointers to consider when practicing:

• Ottawan has a bright and buoyant tone, with a hint of rasp.
• Both male and female vocals in Ottawan use an upbeat, friendly approach.
• Ottawan's music often implements call-and-response choruses, punctuated with short phrases.
• Their songs often have catchy melodies that are easy to sing along with.
• Ottawan uses limited vocal range in their songs, which makes it easy for beginners to learn singing like them.

Improving Your Singing Like Ottawan with Singing Carrots

At Singing Carrots, we offer plenty of tools and resources that can help you improve your singing to get you closer to Ottawan's sound and style:

• Warm-Up and Vocalization Exercises: A great place for beginners to start is with our Farinelli breathing exercise video for breath support, perfect for practicing breathing for both timbre and volume. To warm up your vocal cords and practice range, pitch, and breath control, our Pitch Training Exercise is perfect to get started.
• Vocal range test: Ottawan uses a limited vocal range in their songs, which makes it easy for beginners. However, if you want to expand your vocal range, take our vocal range test, where you can discover your vocal range, compare it with famous singers, and find Ottawan's range.
• Song Search: Singing like Ottawan can be a lot of fun, and our song search tool can help you find Ottawan songs that are perfect for your voice. Browse through the categories of difficulty, vocal range, and genre, and find songs to practice with and perfect your singing abilities.
• Vocal Course: If you want to take your singing to the next level, our educational singing course is a great resource. Our 21-lesson program covers singing theory and practical tips, with a range of singing techniques that will help you grow your voice in many styles, including funk and disco.
• Vocal Health: To sing like Ottawan, it's important to adopt healthy vocal habits. In our Vocal Health article and video, we share tips and habits that promote vocal longevity and prevent vocal damage.

Ottawan's Iconic Songs to Sing Along

Here are the iconic Ottawan songs to sing along with as you develop your vocal abilities:

1. Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart): This hit song has a catchy chorus that's perfect for singing along with. The chorus ends with the words "Oh, wa-a-a, oh", where you can exclaim and enjoy the vocal freedom and energy.
2. You're OK: One of Ottawan's most famous songs, this upbeat number has a bright and bouncy tone that's fun to sing along with.
3. Crazy Music: The repetitive singsong chorus in this song makes it easy and catchy to follow.

Final Thoughts

Singing like Ottawan is a lot of fun and our tools and resources can help you develop your voice to sound more like the band's iconic sound. With our educational resources, tools that promote healthy singing habits, and iconic songs to sing along with, you'll be well on your way to mastering Ottawan's style.