Singing Guide: Poison
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Poison is one of the quintessential late 80s/early 90s glam/hard rock bands that is still celebrated today. They had huge success with hits like "Talk Dirty to Me", "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", and "Nothin' But a Good Time", and frontman Bret Michaels' energetic and dynamic vocals were a defining feature of the band's sound. If you're looking to learn how to sing like Bret Michaels, there are several techniques and tactics you can use to emulate his sound and style.
One of the most noticeable aspects of Michaels' vocals is his use of vibrato. Vibrato is a slight variation in pitch that gives the voice a more expressive and dynamic sound. You can learn how to incorporate vibrato into your own singing by practicing specific exercises, such as the one shown in Singing Carrots' video tutorial "Beggars Bounce". This exercise teaches you how to produce a natural vibrato by starting with a sustained "ah" sound and gradually adding a slight waver to it as you sing.
Another key element of Michaels' vocal style is his use of falsetto. Falsetto is a technique where you sing in a higher range by "flipping" into a lighter and brighter sound. Michaels uses falsetto frequently in his songs to hit those high notes with ease and finesse. To learn how to sing in falsetto, you can start by practicing Singing Carrots' "Chest Voice Explained" video. This exercise teaches how to properly transition between your chest voice and falsetto.
Finally, Michaels' unique phrasing and performance style is a defining feature of his vocals. He often blends different vocal styles, such as rapping and spoken word, into his singing, which makes his performances stand out. One way to practice this technique is to break down the lyrics to one of his songs and experiment with different vocal inflections and phrasings. As you practice, try to stay true to the original melody, but add in your own personal touches to make the performance your own.
In addition to these techniques, Singing Carrots offers several helpful resources for aspiring singers, including the vocal range test, pitch accuracy test, and vocal pitch monitor, which all help you train your ears and vocal cords to hit the right notes with precision. The site also offers numerous articles on various aspects of singing, such as tips for performing on stage and how to find your own authentic voice.
So if you're a fan of Poison and want to learn how to sing like Bret Michaels, be sure to check out Singing Carrots' resources and start practicing those vibratos, falsettos, and unique vocal phrasings. With enough dedication and hard work, you could be hitting those high notes and rocking out on stage in no time!