Singing Guide: Shakira

Singing Guide: Shakira

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Shakira is a Colombian popstar known for her unique voice, which combines raspy and powerful chest voice with a sharp falsetto. Shakira's voice is versatile and unique and has helped her become one of the most successful Latin-pop singers of all time. Shakira's songs cover a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, and reggaeton. In this article, you will learn how to learn singing like Shakira, highlighting Shakira's unique vocal technique and songs showcasing it. We'll also incorporate practical advice and relevant Singing Carrots resources.

Shakira's Vocal Technique and Singing Style

Shakira's unique vocal technique and singing style are characterized by the following features:

  • Raspy chest voice: Shakira has a powerful and raspy chest voice, which adds depth and emotion to her songs. Her chest voice can range from a gritty growl to a soft and sultry whisper.
  • Sharp falsetto: Shakira also has a sharp and piercing falsetto. She often uses it to add contrast to her chest voice, creating a unique and memorable sound.
  • Nasal resonance: Shakira's resonance is often nasal, especially when she uses her falsetto. This technique adds brightness and clarity to her voice, making it stand out even more.
  • Lyrical phrasing: Shakira's vocal style is highly lyrical, with a strong focus on phrasing and interpretation. She often stretches words and phrases, giving her songs a unique sense of rhythm and poetry.

Notable songs that showcase Shakira's unique vocal technique include "Hips Don't Lie," "Whenever, Wherever," "La Tortura," and "She Wolf."

How to Learn Singing Like Shakira

If you want to learn singing like Shakira, here are a few tips:

  • Focus on your chest voice: Shakira's chest voice is one of her strongest assets, so make sure to develop this part of your voice. Work on building power and resonance in your chest voice, adding grit and emotion where appropriate.
  • Don't neglect your falsetto: Shakira's falsetto is just as impressive as her chest voice, so make sure to work on this part of your voice as well. Practice hitting high notes with precision and control, adding vibrato and nasality where appropriate.
  • Emphasize lyrical phrasing: Shakira's singing style is highly lyrical, so make sure to focus on phrasing and interpretation. Practice stretching words and phrases, emphasizing certain syllables and words to create a unique sense of rhythm and poetry.
  • Incorporate nasality: Shakira's resonance is often nasal, so make sure to practice incorporating this technique into your singing. Experiment with adding brightness and clarity to your voice by using your nasal cavity.
  • Use Singing Carrots resources: Singing Carrots offers a variety of resources that can help you learn singing like Shakira. Use the Vocal Range Test to determine your vocal range and compare it to Shakira's. Use the Pitch Accuracy Test to improve your intonation and pitch accuracy. Use the Pitch Training tool to improve your range and agility. And explore the Artist Vocal Ranges section to learn more about famous singers like Shakira.

By following these tips and incorporating Singing Carrots resources, you can learn how to sing like Shakira and develop your own unique vocal style.

Learn more about this artist vocal range, voice type and repertoire.