Singing Guide: Steven Tyler
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Steven Tyler is one of the most iconic rock singers, immortalized by his signature voice, flamboyant stage presence, and a unique blend of rock, blues, and country that he calls "Demon of Screamin'".
If you want to learn how to sing like Steven Tyler, you need to practice his distinctive style, which is characterized by:
- Aerosmith's songs: Aerosmith's songs are a great way to explore the creativity, power, and versatility of Steven Tyler's voice. Some of his most famous songs include "Dream On," "Sweet Emotion," "Janie's Got A Gun," "Crazy," "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing," and "Livin' on the Edge." You can find them all on Singing Carrots' Songbook, along with lyrics, chords, and even karaoke versions to practice your vocals.
- Use of falsetto: Steven Tyler has a powerful falsetto that he uses to maximum effect in many of his songs, especially ballads. To develop your own falsetto range, you can try the Singing Carrots' vocal range test, which helps you identify your vocal capabilities and limitations. Tyler's use of the falsetto can be heard in "Dream On," where he hits that high E5 near the end.
- Improvisation: Steven Tyler's improvisational skills are second to none. He often adds new lines, runs, or screams to his live performances, making each song unique. To improve your improvisational skills, you can try Singing Carrots' Pitch Training, which offers interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualization, and exercises for range and agility.
- Screaming: Steven Tyler is well-known for his ability to scream without losing quality and control. To scream like Tyler, you need to use a mix of head voice and chest voice. Singing Carrots offers an exercise that can help you learn how to Twang, which is the technique Tyler used to create his unique scream.
- Distortion: Steven Tyler also utilizes distortion, a technique that modifies the sound of a voice, creating a rough, edgy sound. One of the most iconic moments of Tyler's distortion is the famous scream in "Sweet Emotion." If you want to master vocal distortion, you can try Singing Carrots' exercise that teaches Vocal Distortion & Growling techniques.
Other tips that can help you learn to sing like Steven Tyler include:
- Breathing and breath support: Singing Carrots' article on breathing basics offers tips on how to breathe correctly and effectively.
- Voice registers and vocal break: Singing Carrots' article on voice registers & vocal break explains how to transit properly between registers, which is essential in reproducing Tyler's dynamic range.
- Warm-up exercises: Singing Carrots' videos include exercises like Farinelli Breathing and the 3 Minute Warm-up that can help prepare your voice for singing.
Remember that every singer has their unique style and voice, and while it can be beneficial to emulate others' techniques, it is essential to find and develop your own authentic voice. Singing Carrots' article on how to find your own authentic voice offers valuable tips to help you discover and develop your unique voice.