Singing Guide: The Calling

Singing Guide: The Calling

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

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The Calling: How to Sing Like Alex Band

The Calling was a post-grunge band from Los Angeles. They were active from 1999 until 2005, and during this period, they released three studio albums that established their unique sound that combines hard rock riffs with Christian themes. The band's frontman, Alex Band, has a distinctive vocal style that is a combination of soaring falsettos and gritty rock vocals. In this article, we will look at how to sing like Alex Band from The Calling.

Vocal Range

One of the first things you need to do to sing like Alex Band is to determine your vocal range. This will help you identify the songs that you can sing comfortably and those that require you to stretch your voice. Singing Carrots has a great vocal range test that you can use to determine your range. The test compares your range with those of famous singers, including Alex Band. You can take the test by clicking the link here. Once you know your range, you can start practicing songs that fall within your comfort zone and gradually move to more challenging pieces.

Breathing

Breathing is an essential component of singing, and mastering it is vital if you want to sound like Alex Band. Proper breathing allows you to control your voice and sustain notes effortlessly. Singing Carrots has a blog post that explains the basics of breathing: Breathing basics. The post covers the different types of breathing, including the proper technique for using your diaphragm to support your voice. You can also use the Farinelli breathing exercise in the Skill-related Videos section to warm up your breathing muscles and get more air into your lungs.

Chest Voice and Falsetto

Alex Band's voice often mixes chest voice and falsetto seamlessly, resulting in a unique sound that grabs your attention. Singing Carrots' post on voice registers and vocal breaks: Voice registers & vocal break explains chest voice and falsetto, how to use them, and how to transition between them smoothly. There are videos in the Skill-related Videos section on chest voice and voice registers that you can use to practice different techniques and apply them to your singing.

Articulation and Phonetics

Alex Band's diction and ability to articulate words clearly make it possible to understand the lyrics clearly while still sounding good. Singing Carrots' post on articulation: Articulation explains the importance of clear speech and provides exercises to help you improve your diction. There is also a video on the Finger Bite exercise in the Skill-related Videos section that you can use to practice.

Emotion and Delivery

Alex Band's ability to deliver emotional performances is one of the hallmarks of The Calling's music. Singing Carrots' post on singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking: Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking provides tips on how to sing with emotion and connect with your audience. There is also a video on the Relaxing Breath exercise in the Skill-related Videos section that you can use to get into the right emotional state before a performance.

Songs to Showcase Techniques

To showcase the techniques discussed above, it is essential to practice songs that feature them. Here are some suggestions for songs that showcase Alex Band's vocal style and the techniques you can use to sing like him:

  • "Wherever You Will Go" - This song features Alex Band's signature falsetto combined with his powerful chest voice
  • "Our Lives" - This song showcases his ability to convey emotions through his singing
  • "Could It Be Any Harder" - This song highlights his excellent diction and clear articulation

Conclusion

Learning to sing like Alex Band takes time and practice, but with the right tools and techniques, you can master his unique style. Singing Carrots is an excellent resource for singers looking to improve their skills. Use the resources provided in this article to improve your breathing, chest voice, falsetto, articulation, emotion, and delivery. With time and consistent practice, you can sing like Alex Band and become a skilled singer.

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