Singing Guide: The Presidents of the United States of America
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
The Presidents of the United States of America (PUSA) is a quirky, fun, and energetic band that has earned a cult following for their playful, humorous lyrics and catchy hooks. Learning to sing like one of their vocalists, Chris Ballew, can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. In this article, we'll explore some of his unique techniques and highlight a few of their best songs.
One of the most notable aspects of Chris Ballew's singing style is his use of falsetto. This technique involves singing in a higher register than your natural voice, often resulting in a more light and airy sound. You can train your falsetto by doing vocal warm-ups, such as those found in Singing Carrots' Pitch Training game or the Farinelli Breathing technique.
In addition to falsetto, Ballew also utilizes a lot of vibrato in his singing. Vibrato is a fluctuation in pitch that adds texture and emotion to your voice. Singing Carrots has a great video that teaches how to incorporate Vibrato into your singing using the Diaphragm Bounce and Beggars Bounce exercises.
Ballew's clear and enunciated diction helps make his quirky and often playful lyrics easy to understand. To improve articulation, try doing the Finger Bite exercise found in Singing Carrots' skill-related videos.
Some of PUSA's most memorable songs include "Peaches," "Lump," and "Kitty." All three of these tracks showcase Ballew's unique vocal style. "Peaches" features Ballew's falsetto and catchy lyrics, while "Lump" shows off his use of vibrato. "Kitty" has a more subdued vocal approach, but Ballew's clear enunciation and playful lyrics help bring the song to life.
In addition to using Singing Carrots' pitch training and range tools to improve your voice, consider taking their educational singing course to learn more techniques and tips for improving your skills. With practice and perseverance, you can learn to sing like Chris Ballew and bring some fun and energy to your performances.