Singing Guide: Thom Yorke

Singing Guide: Thom Yorke

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

Vocal technique

Thom Yorke's voice is known for its unique timbre, falsetto, and vibrato. He often uses mixed voice and sometimes uses gritty vocals to add emotion. His singing style is characterized by the use of unusual phrasing, unpredictable melodies, and sudden changes in dynamics.

Songs showcasing technique

Some of Thom Yorke's most notable songs, which showcase his vocal technique, include:

  • Paranoid Android: An epic song with multiple sections, often cited as one of Radiohead's best. Thom Yorke sings in mixed voice with a falsetto at the end of the song.
  • High and Dry: The chorus in this song is a great example of Thom Yorke's unique falsetto.
  • Street Spirit (Fade Out): This song features Thom Yorke's use of tremolo, vibrato, and mixed voice.
  • How to Disappear Completely: This song is a great example of Thom Yorke's use of dynamics and falsetto.

Vocal warm-up and breathing exercises

To sing like Thom Yorke, it's essential to improve the flexibility of your vocal cords. A great exercise for this is the Farinelli breathing exercise. It involves taking in a full breath, pushing the air down to your lower belly, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly.

Another exercise is the vocal fry, which helps in relaxing and strengthening the vocal cords, making your voice sound deeper and fuller. To do this, make a low scratchy sound, like the sound you make when clearing your throat.

Tips to achieve Thom Yorke’s vocal style

Here are some tips to sing like Thom Yorke:

  • Focus on your breath and sing with emotion.
  • Try to sing with mixed voice, falsetto, and vibrato to achieve a unique tone.
  • Experiment with phrasing and melodies to add interest to your singing.
  • Listen to Thom Yorke's songs and closely observe how he sings them.
  • Warm up your voice with exercises like the Farinelli breathing exercise and the vocal fry.

Singing Carrots resources

Singing Carrots offers many tools and resources to help you improve your singing skills. Here are some resources that can specifically help you in learning to sing like Thom Yorke:

By following these tips and utilizing Singing Carrots resources, you can learn how to sing like Thom Yorke and create your unique vocal style.

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