Tom Petty was a unique musician in the rock genre. He was known for his straightforward, emotional lyrics and his powerful, raspy voice. His vocal style was influenced by great artists like Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and The Beatles, from whom he took inspiration to develop his own sound.

Petty's uniqueness also came from his ability to sing songs that were written in very unusual keys, which made him well known for his ability to sing in a high pitch range. This was highlighted in a wide range of songs, such as "Refugee," "Breakdown," and "Learning to Fly."

If you want to learn to sing like Tom Petty, there are some things you can do to get started:

• Develop your breathing technique: Good breathing is essential for any singer, but it's particularly important when trying to deliver powerful songs, as was the case with Tom Petty. Check out the Breathing basics article for some practical advice.
• Learn the importance of vocal range: The Voice types article will provide you with insights into vocal ranges, including registers, and voice breaks, which will help you understand better what type of voice you have and how to make the most of it.
• Practice songs in unusual keys: Tom Petty was known for singing songs in non-traditional keys. If you want to expand your vocal range, try out the Vocal range test tool to determine your range and then practice singing songs that push you to the limits of that range.
• Understand the importance of proper articulation: Tom Petty was very clear and concise in his diction. You can enhance your articulation skills by incorporating some of the exercises highlighted in the Articulation article and the Finger Bite video.
• Learn how to connect emotionally with your audience: Tom Petty was a master at singing with emotion. If you want to learn how to connect with the emotions of your audience and develop your own authentic voice, check out the Singing with intuition, skills, emotion, and thinking article.

Lastly, if you want to improve your overall singing skills and gain more knowledge about singing, consider taking our educational singing course. Here you will learn tips and practical techniques on warm-ups, posture, singing mechanics, and much more, all presented through easy-to-understand and fun singing lessons.