Singing Guide: Vampire Weekend

Singing Guide: Vampire Weekend

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

If you want to learn how to sing like Vampire Weekend, there are a few key things you should keep in mind. One of the most notable aspects of lead singer Ezra Koenig's voice is his distinctive style of delivery, characterized by an upbeat, playful energy that pairs well with the band's unique blend of indie rock, African rhythms, and post-punk influences.

To start, it's important to work on your breath support and diaphragmatic control. As you listen to Vampire Weekend's music, pay close attention to Koenig's phrasing and rhythm, and try to emulate it in your own singing. Practice a variety of warm-up exercises, such as Farinelli breathing or diaphragm bounces, to help you manage your airflow and stamina.

Another key element of Koenig's style is his use of falsetto and vibrato, which gives his voice a distinct, light quality. Practice exercises that accentuate these techniques, such as the vibrato exercises from Singing Carrots or belting exercises like heavy modal and twang.

Since Vampire Weekend incorporates African and other world rhythms into their music, it's also important to work on developing your sense of pitch and rhythm. Singing along to their tracks can help with this, as can using Singing Carrots' pitch accuracy test and vocal pitch monitor.

You can also benefit from Singing Carrots' pitch training tool, which provides interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualizations, and exercises for range and agility.

Finally, it's important to maintain good vocal health. Make sure you stay hydrated, maintain good posture, and learn how to avoid constrictions while singing. Our blog has plenty of helpful resources on these topics and more.

With some practice and guidance from Singing Carrots, you can learn to sing like Ezra Koenig and bring your own unique energy to Vampire Weekend's music.

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