Singing Guide: Walk The Moon
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Walk The Moon is an American indie rock band formed in Ohio in 2006. The lead vocalist and keyboardist, Nicholas Petricca, has developed an energetic and highly theatrical stage persona that complements his vocal style: a tenor range that can cover four octaves. His explosive delivery and falsetto, combined with coy flirtation, make Walk The Moon concerts something of a glorious, glittering dance party.
To learn how to sing like Nicholas Petricca, the first and most important step is to develop your vocal range. Petricca’s unique style of singing involves a mix of chest and head voice, allowing him to hit high notes effortlessly. Start by taking Vocal Range Test to determine your own vocal range, then work from there.
To replicate Petricca’s vocal style, focus on using falsetto in the high notes and switching to a “head voice” to hit the high notes. Learning breath support and proper diaphragm use will also help in producing these high notes. Check out Singing Carrots articles on Breath Support and Active & Passive Breathing for additional information and tips.
Another key element to Petricca’s style is his use of vibrato. Vibrato is the slight oscillation of pitch immediately following a note, and it adds a natural touch to a singer’s voice. Learn how to sing with vibrato using the resources provided in the Links section.
To really master the Walk The Moon style, it’s important to practice with songs that showcase Petricca’s unique vocal abilities. Check out “Shut Up and Dance” and “Anna Sun,” two of Walk The Moon’s biggest hits that showcase Petricca’s lively and energetic performance style. For additional practice, utilize the Singing Carrots vocal training resources, especially the Pitch Training exercises.
Finally, don’t forget to use the Pitch Monitor tool, which allows you to see your sung notes on a virtual piano, and provides instant feedback on how to improve your pitch accuracy. Combined with regular practice and dedication, you will soon be able to sing like Nicholas Petricca and give an electrifying performance, just like he does!