Singing Guide: Yazoo

Singing Guide: Yazoo

Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources

Are you a beginner or advanced singer?

How to Learn to Sing Like Yazoo

Yazoo, also known as Yaz in the United States, was an English synth-pop duo formed in 1981. The group consists of Alison Moyet on vocals and Vince Clarke on synthesizers. Together, Moyet and Clarke created a signature sound that has been influential in the synth pop genre. Moyet's soulful voice was a perfect match for Clarke's poppy, synthesised music. If you're a fan of Yazoo and want to learn how to sing like Alison Moyet, here are some tips.

Analyze Your Voice

Before you start singing like Moyet, it's important to identify your vocal range. Singing Carrots' Vocal Range Test can help you determine your range. This is important because Moyet's voice has a unique, wide range. Her vocal technique shifts between a piercingly high and a deep, soulful low register, all while maintaining a powerful, soulful character.

Breathing Basics

To sing like Moyet, work on building your breath support. Singing Carrots' Breathing Basics article goes into detail about how to control your breathing. Moyet's ability to hold out long, soulful notes is a result of her strong breath support. Focus on breathing deeply and evenly to build your support.

Articulation and Emotion

Moyet has incredible control over her voice's articulation. She has a particular skill in emphasising the lyrics to her songs' fullest extent. Check out Singing Carrots' Articulation article for tips on pronouncing each word clearly. Moyet approaches each song with the right amount of emotion. If you can put yourself in the right mood to project feeling, it may help you to sing better.

Singing Visible Notes

Singing Carrots' Vocal Pitch Monitor lets you see the notes that you're singing. This tool can help ensure that you are singing each note correctly, which is important for mimicking Moyet's signature soulful sound.

Song Selection

Yazoo's musical style is best classified as synth-pop. If you want to sing like Alison Moyet, you need to practice singing to some of the duo's songs like "Only You" and "Nobody's Diary," Finding songs that match your vocal range can prove challenging, but with Singing Carrots' Search songs by vocal range, you'll find appropriate choices faster.

Conclusion

Yazoo offered unique sounds that blend pop and soulful music that Alison Moyet's powerful vocal range contributed to. To sing like her, you need a combination of techniques: breath support, proper articulation, emotion. Also, utilising Singing Carrots' tools. Learning songs, matching the vocal range, and singing them often might be the best way to find the sound of Yazoo vocals, especially with the help of the exercises provided in Pitch Training - Educational Singing Game. Good luck in your journey!

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