How To Sing Alternative Rock Vocals – 10 PRO Tips🥇(2024)
Are you determined to become an accomplished alternative rock singer and take your singing career to the next level? Then you’ve come to the right place!
This article provides 10 essential tips to help you succeed as an alternative rock vocalist.
From gaining an understanding of the genre to honing your vocal technique, you’ll get the guidance and advice you need to make a name for yourself in the alternative rock music scene.
Get ready to start your journey and make a mark as an alternative rock singer!
How To Sing Alternative Rock Vocals
1: Warm-up Your Voice Before Singing
One of the most important steps to singing alternative rock is to properly warm-up your voice before singing. This is essential in order to prevent vocal strain and injury.
Begin with basic vocal warm-ups such as humming or lip rolls. These exercises help to loosen your vocal cords and prepare them for singing. Then, try singing scales and practice vocal exercises designed specifically for alternative rock singers.
Doing so will help you to reach the right notes, as well as sing with power and precision.
Below is a video demonstrating a 5-minute vocal warmup:
2: Breathe From The Diaphragm
The key to singing alternative rock is to ensure that your breathing technique is correct. To do this, it is important to breathe from your diaphragm.
This technique involves breathing deeply, without using your chest muscles, and allowing the air to fill your lungs. This allows more air to enter your system, enabling you to sing with more power and resonance than if you simply breathed using your chest muscles.
With practice, you will be able to use this technique to reach higher notes with ease and control.
Below is a video showing how to do this effectively:
3: Discover Your Vocal Range
Knowing your range will help you find the right keys to sing in and determine which songs are best suited for your voice.
To find your range, it is recommended to start by singing a comfortable note and then gradually increasing and decreasing your pitch until you hit the highest and lowest notes you can comfortably reach.
To discover your vocal range, it is recommended that singers learn from a professional vocal coach or take an online vocal test. We’ve included a video below where you can follow the instructions to determine your upper and lower range.
You’ll then be able to transpose songs to a key that fits your vocal range better, and therefore you’re not straining to hit the high/low notes.
4: Relax The Face And Neck Muscles
When singing alternative rock, it is important to be able to relax the face and neck muscles.
This can help to ensure a smooth and even vocal delivery, which can help to create a more pleasant sound.
By taking some deep breaths and consciously relaxing the muscles in the face and neck, by stretching and massaging with your fingers, singers will be able to use their full range of vocal abilities and will be able to perform the genre more easily.
Furthermore, relaxing the muscles can also help reduce tension which can cause strain on the voice.
5: Improve Your Mixed And Head Voice
One important aspect of singing alternative rock is to be able to transition between your mixed and head voice.
Working on your mixed voice can help you find the right balance between chest and head voice, while also helping you achieve greater vocal range and power.
Your head voice is the higher register of your vocal range that should be used to deliver sustained high notes, or vocal belts.
Working on both your mixed and head voice will help you become a more versatile singer and improve your overall sound.
6: Experiment With Different Harmonies
Experimenting with different harmonies can add a unique layer of depth to your overall sound.
By understanding the basics of harmony, such as staying in key and finding the right combinations of notes, you can begin to create your own unique musical style.
Start out by experimenting with harmonies that are within your vocal range to get a sense of what works best for your style, and then build from there. With a little bit of practice and patience, you’ll be able to find the right combination of harmonies that make your voice shine.
By trying out different approaches, it may be possible to discover a hidden layer of emotion behind the music that could make for an even more powerful performance.
7: Remember To Hydrate Your Voice
When singing alternative rock, it is important to remember to hydrate your voice.
This is because singing can be very taxing on the vocal cords, and without adequate hydration the cords may become strained or damaged.
Drinking plenty of water before and after singing can help keep your voice in top condition, allowing you to reach all the notes and sound your best.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid eating anything too large or heavy before a performance, as this can also impact the quality of your vocal performance.
8: Practice Singing On A Daily Basis
In order to master singing in the alternative rock style, it is essential to practice on a daily basis.
As we mentioned before, taking the time each day to warm up your vocal chords and practice breathing exercises can significantly help improve your singing voice over time.
It’s important to focus on vocal exercises that target the various techniques used in singing alternative rock. This includes learning to growl, scream, and belt out higher notes as well as other technical aspects.
Dedicating yourself to daily practice will help you gain the skills necessary to become an expert alternative rock singer.
We’ve provided some guidance below on the best daily vocal exercises to practice:
9: Study Your Idol Alt Rock Singers
If you’re looking to improve your alternative rock vocals, studying past and present alternative rock singers can be a great way to learn new techniques and hone your skills.
Many of today’s most successful alternative rock singers have risen to fame by learning from their predecessors, and taking influence from their own personal style.
Taking the time to listen to and analyze different alt rock singers can provide invaluable insight into how to sing alternative rock.
From breathing techniques to vocal range exercises, studying your favorite alt rock singers is sure to help you take your singing game to the next level..
As you perfect your craft, taking vocal lessons and seeking mentoring from other artists can be crucial.
10: Find Your Own Unique Sound & Style
When it comes to singing alternative rock, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each artist has their own unique style that they can bring to the genre.
To find your own sound, it’s important to take the time to listen to a variety of alternative rock songs and analyze what makes them distinct.
Pay attention to the vocal techniques used as well as the song structure and instrumentation.
Then, experiment with different techniques and sounds until you find the style that works best for you.
With patience and practice, you’ll soon be able to develop your own unique sound in the alternative rock genre.
Conclusion
In conclusion, singing alternative rock can be an exhilarating and creative way to express yourself.
To master this art form, it is essential to understand the fundamentals such as vocal ranges, dynamics, and harmonies. Moreover, drinking plenty of water before performances, practicing on a daily basis, and studying your idols can help you refine your own style.
Additionally, to take your singing to the next level, an online singing program such as 30-Day Singer is highly recommended. This program offers a 14-day free trial, and provides flexibility, affordability, and access to a variety of vocal techniques and exercises.
With dedication and hard work, you can become an incredible alternative rock vocalist and reach your full potential.