[High-pitched warning!] Songs with high notes that are hard to sing
The Japanese music scene is known for having a relatively low emphasis on groove, but an unusually large number of high-pitched songs.
In particular, since Japan has finally started earnestly incorporating overseas music in recent years, the overall level of songs has risen dramatically.
With that in mind, this time we’ve picked out Japanese songs that are on the higher side.
From songs with a wide vocal range, to tracks that have pinpoint high parts, to songs that stay in the high register throughout, we selected from a broad set of perspectives—so be sure to find the tracks that suit you!
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- I want to sing songs that use a lot of falsetto—tracks that are also good for practicing falsetto at karaoke.
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[High-pitched caution!] Difficult high-range songs to sing (121–130)
early summerAdo
Ado’s new song “Shoka” (Early Summer).
All of her works boast an extraordinarily high level of difficulty, and this one is no exception.
Rather than the high notes being simply extremely hard, the song demands that you master frequent shouts throughout while also handling falsetto, so it’s not enough to just hit high notes—you need comprehensive vocal ability.
It also calls for a significant degree of expressiveness.
Given all these factors, it’s no exaggeration to say that fewer than 1% of people could truly pull this song off.
NonsensePenthouse
Penthouse is a band with both male and female vocals.
They describe their style as city soul and excel at producing glamorous, sharp tracks.
Their new song, Nonsense, showcases just that.
Along with powerful shouts, it features a variety of techniques that evoke elements of Black music like R&B and soul—such as ad-lib-style “feints” and funky falsetto.
The falsetto in the chorus is especially challenging, as it requires a sudden leap in pitch from chest voice, making it quite difficult.
EGOISTimase
Singer-songwriter imase is known for his use of falsetto.
His falsetto is somewhat distinctive, rooted in a vocal approach similar to funk singers.
His new track “EGOIST” features that falsetto throughout.
If that were all, it would be business as usual for imase, but in this song the falsetto sits unusually low in range, making pitch control more challenging.
The composition is also somewhat irregular, making it a piece that really tests one’s musical sensibilities.
Sky and Blueieiri reo
This is Leo Ieiri’s 17th single, released in January 2021.
Since the song kicks off right from the chorus, you can enjoy a performance full of high-tone vocals from the very beginning, making generous use of falsetto.
The melodic lines often sit in a higher range, and Leo Ieiri’s slightly cute voice—rich in higher-order overtones—intensifies the impression of a “high” vocal sound.
When singing it at karaoke, be mindful of switching smoothly into falsetto.
If you’re confident in your high notes, it might also be fun to belt the highs in chest voice for a more powerful take!
[High Notes Warning!] Very high songs that are hard to sing (131–140)
WithIkuta Rira
A female singer who is also active as a member of the music duo YOASOBI, Lila Ikuta released this digital-only single in October 2023.
It was produced as an inspiration song for the film ‘Analog.’ It’s a very beautiful ballad, and within this lovely track, Lila Ikuta showcases stunning high notes, starting with her crystal-clear falsetto.
This is definitely one of the best choices for women who are good at singing high notes to select for karaoke.
Pay attention to switching among chest voice, mixed voice, and falsetto—using a variety of high-tone techniques as you sing.
SignIkuta Rira
Rira Ikuta’s new song “Sign.” While YOASOBI tends to have a catchy sound, her solo work features songs that demand high technical skill.
Among them, this piece is particularly difficult.
The whole song is challenging, but above all, the pitch movement is extremely intense.
In addition to the rapid rises and falls in pitch, you also need to produce solid falsetto, so the level of pitch control required is on par with Vocaloid.
Definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece “Umi no Yuurei,” released in June 2019, stands out among his songs for its distinctly Japanese flavor and ethereal melody.
The A and B sections are relatively calm, and the moment the chorus hits, the pitch movement suddenly becomes dramatic—making the song deceptively challenging even in its simplicity.
While the track calls for mixed voice, falsetto also appears very frequently, so rather than strictly matching the original, it’s better to switch between falsetto and mixed voice within your own comfortable range.