[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!
- Recommended karaoke songs for male vocalists with high voices
- [Taking on a song with a wide vocal range] An S-class challenge track
- A masterpiece with exhilarating high notes. An enchanting high-tone voice.
- [Feels Great to Listen To!] Popular Songs by Female Artists with Captivating High Notes
- I want to sing songs that use a lot of falsetto—tracks that are also good for practicing falsetto at karaoke.
- Recommended for great singers! A collection of impressive songs if you can sing them
- [If You Can Sing These, You're Amazing!] Cool Karaoke Songs for Women
- Pick out the challenging songs that will earn you respect if you can nail them at karaoke!
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Recommended for teenage girls! Easy-to-sing karaoke songs
- [Challenge] A Compilation of Anime Songs with High-Pitched Melodies and High-Tone Vocals
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Great for karaoke song selection! Recommended easy-to-sing songs for Gen Z women
[High Notes Warning!] Very High-Pitched Songs That Are Hard to Sing (211–220)
CITRUSDa-iCE
Da-iCE’s “CITRUS” shot to fame as a high-tone song! I bet many of you, regardless of gender, have tried singing it.
The overall range of the song is F3–D5, which makes it a more comfortable key for women.
Da-iCE singing in such a high register is something many men look up to! The verses (A and B sections) sit in a relatively calm range, but the tricky part is how the chorus suddenly jumps up into the high notes.
When you’re hitting tones this high, if you can’t switch cleanly into head voice, you’ll strain your throat.
Keep the resonance focused in your head at all times—doing so naturally lifts your facial muscles, so don’t forget to stay mindful of that! You’ll also need explosive power, so project your voice as if you’re aiming far into the distance.
The final chorus modulates and goes even higher, so it’s okay to sing out more than you think you need!
If I’m with youLittle Glee Monster
This is Little Glee Monster’s third digital single, released on June 9, 2021.
The track was produced by the four members excluding Serina, who is currently on hiatus, and for now it seems to be referred to as an “unfinished new song.” With that in mind, when Serina returns, a newly recorded version will likely be released.
That aside, their vocals on this track are truly outstanding—the crystal-clear, soaring high tones in the chorus are particularly noteworthy.
And of course, their vocal harmonies, one of their trademarks, are excellent as well.
It might be difficult to reproduce those harmonies at karaoke, but give it a try!
MikazukiSanketsu Shoujo Sayuri
This is Sayuri’s major-label debut single, released on August 26, 2015.
It was used as the ending theme for the Fuji TV anime Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace.
The song was crafted to make the most of Sayuri’s slightly high-pitched voice, making it an ideal karaoke choice for women with a similar vocal quality.
When performing it, it’s best to sing with a technique that emphasizes higher overtones as much as possible.
chantAdo
This is Ado’s 18th digital-only single, released in September 2023.
It’s a collaboration track for Universal Studios Japan’s Halloween event “Halloween Horror Nights,” and it serves as the theme song for the dance show “Zombie de Dance,” having been used since the 2023 edition of the event.
The song is crafted as an EDM number with a strikingly oriental and exotic mood.
Ado’s high tones aren’t the typical clear, transparent highs, but the way she belts through this intricately rising and falling melody is quite impressive.
Speaking as a vocal coach, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this approach because it places considerable strain on the throat, but those powerful high notes are worthy of praise.
Her use of falsetto in the quieter passages is lovely as well.
Please enjoy it.
Biscuitchanmina
Chanmina is a female rapper who enjoys overwhelming support from women.
She’s not only a rapper but also excels in vocal ability, consistently delivering high-level performances that turn into hits.
Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Biscuit.
For the most part, it doesn’t venture into high notes; it’s largely composed around the mid to low register.
However, the C section is different.
There’s a part where she uses a powerful mixed voice on a sustained note, making the momentary difficulty extremely high.
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism
This song gives the impression of a moving, listenable ballad.
To sing it with a beautiful, breathy tone like vocalist Fujiwara’s, lung capacity, diaphragmatic breathing, and bodily awareness are all important.
You might think, “There’s so much to keep in mind…,” but don’t worry! First, when you sing, make sure to really listen to the backing drums.
If you sing in sync with the drum accents, it becomes easier to keep the rhythm and to hit the high notes.
By the way, even my female students struggled with this song, saying, “It’s so high!”—I think the key is how you produce the sound.
If you sing with the image of resonating in the back of your head, the overall feel becomes softer, bringing you closer to Fujiwara’s gentle tone.
There are also soaring long tones, so try finding the placement where you can produce them comfortably and sing from there.
Love SongUru
This is singer-songwriter Uru’s 11th single, released on August 25, 2021.
It was also chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “My Fair Prince,” so many of you have probably heard it.
The song has a slightly bouncy, medium-to-slow tempo, and it showcases Uru’s beautiful falsetto with soaring high notes.
It really reflects her strong vocal ability: in parts like the A-melody, you also need to sing solid low notes, so if you’re simply “good at high notes,” you might still find it challenging to perform.
Precisely because of that, if you can sing this song well at karaoke, you’re sure to capture everyone’s attention!