[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
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Recommended for teenage girls! Easy-to-sing karaoke songs
- Challenge yourself with difficult songs at karaoke! Tracks that will earn you praise if you can sing them well
- [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!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (31–40)
To Hikarimiwa
Contrary to her cute looks and singing voice, singer-songwriter miwa made her major debut after steadily performing at live houses during her student days.
Her 9th single Hikari e, written as the theme song for the TV drama Rich Man, Poor Woman, features a four-on-the-floor beat and a refreshing arrangement that really lifts your mood.
Since the key is high from the very beginning throughout the entire song, and even higher notes appear at the end of the chorus, caution is needed.
If you’re a woman who’s good at high tones, this is a song where you can truly be the star—why not try it at karaoke?
Wolverine Nenzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni is a band that consistently showcases a wide range of musical styles without sacrificing catchiness.
While their recent output has leaned toward louder tracks, they’ve just released a piece brimming with clarity and chic flair: Kuzuri Nen.
The vocal line itself is catchy, but because fine-grained falsetto appears in most parts, it demands more delicate vocal control than it may seem when listening.
It’s not just straightforward falsetto either—the use of mixed voice adds another layer of difficulty.
Give it a try.
Zankyo SankaAimer
Released on January 12, 2022 as a single by Aimer.
Incidentally, it was issued as a double A-side with “Asa ga Kuru.” It was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc.
“Asa ga Kuru” serves as the ending theme for the same anime.
It’s a very up-tempo track that seems perfect for an energetic time at karaoke.
Although Aimer herself doesn’t have an especially high natural vocal range and is often perceived as having a husky voice, her vocals on this song—especially in the chorus—brilliantly convey the sharply rising and falling melody by skillfully switching between chest voice and falsetto (head voice).
For women with naturally higher voices who excel at high notes, the passages using falsetto could be a real showcase.
Into The LightMISIA
People who excel at soaring high notes often choose to sing MISIA’s songs! Among them, I picked “INTO THE LIGHT” this time.
It was released the same year as her debut single “Tsutsumi Komu Yō ni…” and is extremely popular among fans.
The powerful vocals and those strikingly high tones that make you think “How high can she go?” are signature features.
The overall range spans from F#3 to F#5, reaching notes you don’t often use—truly impressive.
Because it’s so high throughout, you really need to focus on breath volume, explosiveness, and core engagement; delivering it like a piercing, chest-voice-like sound is quite challenging.
But the exhilaration after finishing is incredible, so sing it boldly and wow everyone around you!
promiseHirose Kōmi
She’s often called the “Queen of Winter,” and “promise” is also loved as part of that tradition during the winter season.
It features a passionate, dramatic melody and a structure that shows off vocal ability, with a chorus that leaps into the high register from the A and B sections.
I sing it often myself, but the tricky part is definitely the chorus.
It combines a brisk tempo, fast passages, and extremely high notes—all three at once.
Also, it’s easy to speed up in the chorus once you get into it, so aim to sing with enough composure.
When transitioning from the A/B sections to the chorus, try lifting your eyebrows and engaging your facial muscles so the shift in melody feels smoother.
[High Notes Warning!] High-Pitched Songs That Are Hard to Sing (41–50)
Dear…Nishino Kana
This single was released on December 2, 2009, and was used in commercials for DOCOMO supporting exam-takers, as well as in commercials for RecoChoku.
The song’s overall vocal range spans two octaves from F3 to F5, with the verse being quite low and then exploding into a very high register in the chorus.
Although Kana Nishino’s songs are generally perceived as consistently high, there are many tracks like “Dear…” that also use low notes, which makes the range broader.
However, because the tempo is relaxed, as long as you manage your breathing properly, you should be able to maintain the stamina to sing the whole song.
Rather than focusing only on the high notes, be mindful not to let the low notes in the verse sound muffled.
Low pitches tend to drop into the throat, so the key is to raise your eyebrows and project the voice forward as if pushing it out.
unrequited lovemiwa
Miwa is known for her cute voice that perfectly matches her adorable appearance, and you can also expect her songs to be easy to sing.
There aren’t many intricate performance elements—just singing them straightforwardly works great.
If you struggle because you can only hit high notes, definitely give her songs a try at least once.