Vibrato practice piece. Take the first step toward becoming a great singer!
Among karaoke lovers, many people are probably thinking, “I want to become a better singer.” While researching how to improve your singing, quite a few of you may also be thinking, “I want to master vibrato.” Vibrato refers to a singing technique that oscillates pitch and/or volume up and down, and it enhances expressiveness in your singing.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of songs that are perfect for practicing vibrato.
Different artists and songs feature various styles of vibrato, so study many performances and use them as material to help you improve.
We look forward to the day you showcase your wonderful singing.
- Songs that make it easy to practice vibrato / Recommended songs for those who want to practice
- Vibrato practice piece. Take the first step toward becoming a great singer!
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- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Recommended for great singers! A collection of impressive songs if you can sing them
- [Karaoke] A compilation of Vocaloid songs that are easy to sing even for people with low voices
- I want to sing songs that use a lot of falsetto—tracks that are also good for practicing falsetto at karaoke.
Vibrato practice pieces. Take your first step toward great singing! (1–10)
AmyTHE ORAL CIGARETTES
This is THE ORAL CIGARETTES’ second major-label single, released on April 22, 2015.
It’s an upbeat, catchy song with a very familiar melody, making it a great practice piece for male vocal rock—there’s plenty to learn beyond just vibrato.
The way vibrato is used on the sustained notes in the chorus might feel a bit idiosyncratic, but it’s excellent for mastering a wide, pitch-swing vibrato.
Practice keeping your volume steady while smoothly connecting to the next note.
A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru
A digital-only track by Hikaru Utada, released on April 15, 2016.
It was the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Toto Nee-chan.” It’s a medium-tempo ballad with a simple arrangement centered on piano and strings.
The vocal melody is very straightforward, which makes it all the more enjoyable to hear Utada’s wide range of vocal expressions, including her vibrato.
Be sure to pay attention to how she shapes pitch and volume in her long sustained notes—you’ll make plenty of discoveries!
If I had been living aloneSUPER BEAVER
This is SUPER BEAVER’s 12th single, released on June 10, 2020.
It seems to have been released as a sort of double A-side together with the simultaneously included track “Highlight.” The song makes extensive use of long-tone vocal melodies, making it very easy to hear where vibrato is used; it’s an excellent piece for practicing vibrato technique.
In particular, the a cappella section at the beginning makes the use of vibrato especially clear, so listen closely and study it.
In the chorus and the D section, there are many high long tones, so practice with care: let your voice vibrate while making sure you don’t lose vocal projection.
Vibrato practice songs. Take the first step toward great singing! (11–20)
sign; mark; symbol; omenMr.Children
It was the theme song for the drama “14-sai no Haha” (14-Year-Old Mother) and became a big hit along with the show.
The song is 7 minutes and 12 seconds long, and because it features many long sustained notes, you might naturally develop vibrato if you manage to sing the entire piece.
For male singers, the verse (A-melo) is probably the easiest place to add subtle vibrato.
Also, the chorus is in a high range, so be careful not to strain.
To avoid tensing your throat, keep your gaze focused into the distance when you project your voice.
Although the song is 7 minutes and 12 seconds long, it doesn’t feel that long when you actually sing it, so definitely try practicing with “Shirushi.”
Last LoveKato Miria
A ballad single released in 2010.
The melody leans toward R&B, with breath flow and nuance being crucial.
There are many long notes at the ends of phrases, and if you can express emotion as if you’re diving into the song, natural vibrato tends to come out and it matches the track perfectly.
The arrangement builds toward the latter half, and because you keep the breath flowing as you sing, there are always sustained parts.
You can lightly add a wavering tail from the very beginning, of course, but if you want to practice vibrato while sustaining, the melody line after the last chorus is recommended.
Try singing with a touch of heartache, imagining yourself gently swaying along with the feeling.
ORIONNakajima Mika
It was Mika Nakashima’s 27th single, released on November 12, 2008.
It was used as an insert song in the drama “Ryusei no Kizuna” (Bonds of the Meteor).
At the beginning of the track, there’s a section where she sings the chorus melody accompanied only by an acoustic guitar; I think this part is ideal as a reference for subtle vocal expression using vibrato.
Even though the pitch wavers, her projection doesn’t weaken—truly impressive.
It might also be good to pay attention to the contrast with how she handles the long notes in the chorus after the rhythm comes in.
Letter ~To You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki
In the junior high school division, it was selected as the required piece for the 75th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.
It’s a piano ballad characterized by many long tones.
I imagine many people sing it at karaoke, too.
The overall vocal range spans G3 to D5, and the range gradually rises from the B section.
Since the lyrics directly convey emotions, it’s easy to use vibrato as a “tremble of feeling.” When singing, if you force your voice, it becomes harder to produce vibrato with your throat, so take in plenty of breath and let out air along with your voice.
Try singing as if aiming into the distance.