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[Taking on a song with a wide vocal range] An S-class challenge track
Have you ever had a song you wanted to sing at karaoke, only to give up because the vocal range was too wide? Songs that span three octaves or feature virtuosic techniques rated at difficulty S are certainly challenging to master.
But if you understand their appeal and learn some vocal tips, you’ll find more joy in taking on the challenge.
In this article, we focus on popular songs known for their wide ranges and highlight key points to keep in mind when singing them at karaoke.
Use it as a guide to make your karaoke life even more fulfilling!
[Challenging songs with a wide vocal range] S‑rank difficulty challenge songs (1–10)
InfernoMrs. GREEN APPLE
When people hear “artists or bands with a wide vocal range,” many probably think of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE first.
Their song Inferno, released in 2019, features a distinctly stronger rock flavor compared to their more recent tracks.
The most challenging aspect of this piece is undoubtedly the chorus, which repeatedly alternates between chest voice and falsetto.
While advanced techniques like vibrato or vocal runs are hardly required, the pitch control is very demanding, making it a song that significantly narrows who can sing it well.
It’s Nothing (movie ver.)RADWIMPS
The ending theme song of the film “Your Name.” is a challenging piece with a very wide vocal range from low to high.
When singing, the biggest key is breath and voice control to switch between delicate lows and powerful highs.
It starts quietly and gradually builds, so the chorus’s sense of intensity and contrast is very important.
The tempo is relaxed, so you should have plenty of time to breathe.
Take a deep breath with diaphragmatic breathing and let it all out in the chorus.
For the talk-like delivery in the A section, singing as if you’re telling it to yourself will help create the right mood.
IKAROSKing Gnu
IKAROS by King Gnu, a song driven by an indie-style melody that sparked a boom from 2022 to 2023.
While its very relaxed tempo and expansive falsetto and mixed voice are striking, the truly challenging aspect of this piece actually lies in the low notes.
The highest note is hi C#—not extraordinarily high—but partway through the song, low-note phrases suddenly appear.
The lowest note there is low C#, which is quite difficult even for the average male singer, so it’s fair to say this song ranks at S-class difficulty.
HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s new song “Heaven.” When it comes to Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, Motoki Omori’s high-tone voice is arguably the most striking feature, and this track makes full use of his upper register throughout.
In addition to extremely high mixed voice and falsetto, the song even opens with a very low phrase.
The low part is brief, but the overall vocal range of the piece is exceptionally wide, making it no exaggeration to call this an extraordinarily difficult song.
If we suppose that there is something beyond the terminus.Tsuyu
Released on July 14, 2021, this song powerfully conveys earnest emotions while carrying a heavy theme.
It’s quite challenging, as it requires both a wide vocal range and expressive delivery.
The overall range spans F#3 to G5, suiting Tsuyu’s vocalist Rei, who excels in higher registers.
By the way, Tsuyu also performed “Kizutsukedo, Aishiteru,” the ending theme for season 2 of the anime Tokyo Revengers.
Many listeners might recognize a similar vibe between the two.
The key is to sing the high notes with a hint of falsetto.
Also, when you really immerse yourself emotionally, you may find new tones emerging, so it’s recommended to sing while understanding the lyrics.
I’m so embarrassed I can’t stand it.Yonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s classic “Hazukashikutte Shouga Nee” is striking for its unique chord progression.
Many of his songs feature phrases that jump suddenly from chest voice to falsetto, and I think many people find that challenging.
In this song, such phrases do appear in the chorus, but the pitch is actually manageable with mixed voice, so it’s not really the hard part.
The truly difficult section lies in the low notes of the A melody.
The song’s lowest note is a very low low E, and it sustains that range for quite a long time.
Since people in their teens and twenties today tend to have lighter, more youthful voices, those who can convincingly sing the A melody of this piece are likely quite rare.
The night is faintly aglow.EVE
Eve, who enjoys immense popularity in the utaite community, has a strikingly unique voice—sleek and glossy yet somehow childlike.
Among his songs, the one I especially recommend is Yoru wa Honoka.
You might find the falsetto in the chorus challenging, but it isn’t significantly harder than a typical high-range song.
The real tricky part is the low notes right after the chorus; very few male singers can deliver this section with the minimum required volume.
If you’re confident in your falsetto technique and lower register, definitely give it a try.