[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!
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[Challenging Songs with a Wide Vocal Range] S-Rank Difficulty Challenge Songs (71–80)
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece “Umi no Yuurei,” released in June 2019, features a distinctly Japanese flavor and a fantastical melody, even among his works.
The A and B sections are somewhat subdued, and the moment the chorus begins, the pitch movement suddenly becomes very dramatic—making the song quite challenging in a straightforward musical sense.
While the piece employs 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 singing range.
sparkleFuji Kaze
Fujii Kaze, the singer-songwriter known for hits like “Nan Nan w” and “Tabiji.” His song “Kirari” doesn’t sound all that difficult when you’re just listening, but it’s surprisingly tough when you actually try to sing it.
The song is mid-tempo, yet the rhythm is distinctive, so keeping from drifting off-beat can be quite a challenge.
The trick is not to belt it out—sing gently with a tone that’s between chest voice and falsetto.
Keep that in mind when you practice!
wrinkle alignmentVaundy
“Shiwaawase” is a ballad released by Vaundy in 2021, a song that sings of universal love and bonds in a simple yet literary way.
Its sound expands majestically toward the finale, echoing the depth that comes with the passage of time.
While the A and B sections are sung gently, the explosive power of the chorus leaves a strong impression.
It makes frequent use of head voice—falsetto with minimal breathiness.
The key sits higher than typical male ranges, yet includes lower parts that can be challenging for many women, resulting in a wide vocal range.
It’s perfect for dividing the parts between two people and singing together.
Sharing the emotion through collaboration will make the sense of accomplishment all the greater!
[Challenging Songs with a Wide Vocal Range] S-Rank Difficulty Challenge Songs (81–90)
Happy EnderTHE BEAT GARDEN
THE BEAT GARDEN is a music unit known for its rare lineup of four vocalists and one DJ.
Their new song “Happy Ender” spans a very wide vocal range.
The most striking feature is the mixed voice.
Mixed voice appears throughout the track, and because it’s the type that requires powerful, belted delivery, the piece is quite selective in terms of who can even produce the necessary vocals.
On top of that, the vocal line has dramatic rises and falls, making this undeniably an S-tier difficulty song.
Trace that dreamYOASOBI
Ano Yume o Nazotte has a very wide vocal range.
It spans D#3 to E5, with a lower range that extends more than other YOASOBI songs.
Speaking of YOASOBI, the choruses are especially known for being high.
The A melody stays in the low range, but from this point, keep your throat open and let the breath flow.
Making a surprised face helps open your throat.
Keep that state as you move into the chorus.
In the chorus, there are also long notes, so engage your lower abdomen to keep your body steady, and send your voice straight out without hesitation.
That way, your breath will flow properly, your voice won’t catch, and you’ll likely sing more comfortably.
Try it over and over!
proofflumpool
It seems this was the set piece for the 2011 78th NHK National School Music Competition, Junior High Division! The vocal range is quite wide, from A2 to C5.
The falsetto parts appear in the chorus.
The melody line is easy to follow, and it builds well through the flow of Verse A → Verse B → Chorus → Last Chorus.
First, the A section is quite low, so be careful not to overuse your throat there.
If you watch people singing in a choir or look at the singers’ facial expressions, you’ll notice their eyebrows and facial muscles lift quite a bit.
Just by lifting those facial muscles, your throat opens up and it becomes easier to produce sound.
Doing this also helps you transition smoothly from chest voice to falsetto, so I recommend it! Also, make sure to fully release your breath in the high falsetto parts.
If you aim your voice straight up above your head, you’ll gradually get used to it and find it easier to sing!
Fu re te Fu re ruTK from RIN TO SHITE SIGURE
The B-side to “unravel,” arguably TK’s signature song, is actually “Fu re te Fu re ru.” It explodes with even higher tones and more falsetto than “unravel,” and it’s one of my absolute favorites—I sing it at karaoke whenever I can.
Rather than a pure, pretty falsetto, TK’s falsetto pierces like a cry, and unless you can naturally hit high notes, it’s a tough song to pull off.
That said, if you think of it as a way to practice high notes, I highly recommend it for rock lovers! It’s fine to start with a weak falsetto.
Just keep practicing using your breath over and over, and gradually build your explosiveness—that’s the basic approach!