subject: Rock Singing Technique [print this page] The proper rock singing technique lends your songs power. Rock songs are known for power guitar chords. Rock songs have powerful lyrics. The tone of a rock songs are meant to inspire powerful emotions. The emotions can range from sadness, rebellion, having a good time, passion, or even introspection. No matter what emotions a rock song evokes however, one thing is clear. The listener is meant to feel them powerfully. So it stands to reason that when a performer sings a rock song, their voices are going to be powerful.
The Diaphragm
When a rock singer belts out a song, they will almost always at some point in the song sing from the diaphragm, or the chest. They will do this for most of the song, and if not, the chorus will be sung powerfully. Singing this way is called rocking out. The singer belts out their lyrics in this style, because the singer wants to express that they are really feeling what they are singing about. The singer also wants to use their voice to not only evoke emotion, but to create energy.
Singing Runs
Along with singing from the diaphragm, it's not unusual for the singer to screech, yell, or do runs when they sing. Doing a run as it pertains to singing means to sing a note or a phrase, and to hold the note for an extended period of time. When a person runs, they not only hold that note for a period of time, they will vary in the tone and the notes that they sing the phrase. This technique is very common in rhythm and blues music. This is noteworthy because rock music evolved from rhythm and blues. Many of the legendary rock acts of our time were students of the blues, and incorporated that style of music and singing into rock.
Belt it Out
The average person can sing using a rock technique, because most people like to belt out their notes when they sing. Belting is another way of saying that a person is singing powerfully. They are using the full strength of their lungs and diaphragm, and pushing out air and sound to sing. The energy of rock music lends itself to being able to sing in this way.
There are many ways for a person to practice singing, using a rock singing technique. They can turn on the radio to a classic rock station, or buy some songs. They should listen to how the singer uses their vocal inflections. They will notice the runs for sure. What they should be feeling is free, and like having fun. Rock music is fun, and is all about cutting loose. It's creative and explorative. So if a person wants to rock out and sing, they should be ready to lose their inhibitions, and let themselves go for it.
