Vocal style is a singer’s unique way of delivering a song. It encompasses everything from tone, phrasing, and dynamics to the emotional depth and character they bring to the performance. Just as visual artists have a distinct way of painting or sculpting, vocalists develop a personal style that defines how they interpret music and connect with their audience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced performer, understanding and developing your vocal style is key to expressing your individuality and standing out as an artist.
But how exactly do you find your own vocal style? Let’s break it down.
1. Understand Your Natural Voice
The first step in developing your vocal style is to understand your natural voice. Everyone’s voice is unique, shaped by genetics, anatomy, and training. Start by singing comfortably within your natural range and pay attention to your voice’s inherent qualities—whether it’s smooth, raspy, bright, or dark. Your tone is the foundation of your vocal style, and it’s important to embrace what makes your voice sound distinctive. Don’t try to mimic someone else’s voice; instead, focus on how your natural timbre can be used creatively.
2. Experiment with Different Genres
Vocal style is often influenced by the genre of music you sing. A classical singer’s style will differ greatly from that of a jazz vocalist or a pop artist. Try singing in different styles and genres to see which feels most authentic and comfortable to you. Pay attention to how each genre influences your tone, phrasing, and vocal dynamics.
- Pop music often involves clean, controlled tones with catchy phrasing.
- Jazz allows for more freedom, improvisation, and vocal runs.
- Rock might feature a rawer, more powerful sound, with more emphasis on grit and emotion.
- Soul or R&B often demands an emotive, smooth delivery with lots of dynamic shifts.
By experimenting, you can identify which elements of each genre resonate with you and weave them into your own unique vocal style.
3. Focus on Emotional Expression
A key component of vocal style is emotional expression. The best singers are those who not only sing the words but also convey the emotion behind them. Ask yourself: What do you want your audience to feel when you sing? Is your style more melancholy, empowering, or celebratory? Your vocal style will naturally develop around the emotions you wish to evoke through your voice.
One way to discover your emotional range is to sing songs that reflect a variety of feelings. Notice how your voice changes with different emotions. Pay attention to how you naturally adjust your vocal tone, pace, and dynamics depending on the song’s mood.
4. Work with Your Strengths
Every voice has its strengths, whether it’s a powerful belt, a smooth falsetto, or a unique vibrato. Focus on honing these strengths and incorporating them into your style. You might have an amazing high range that could be featured in a more airy, light style, or you might have a rich, deep voice that lends itself well to soulful, grounded singing.
Take note of what feels comfortable and easy to execute. When you embrace your natural abilities, your vocal style will come across as more authentic and effortless.
5. Study Influential Artists, but Don’t Copy
It’s normal to be inspired by artists you admire. Whether it’s Whitney Houston’s vocal acrobatics, Adele’s soulfulness, or Frank Sinatra’s smooth phrasing, studying other singers can help you learn how different styles are developed. However, the goal is not to mimic someone else, but to draw from their techniques and interpretations while infusing them with your own personality.
Try analyzing your favorite singers and identify what you love about their vocal delivery. Is it their breath control, the way they build tension, or the way they phrase lyrics? Then experiment with incorporating some of these techniques into your own singing. Over time, you’ll begin to shape a style that blends your influences with your own natural vocal characteristics.
6. Keep Evolving
Vocal style isn’t something that’s “set” once you discover it. Just like any form of artistry, it evolves over time. As you gain more experience and explore new musical avenues, your style will continue to develop. Be open to change and experimentation, and allow your voice to evolve as you grow as an artist.
Finding your vocal style is a journey of self-discovery.
Developing your vocal style is about embracing the unique qualities of your voice, exploring different genres and emotional expressions, and staying true to yourself while continuously growing as a performer. As you experiment, practice, and refine your technique, your vocal style will naturally emerge—one that’s uniquely yours.
You can practice developing your vocal style with us through private coaching and our performance course here at HVS Conservatory with our very supportive and highly experienced mentors. In addition, you can check out our schedule of masterclasses as well as our free community events, including acoustic sessions, seasonal open house events, and artist showcases.