Everyone’s guilty pleasure is singing, and it has been proven, time and again, that music is an excellent way to de-stress. Singing nowadays is easier ever since karaoke machines came into existence. With it, you don’t need to memorize the lyrics of the song as long as you know its melody. If you have to make an impromptu singing performance in front of a lot of people, you have to choose easy to sing songs to ensure an excellent presentation. Choose a song that you are familiar with, so you don’t get stuck with one that is impossible to sing.
Common Voice Types
The first step that you need to do is to know what type of singing voice you have, so it will be easier to choose songs that will show it off.
Here are the six common voice types and their meanings for you to determine to which kind do you belong.
Bass
This voice type is the lowest vocal range among all voice types and typically describes a classical male singing voice.
Baritone
A baritone voice ranges in between the bass and tenor male voices and is usually considered as the most common male singing voice.
Tenor
Voices of this type have the highest vocal range among male singers, which sometimes allows them to sing notes even higher than a female’s voice. This is especially true when tenors use their head voice.
Alto
Usually this describes the voice type with the lowest female vocal range. It typically possesses a fuller and more vibrant tone register than our next voice type, which is the mezzo-soprano.
Mezzo-Soprano
Mezzo-soprano, or simply called mezzo, is the vocal range between soprano and contralto but mostly sing the soprano part in a musical arrangement unless given its voice part.
Soprano
This type of voice has the highest vocal range that generally describes female singers who can sing more convincing notes effortlessly. Once you have determined your vocal range, it will be easier for you to choose the perfect song that will truly demonstrate the strength of your voice.
Song Types for Beginners
Every singer wants to sing songs that will showcase their voice range and prowess, hoping to make a good impression on their audience. If you are new in singing, it is best to look for songs with simple melodies before choosing songs that will help you hit high and low notes.
It is vital to find good songs that match your voice and make sure to practice it every chance you get until you master it.
Aside from choosing a good song, be aware of your vocal strengths to make sure that you can get the most out of your voice without straining your vocal cords. Practice easy and popular songs that will enhance your voice as these are the songs that have catchy melodies and lyrics that are easy to remember. Constant practicing is one sure way to enhance your vocal techniques, giving you a chance to move to the next level of singing.
Since we are talking about vocal techniques, different music genres will be compatible with your voice type, which is why you need to it consider, as well.
Music Genres
There’s a wide selection of different music styles and genres all over the world coming from varied cultures. Each music genre has its distinguishing feature unique to the culture where it came from, providing distinct challenges for singers.
Here are some of the most common music genres that we usually hear these days.
Pop
This genre is the fun and romantic type of music, which is usually mixed with rhythm and dance and has been dominating the music scene for more than 30 years now. If you wish to sing these type of songs, you should learn to regulate your vibrato. You should also try various vocal techniques, as well as different body movements so that you can dance to the music.
Rock and Roll
This music genre originally came from the blues. However, the addition of a danceable and more complex rhythm transformed it into a new music style.
Through the years, the music became rougher and high-strung. Along with the vocal techniques of rock singers, this became the genre’s defining style so as not to confuse it with the pop genre.
For those who want to try this genre, experimenting with various vocal styles and dynamics like growling, shouting, or whispering is necessary to distinguish it as rock and roll.
Classical and Opera
These are the types of music that are conceived as formal and confined to either aria, religious, or theatrical compositions. This music lacks the casualness that you will find from other genres and may also include dancing and acting during the performance. If you are into this type of music, you need to have a good voice coach who will teach you the right techniques for classical singing.
Country
Country music is considered a mixture of different music styles. It evolved over the years from the mountain music of the Appalachian, the southern blues, or the country-western, and the honky-tonk. This type of music comes with the heartfelt storytelling ability of the singers as they share their true feelings with their audience through their songs.
Country singers are known for a distinct twang that naturally comes out every time they sing.
Blues and Jazz
The blues is a type of African-American music that began in Southern America. This explains why singers from this genre have a Southern accent. On the other hand, jazz music originated from the blues genre defined by improvisations, distinct performance techniques, and tone colors. Jazz singers usually experiment with various vocal calisthenics, such as scatting and pitch slides. On the other hand, blues singers express personal experience through the lyrics of the song.
Hip Hop
Hip-hop music started in the ‘70s with its heavy rhythm and rhyming lyrics, along with some beat-boxing and rapping at times. This music genre is influenced by various styles from funk, reggae, disco, gospel, blues, soul, or the old-school hip hop.
Hip-hop singers are versatile when it comes to performing. They can easily switch from singing to rapping, experimenting with various vocal sounds to create and establish their identity from other singers.
Adult Contemporary
This style is technically the same as pop but uses song lyrics that are more appropriate for the older or mature audience. Most singers from other music genres eventually transition to adult contemporary music. However, some consider this genre as boring, even if most of the songs under this genre are well-listened to.
There’s no need to put a lot of vocal effects when singing adult contemporary music as long as you sing it with pure emotions.
Folk
Folk music or traditional and rural music is the type that was handed down by families or small social gatherings and learned through listening. It is passed down from one generation to the other in an informal setting without the need to learn it inside a musical institution. In most cases, folk music is the music genre that is easily understood by many in the urban region because it depicts their way of life.
Reggae
This music genre originated from Jamaica and became popular during the late ‘60s. Do the Reggay was released in 1968 and was the first song to use the word, which led to the genre’s name and introduction to the global audience.
Easy to Sing Songs
Now that we have some basic ideas about the different types of voices and music genres, it’s time for us to check out some easy to sing songs and start practicing. If you are still unsure about your voice type and what music style is suitable for your voice, it’s best to experiment and try singing a variety of songs. Do this until you find the perfect one that will highlight your voice quality.
Check out the list of easy songs to sing below according to your gender to know which one perfectly suits your voice and personality.
Easy Songs for Men
1. (I Can’t Get) No Satisfaction by Rolling Stones
This blues-rock song was released in 1965 by the English rock band Rolling Stones. In 2004, it was recognized as the second placer from the list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
2. Love Yourself by Justin Bieber
Canadian singer Justin Bieber released this acoustic pop song in 2015. It was considered as the singer’s first number-one song in the adult contemporary music genre.
3. Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
The song from the British singer and songwriter Rick Astley was released in 1987. It became a number-one dance-pop hit worldwide.
4. I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys
The American boy band Backstreet Boys released this pop song in 1999. This pop song became their signature song as it continuously reached the number-one spot in over 25 countries with its catchy melody.
5. Ignition (Remix) by R. Kelly
American singer R. Kelly released this rhythm and blues or R&B song in 2002. The song stayed on the second spot for five successive weeks for Billboard Hot 100.
Easy Songs for Women
Below are some of the most popular and memorable songs for females that you can sing-along with.
1. Oops!… I Did It Again by Britney Spears
This dance-pop song from the American singer Britney Spears was released in 2000. It became number-one in 15 countries at most.
2. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
American singer Gloria Gaynor released this disco hit song in 1978. This disco song became a top-selling song and was also released in more than 20 different languages all over the world.
3. Someone Like You by Adele
The British singer Adele released this soul-pop song in 2011. Its lyrics talk about acceptance of a broken relationship. The song was very well-received by her audience. The result was that the song stayed on the top spot for five weeks in the UK music scene.
4. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
This country song was an original composition of the American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton, who also sang it when it was first released in 1973. Another American singer, Whitney Houston, recorded her version in 1992 for her movie.
5. Hero by Mariah Carey
American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey co-wrote this song. It was initially intended for another artist but revised the lyrics when she was convinced to record the soul song in 1993.
Easy Duet Songs
Singing is more enjoyable when shared, so we will list down some easy duet songs that you can sing with friends and family.
1. Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
This number-one R&B duet song performed by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder was released in 1982 and is about racial equality.
2. Cruisin’ by Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis
Smokey Robinson originally recorded this song in 1979. Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis made a cover of this adult contemporary song in 2000.
3. Beauty and the Beast by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson
This pop song was composed for Disney’s animated film with the same title in 1991. It was then recorded by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson for the film’s soundtrack in the same year.
4. Separate Lives by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
This adult contemporary soft rock song was recorded by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin in 1985 as part of the White Nights movie soundtrack.
5. Unforgettable by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
This adult contemporary song was originally sung by Nat King Cole and was released in 1951. The song was edited in 1991 to recreate it into a duet with his daughter Natalie Cole. This eventually led to multiple Grammy awards the following year. The original version became part of the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000.
Conclusion
The next time you plan on going out with friends or simply need to practice your singing techniques, you can try any of these songs we have listed down for you. It is best to sing popular and familiar songs, so you have an idea of its melody and how it was sung by the original singer. Doing this will make it easier for you to make subtle changes and create your version.
You may encounter some setbacks while practicing a song, and that is normal, even for professional singers.
Aside from finding the right songs to sing, you might want to learn other stuff, like breathing techniques and exercises, which are vital components in singing. Singorama is a great program for expert performers and budding singers alike. Whether you need help in overcoming anxiety while performing or learning advanced techniques, Singorama has got you covered.