One vocal technique is “shakuri” (a scooping approach into a note).
It can even add bonus points in karaoke, and it really boosts expressiveness—definitely something you’ll want to master.
Still, when it comes time to try it, many people don’t know how to do it.
This is just my opinion, but when I think of singers who use a lot of shakuri, I strongly associate it with “anisong singers” and “singers with high voices.” So this time, along with staple tracks, I included plenty of songs by anisong artists! By the way, number one is a singer I thought used an incredible amount of shakuri after watching YouTube karaoke videos! Use the videos and audio as references and give it a try in your practice!
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Great for boosting your karaoke score too! Let’s master “shakuri” (scoop) (1–10)
BetelgeuseNEW!Yuuri
Yuri, whose emotive vocals powerfully convey romantic feelings and poignant longing, has garnered wide popularity.
Among his songs, this track stands out in particular for its frequent use of scoops.
Natural scoops appear throughout the chorus and in moments of heightened emotion, characterized by a gentle lift into pitch without strain, with an approach that softly raises the note from below felt across the entire song.
More than a mere technique, it serves as an extension of emotional expression, and the very naturalness of his scoops is arguably the greatest weapon for capturing listeners’ hearts.
By looking at the lyrics and singing it at karaoke with emotion, you’ll naturally pick up the scoops as well.
ZERONEW!B’z
Among B’z’s catalog as one of Japan’s premier rock units, this track stands out for its exhilarating drive and sheer power.
Within Koshi Inaba’s vocals—showcasing his overwhelming projection—there are assertive scoops woven throughout, lifting notes energetically from below in a way that creates a distinctly rock-style rush.
As the song heads into the chorus, those scoops gain even more momentum, playing a key role in boosting the overall intensity of the piece.
The force of that scooping really lets you feel the heat of the B’z sound.
It’s a track I highly recommend for anyone wanting to master rock-style scoops.
Listen closely and try to imitate it while singing your heart out.
HOWEVERNEW!GLAY
A signature ballad by GLAY, this masterpiece showcases TERU’s expansive, soaring vocals.
The scoops leading into the high notes of the chorus are especially beautiful; rather than striking the notes head-on, he slides into them smoothly, shaping the song’s overall impression.
The scoops at the emotional peak are a crucial element that heightens the drama of the piece, creating a captivating pleasure that draws you in with every listen.
The scoops are unforced and natural, which paradoxically makes them pierce the heart.
The combination of long tones and scoops is particularly compelling, making this a song you’ll want to tackle if you aim for high karaoke scores while also honing your expressive skills.
crossing fieldNEW!LiSA
One of LiSA’s signature songs, widely known as the opening theme for the anime Sword Art Online.
Within her passionate, emotion-charged vocal style, subtle scoops are naturally woven in, and this trait is especially evident in how she leads into the high notes of the chorus.
The scoops, which lift the pitch from below, appear and further amplify the song’s inherent energy.
Her use of scoops feels like a perfect coexistence of explosive emotion and delicate nuance.
It’s a track I highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn the dynamic scoops characteristic of anime songs by listening closely.
Resident of the EyeNEW!L’Arc〜en〜Ciel
This is a classic L’Arc~en~Ciel ballad that showcases hyde’s lustrous vocals.
Within his singing style—rising swiftly from a whispery low register—subtle scoops blend in naturally.
The way he enters the chorus features a slight scoop that seems to approach the pitch from below, evoking both poignancy and drama.
The lift into the pre-chorus is especially superb, and his expressive power vividly conveys surging waves of emotion.
Because hyde’s scoops have a distinctive, tenacious quality, mastering them makes for great impersonations too.
By listening closely to the recording and focusing on the nuances, this is a song that can markedly elevate your expressive singing.
Tomorrow never knowsNEW!Mr.Children
This is a classic by Mr.Children, a band that has long led the Japanese music scene.
Vocalist Kazutoshi Sakurai’s distinctive voice features natural yet effective scoops, with a gentle approach that subtly lifts the pitch from below, adding warmth to the overall sound.
In particular, the way the notes enter from the first verse into the chorus is meticulous, and the scoops align beautifully with the song’s emotional flow.
His scoops are free of strain, which is precisely why they glide straight into the listener’s heart.
It’s a perfect track for learning how to use scoops naturally in pop music.
Love is…NEW!Kawamura Ryuuichi
A signature work by Ryuichi Kawamura, also known as the vocalist of LUNA SEA.
His sweet, soaring high notes and the shakuri techniques showcased throughout the song give it a glossy sensuality.
He often uses shakuri that lifts the pitch up from the low notes, which serves as a quintessentially masculine, sexy expression and can be a great reference for karaoke.
The way shakuri is used in this track is so meticulous it could be called a textbook for J-pop ballads—its completeness never gets old no matter how many times you listen, and it makes you appreciate anew the beauty of the technique.
It’s a song that will add depth to your own singing voice, so try practicing carefully, picking up each note with precision.