Lovely karaoke song

[For Men] Songs to Get Better at Singing: Practice Tracks for Improving at Karaoke

Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
Under the theme of “vocal skills that stand up on the world stage,” I have experience teaching as an online vocal coach specializing in Western music, and I usually listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. In my teens, I questioned the idea that “foreign music equals English,” and started exploring songs from around the world. My commentary is characterized by a unique perspective shaped by listening to music of every genre, in every language, from every country. I mainly cover world music, so be sure to check it out!
Music producer, composer, vocal coach, keyboard playerKei Takahata
From around 1995 to 2000, I built experience with a major label as a composer and producer. I then moved to the United States and studied voice and singing under Elizabeth Sabine, one of Los Angeles’s top vocal coaches, mastering the so-called Hollywood vocal technique advocated by Sabine. After returning to Japan, I have been involved in training and producing a variety of singers. My direction, which brings out the full appeal of both the music and the vocalist, is highly regarded. In the collaboration video with Vo. ryuichi of the band Guild below, I handled keyboards, vocal direction, and sound production. For inquiries and requests regarding voice training and music production, please contact me via the website below. SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-402518821

What are the conditions for becoming a better singer?

Of course, taking proper vocal training lessons to learn correct vocal production and turning your body into a “well-resonating instrument” is both fundamental and the most important point.

But after acquiring those “foundational singing techniques,” it’s also crucial to choose songs that match your level and goals, actually sing them, and build your expressive abilities through real-world practice.

In this feature, we’ve selected recommended practice songs for men who want to improve their singing.

For each song, we explain key points to watch out for when singing it and why we chose it.

Please use this article to suit your own aims.

[For Men] Songs That Help You Sing Better: Practice Tracks for Improving at Karaoke (121–130)

playing humanRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Playing Human [Audio]

Pretending to Be Human RADWIMPS

This is RADWIMPS’ 10th single overall, released digitally in July 2022.

As for karaoke practice points for this song, first and foremost you’ll want to really master the murmuring, whisper-like singing that’s used frequently throughout.

Just because you sing with a low volume and gently doesn’t mean you should mumble in a tiny voice—if you do, nothing will come across to the listener.

This is a basic principle of the “Hollywood-style vocal technique” that I usually recommend in my lessons: even in the gentle parts, tighten your abdominal muscles around your navel and sing with the image of supporting your upper body from there.

If you do that, you’ll be able to sing with a tone that never loses its core, no matter the volume or expression!

Raise the rankinglower

Size of the kaijuback number

back number – The Size of the Monster

Kaiju size back number

This is back number’s seventh overall digital-only single, released in August 2023.

Its lightly bouncing, up-tempo beat makes for a refreshing and pleasant track.

It’s also an ideal practice song for learning to smoothly switch between chest voice and falsetto within a performance, serving as a great example of how to differentiate vocal expression between the two.

In addition, it should be especially useful—particularly for many Japanese singers who find it challenging—as a practice piece to get accustomed to a bouncy beat.

Raise the rankinglower

yellowback number

back number – Yellow

Yellow (back number)

This is back number’s 21st single, released on September 29, 2021.

It was chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s original romance reality show “Don’t Be Fooled by the Wolf (Niji to Ōkami wa Damasa Renai).” The vocal melody features significant jumps in pitch, so to sing it well at karaoke, it’s important to first trace the melody accurately and memorize it.

As mentioned, because the song has a very wide melodic range, being able to switch smoothly between your natural voice and falsetto—just like the original singer—is essential.

In that sense, it’s an ideal song for practicing smooth transitions in vocal production.

Raise the rankinglower

cherry blossomKobukuro

Kobukuro “Sakura”

Sakura Kobukuro

This is Kobukuro’s 12th single, released in November 2005.

After its release, it was chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Ns’ Aoi” (aired from January to March 2006) and went on to become a long-running hit through the spring of 2007.

Its gently flowing melody makes it a very pleasant, classic piece to listen to.

The vocal line doesn’t have extreme pitch changes, and the rhythm is very simple, so I think it’s also an ideal practice song for those whose vocal production is not yet stable.

Throughout the entire song, try practicing by singing each word of the lyrics clearly and carefully, so that your voice doesn’t become rough.

Raise the rankinglower

[For Men] Songs That Make You a Better Singer: Practice Tracks for Improving at Karaoke (131–140)

My Dear EllieSouthern All Stars

Southern All Stars – Itoshi no Ellie [Live at Southern All Stars Kickoff Live 2018 “A Slightly Naughty La-La Old Man”, 2018]

My Beloved Ellie - Southern All Stars

Southern All Stars released this as their third single in March 1979.

It’s astonishing that it’s been re-released on CD many times and has remained a long-selling hit for over 40 years! That said, since it was released in the ’70s, the melody and song structure follow the classic lineage of Showa-era kayōkyoku and the contemporary “new music,” making it very easy to sing as a karaoke number.

However, Kuwata’s vocals are extremely distinctive and unique, so it’s important to be careful not to slip into an imitation.

With Kuwata’s voice, even slightly strained high notes can sound appealing, but that charm comes from his own vocal qualities.

When you sing it at karaoke, try to avoid making it sound like an impression and sing it in your own way.

Raise the rankinglower

I should be able to fly (in the sky).Spitz

Spitz / I Should Be Able to Fly in the Sky

Spitz - Soramo Toberu Hazu (I Should Be Able to Fly in the Sky)

It’s the eighth single by Spitz, released in April 1994.

The original is arranged for a band, but at amateur live shows it’s often performed as a solo guitar-and-vocal piece, and even now, nearly 20 years after its release, it remains a popular song.

Both the melody and chord progression are simple, making it easy for anyone to sing and ideal as a song for practice.

That simplicity is likely one reason it has stayed popular for so long.

Since it has a gentle tone, try to sing it with a soft voice.

Raise the rankinglower

Easy★RiderTamio Okuda

Tamio Okuda “Easy★Rider” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Easy★Rider Tamio Okuda

Otomo Tamio’s sixth single, released on June 21, 1996.

It’s a mid-tempo rock song with a relaxed, roomy groove, but actually expressing that kind of expansive feel through singing is surprisingly difficult when you try it.

I think this track is an ideal piece of material for developing a rock-style sense of rhythm and groove.

If your vocal phrasing leans ahead of the backing track, it can ruin the song, so practice until you can faithfully reproduce this big, laid-back groove!

Raise the rankinglower