Useful techniques you need to know when you sing J-pop!
Hi, J-pop lovers! Welcome to Honey Music School. If you are interested in singing Japanese songs, this is the best place to join because we are going to sing “Ride on Time ”by Tatsuro Yamashita, which was released in 1980 in Japan and is still popular among many people.
It is Tatsuro Yamashita’s First Top 10 Hit Single, selling half a million copies.
Tatsuro created this song and recorded with fellow studio musicians who ended up becoming his life long recording and performance music partners.
Key Characteristics of the song!
Let’s look at some of the key characteristics of the song and the way he sings.
1.His sound is strong, rounded, balanced and open with Nasal Escape.
He’s got very strong, steady, and controlled diaphragmatic support. He obviously has a very wide range of voices.
2.Wide Range Voice -> highest note A4 using chest or strong mixed voice
The highest note which is sung in this song is A4. He uses either a chest or a very strong mixed voice.
3.Elastic entry and Abrupt Fall-off
He has an elastic style entry and he also uses some abrupt falloffs. He frequently uses slurs and slides well.
4.Strong and Straight Vowel Sounds -> Musical variations within a same vowel
He obviously has strong and straight vowels and this goes hand in hand with the first point: the rounded balance in open voice because you need a strong and straight vowels in order to have that type of voice.
5.Less use of Vibrato -> Not characteristically, Used lightly in lingering notes
You need to use less vibrato when singing this song, instead, use other expression tools such as slurs and slides.
6.Strong Projection -> of Voice to match Lyrics Feel/ Drive of Time and Escape
He has a very strong projection based on point no.1, 2, and 4. His strong projection matches the lyrics and feel or the drive of time and space which is part of the theme of this song.
Things to keep in mind
When you actually sing this song, you don’t need to copy what he’s doing but there are several things that I’d like you to keep in mind.
1.Diaphragm Support
Make sure you have enough Diaphragmatic support. Let the notes “Ride on” your ai stream. It creates that strong steady airflow.
2.Wide Range Voice
This song has a wide range of voice so make sure you acknowledge where your breaks are so that you can work around that.
3.Frequent use of slurs and slides and letting go at the ends
We can practice these techniques later again.
4.Strong and Straight Vowel Sounds
These are created based on the mouth shapes. Let’s be cognizant of the vowel sounds and how they change depending on the shape of your mouth or inside your mouth.
5.Singing without Vibrato
Let’s utilize other expression tools mentioned above.
6.Projections
Image singing to an audience 50 feet (16 meters) away.
Lyrics
You need to understand the lyrics and the content of the song before you can express the song. On the left hand side you have the Japanese and on the right hand side, there is a translation word by word or phrase by phrase or section by section.
Japanese pronunciation basics
Let’s just go through the Japanese pronunciation basics again.
- Each syllable must end with a vowel.
- Each vowel has only one pronunciation.
- Each syllable consists of either “One vowel” or “Consonant + Vowel”.
- Pronounce the Consonant and Add the Sound of the Vowel.
Learn More About How to Sing Japanese Songs at Honey Music School!
We offer online lessons at Honey Music School by native Japanese vocal teacher who can teach you many useful techniques and tips to sing your favorite Japanese songs.
If you feel like singing more of the rest of “Ride on Time” by Tatsuro Yamashita or if you have any other Japanese songs you want to sing, please join us at Haney Music School.
Until then, see you soon!
Others/source
Tatsuro Yamashita HP: https://www.tatsuro.co.jp/
I have been passionate about learning different languages and playing music since I was a kid. I engaged in childhood education, music education, and second language acquisition research while I was studying at Yokohama National University as a graduate student. After graduation, I worked at an international preschool in Tokyo. Currently, I’m working as a bilingual teacher at an online English school and writing some articles about research on bilingual education. I post the cover songs videos of my favorite artists and my piano performances on Instagram and Youtube, so I’ll appreciate that if you go and check my posts. Thank you.
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