Trying out different musical genres is more than just a fun challenge—it’s a fantastic way to broaden your skills and strengthen your technique in your preferred style. Let’s dive into five areas you can focus on to sing across genres like a pro.

1. Tone Quality

Each genre has its unique tone. Is it bright, dark, breathy, gritty, or clear? For example, if you’re a musical theater singer, you may need to adjust to a darker tone for jazz. Use syllables like "NA" for a bright tone or "BOU" for a darker one to practice hitting the right vibe.

2. Onset

Onset is how you begin a note, and there are four main types: balanced, breathy, glottal, and fry. For a balanced onset, try words like “YOU” or “WAY.” For breathy, linger on the “H” in “HOW.” Glottal onset, common in genres like gospel, comes from words like “APPLE.”

3. Vowel Shapes

Vowels can make or break your sound in a genre. Classical singing leans toward rounded vowels, while country flattens them. Pop often uses slightly rounded, darker vowels. Practice singing melodies on specific vowels to find the right sound for each style.

4. Vibrato

Vibrato use varies widely by genre. Classical singers use it liberally, while pop and jazz tend to keep it minimal. Practice controlling your vibrato—try sustaining notes with different vibrato styles, like adding it only at the end of a phrase.

5. Stylized Transitions

How singers move between notes can define a genre. Scoops, slides, riffs, and trills all play a role. Listen closely to how transitions are handled in your target genre, and mimic them to stay true to the style.

Experimenting with these elements will not only enhance your versatility but also make you a stronger and more expressive singer in your favorite genre. Happy singing!