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Created by WONA 2025
Lesson Imitations
Why Do Imitations?
Imitation isn’t about becoming another singer — it’s about discovering new sides of your own voice.
If you only copy one artist, you’ll end up stuck in their shadow (and honestly, no one can out-Beyoncé Beyoncé). But when you play with lots of different voices, it’s like trying on outfits: some don’t fit, some surprise you, and some feel so good so you may want take something from it
That’s how you find your own style — by exploring, experimenting, and mixing all the colors until your voice feels unique, fresh, and instantly “you.”
Beyoncé
Vocal Characteristics
precise, ringy pop-soul
Tone color
-
Chest / lower notes → darker, textured, warm (but not muffled — she keeps resonance forward so it doesn’t get swallowed).
-
Mix / high notes → bright, powerful, with a clear “ping” from twang.
Overall: she has a balanced tone — dark core + bright edge. That’s why she can sound soulful in low lines and then laser-sharp on riffs.
Mouth shape
Jaw drops big and vertical. Lips neutral (not smiling wide).
She over-articulates, consonants T/K/P/D are extra crisp, which makes every word punch through clearly.
Register use
Chest voice is dark but forward, with a lifted soft palate giving it fullness and texture.
High notes go into a powerful chest-mix (again with the soft palate lifted).
She uses true head voice less often — more likely she’ll push into mix or twang for brightness and power instead.
How notes start
Usually clean and quick. Sometimes a tiny growl at the start for emphasis.
Runs / slides
Fast, tidy runs in time. Little sliding; each note is clear.
Vibrato
Usually straight at first, then a delayed vibrato kicks in. Often tight and nasal, especially at the end of phrases. Can widen on big ballads but stays controlled
Start with a growly attack, then sing a strong note and let the vibrato arrive late in the nose.
Over-articulate the words (sharp consonants), throw in a cry flip (sudden chest→head switch), and end with a clean pentatonic run down.
Quick Impression Hack
Verse 1
If I were a boy
Even just for a day
I'd roll out of bed in the mornin'
And throw on what I wanted, then go
Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I'd kick it with who I wanted
And I'd never get confronted for it
'Cause they'd stick up for me
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed
Chorus 1
Britney Spears
Vocal Characteristics
nasal pop + breathy “baby voice”
Tone color
Thin, bright, slightly whiny. Lots of air/breath in the sound.
Mouth shape
Small jaw drop, lips slightly forward (like saying “oo”). Don’t spread into a smile, keep it narrow.
Register use
Upper notes stay heady and nasal. Lower notes warmer, but still thin.
How notes start
Often with a tiny creak or fry (“uhh”) before the word.
Runs / slides
She often bends notes instead of hitting them straight — think of sliding in quickly or letting the pitch wobble a little rather than staying locked.
Vibrato
Minimal. Often straight tone, or a bit at the end
Quick Impression Hack
-
Pinch your nose a little and let sound buzz forward. Add breathiness (like sighing), start each phrase with a tiny vocal fry “uhh”, then slide into “oh bay-bay, bay-bay.”
Verse 1
Oh, baby, baby
How was I supposed to know
That somethin' wasn't right here?
Oh, baby, baby
I shouldn't have let you go
And now you're out of sight, yeah
Pre Chorus
Show me how you want it to be
Tell me, baby, 'cause I need to know now
Oh, because
Chorus
My loneliness is killin' me (And I)
I must confess, I still believe (Still believe)
When I'm not with you, I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me, baby, one more time
Lady Gaga
Vocal Characteristics
theatrical pop + big-ballad power
Tone color
Full and rich down low (strong chest). On big notes she adds a small bright “ping” (twang) so the sound cuts, but never nasal. She can also darken the color on purpose by rounding the vowel a little (“ah” toward “aw”).
Mouth shape
Power notes = jaw down, vertical, lips neutral. For a darker/“opera” color she rounds the mouth and lets the larynx sit a touch lower.
Register use
Lows/mids feel chesty and speechy. Choruses use a firm chest-anchored mix (power without shouting). The very top can lighten to head or a brief falsetto for a clean, airy effect.
She also switches the “thickness” of the cords: thicker for belt power, thinner for softer, lighter lines.
How notes start
Mostly clean and centered. For emotion she may add a tiny cry or a quick grit at the front, then back to clean.
Runs / slides
Not riff-heavy. Clear scoops from just under into big notes; sometimes a grace note from above. Loves straight, held tones for drama.
Vibrato
Straight first, then a steady, medium vibrato blooms on long notes. Can go wider on big ballads; minimal on dance-pop lines.
Speech habits
Crisp words (clear T/K/P/D). On peaks she favors AH / AY / EH; high EE often softens toward IH/EH. She can swap “character” (clean pop / vintage round / NYC-speechy) to fit the song.
Quick Impression Hack
-
Drop your jaw big and vertical to get that open, dramatic space.
Add nasal buzz + twang so the sound feels brassy and sits just behind your nose.
Sing like you’re on Broadway — over-pronounce every word and throw in a sudden cry flip up into head voice.
Verse 1
My mama told me when I was young
"We are all born superstars"
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir
"There's nothing wrong with loving who you are"
She said, "'Cause He made you perfect, babe"
So hold your head up, girl, and you'll go far
Listen to me when I say
I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way (Born this way)
Chorus 1
Olivia Rodrigo
Vocal Characteristics
Speechy cry-mix, pop-rock edge
Tone color
Light-bright with soft edges. Feel a tiny buzz behind the top teeth. Verses can have a hint of air; choruses are cleaner. Not nasal, not heavy.
Mouth shape
Verses: small/neutral (talk-like). Big words/chorus: open a bit—jaw relaxes and drops slightly; lips stay natural (don’t grin). She often sings close to the mic, which keeps it intimate.
Register use
Verses sit in chest voice and feel talk-like.
Choruses move to a light mix (a blend of chest + head) so it stays clear but not heavy.
The highest moments flip to head voice; sometimes there’s a tiny bit of air for that fragile color.
How notes start
Often a tiny cry, sigh, or brief fry before the pitch; sometimes clean for emphasis. Quick micro-scoop from just under the note into important words.
Runs / slides
No fancy riffs. Short scoops into notes; some phrase endings fall off instead of holding straight.
Vibrato
Mostly straight tone. If it appears, it’s small and late at the very end of a longer note.
Speech habits (words & vowels)
Clear American. Trims endings (“mornin’”). On higher words, “ee” softens to “ih/eh” so the top stays easy.
Quick Impression Hack
Verses → half-speak, half-sing with a tiny mouth, no vibrato, and lots of breathy consonants (kh, bh, gh). Keep phrases short and simple.
Choruses → suddenly open into a smiley mouth, switch between airy head voice and crying mix voice, and let the voice crack or break for drama.
Verse 1
I hate to give the satisfaction askin' how you're doin' now
How's the castle built off people you pretend to care about?
Just what you wanted
Look at you, cool guy, you got it
I see the parties and the diamonds sometimes when I close my eyes
Six months of torture you sold as some forbidden paradise
I loved you truly
You gotta laugh at the stupidity
'Cause I've made some real big mistakes
But you make the worst one look fine
I should've known it was strange
You only come out at night
I used to think I was smart
But you made me look so naive
The way you sold me for parts
As you sunk your teeth into me, oh
Bloodsucker, fame-fucker
Bleedin' me dry like a goddamn vampire
Chorus 1
Lana Del Rey
Vocal Characteristics
dark, breathy, cinematic
Tone color
Warm and dark with soft, smoky edges. Aim the sound back and low (like a gentle yawn). A tiny bit of air around the tone; never sharp or bright.
Mouth shape
Relaxed lips with a slight round shape (oh/ah feel). Jaw opens just enough—no wide grin, no huge jaw drop.
Register use
Low lines in soft chest. Most of the song sits in a light head-mix. Highest notes go head voice, smooth and airy rather than belty.
How notes start
Often a breathy “h” or a small sigh into the note. Sometimes a quick, quiet fry at the start. Clean starts are rare—soft entries are the vibe.
Runs / slides
No fast riffs. Slow slides between notes (up and down), and falling endings that melt away.
Vibrato
Gentle and slow, or none at all. If it shows up, it arrives late at the end of a longer note.
Speech habits
Rounded ah/oh/uh vowels; words feel stretched and vintage. Consonants are soft so the line stays smooth.
Stage “Ticks”
Sings a little late on purpose (laid-back feel). Long fade-outs on phrase ends. Whispered or spoken words tucked into lines. Close-mic sound (intimate, breath close to the mic).
Verse 1
I've seen the world, done it all, had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant, and Bel Air now
Hot summer nights, mid-July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child
Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?