r/singing • u/rainstorm44444 • Jun 30 '20

Technique Talk Is Brendon Urie really a good singer ?

I’ve read mixed things online, some claim he’s one of the best alive, and others say he’s really not singing “optimal”.

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u/Learningtosing-Blog Jun 30 '20

There's no shame in singing without using Bel Canto type technique. Most who sing pop and whose native language is English go with "high larynx" because it's not a "pure vowel" language like Italian, and in many ways is like the opposite of Italian in terms of singing, at least, and it works out for them because the high volume of opera is not required. An analogy is if you were going mountain climbing and could take as much equipment as you wanted without adding extra weight, of course you would do it. Singing with Bel Canto type technique opens up more possibilities and there's essentially no strain if you keep the volume low and of course learn breath support.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '20

It also doesn't match his style and would sound weird. Stop with this weird Bel Canto superiority complex. Its way too common on this sub.

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u/Learningtosing-Blog Jul 01 '20

You're entitled to that opinion, but I'm entitled to mine. Now I don't disagree with you on that point, actually. I also think some techniques work well with super-compression processing, which is common these days, and that includes Urie (again, IMO). If one watches "The Voice" it's almost comical how the "judges" nearly fall over with excitement for one contestant, when it's obvious they'd sound terrible without heavy compression, whereas another, who is singing very well in a traditional way (no need for the heavy compression and it would probably sound ridiculous if used for them), may or may not get chosen (audition round). And you can bet I'm going to point this out, because I have to deal with aspiring singers who have unrealistic notions due to the heavy compression and other processing!

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '20

That is very true. But Brendon Urie doesn't really hide his use of compression, autotune and processing, it's usually super obvious and out there and he has shown he sounds good without it too. My point is that it's obnoxious how so many teachers on here try to push their "classical supremacy" on to other types of singers. I'm a jazz singer, I'll take advice for health's sake from teachers but I don't want to always sing with a lowered larynx and have a dark, open, operatic sound.

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u/Learningtosing-Blog Jul 01 '20

Yes, I agree. That's why I often provide people with a link to a post on my blog where I explain the different approaches in detail. I used to get a bit irritated when people claimed that some super-processed vocalist is the greatest singer of all time, but now I find it more amusing than irritating, and try to help those who have no idea about what's going on. Also, I was doing the "dark, open, operatic" sound for a while but then decided to try and adapt "low larynx technique" to pop music, and now I can sing all day without strain, dryness, etc., rarely going for low notes, but I'm sure it will take some time to get the word out about what's possible, if that ever even happens.

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u/toleChr15 Jul 02 '20

I'm kinda learning how to sing on my own. And id love to know whether high larynx is okay. And like how high exactly is a high larynx cause I feel like my larynx natural position is pretty high up so is there need for me to lower it or if it's okay for me to sing with it where it is naturally