If you want to learn to sing, find out your vocal range, or just hit those high notes, singing lessons are a great way to go. But, in place of taking professional voice lessons, you can opt to practise singing on your own with your favourite songs!
Since pop songs come in all varieties of sounds and vocals, you can emulate a singer you admire and want to sound more like, thereby training your voice as best you can on your own.
The added bonus of using pop songs to practise singing is that you gain the ability to spontaneously wow your friends and even strangers with one of their all-time favourites wherever, whenever!
New Zealand has a lively music scene and New Zealander musicians have created a great wealth of Kiwi songs for you to practise with. Find out the best songs for beginners to learn with and singers of all levels to practise!
Best Songs for Higher Voices to Practice
It doesn't matter whether you're a soprano, mezzo-soprano, or contralto, there are plenty of great songs for every vocal type and range. The pop songs we've included in this article are meant to be fun and easy.
While women are typically in this higher vocal range, many men can also hit these high notes (think about Prince!). So, don’t limit yourself to singing only songs by men if you’re a man; plenty of musicians sing songs by other genders all the time!
Unconditional – Sammy Johnson x Aaradhna
This new hit song offers a diverse vocal range and intricate harmonies, making it an excellent song for honing singing skills. Its soulful melody, passionate lyrics, and varying tempos provide opportunities to work on control, expression, and vocal agility, so you can increase or decrease the difficulty to suit your preferred vocal styles and abilities.
Somehow, this song blends ethereal sounds with a funky reggae beat for a dramatic and romantic aesthetic.
Casanova – L.A.B.
A vibrant blend of reggae and funk, this song is ideal for practising singing due to its catchy hooks, rhythmic beats, and smooth vocal delivery. Its dynamic range allows for experimentation with tone, rhythm, and vocal dynamics, enhancing vocal control and performance versatility.
It’s a fun and exciting musical experience that gives you endless opportunities to improvise!
Carousel – Paige
This pop-emo track is a great choice for singing practice thanks to its emotive lyrics, gentle melody, and gradual build-up. It offers opportunities to work on breath control, emotional delivery, and subtle vocal nuances. The song's atmospheric quality allows singers to explore their vocal range and expression.
Bumblebee – Dora Jar
This whimsical fantasy is an exciting choice for vocal practice due to its fanciful melody, playful rhythm, and unique vocal inflexions. Its upbeat tempo challenges singers with rhythmic accuracy and high vocal range. With this song, you can easily practise your vocal agility and dynamics.
If you wanted a song to express the problems you can experience in love, this is a great choice – plus you can practice hitting high notes as well as pretty low ones, which is tricky when you have a naturally higher vocal range.
Roam – Theia
This pop song offers a powerful vocal range, making it a compelling choice for singing practice. Its dynamic shifts and electronic-pop sound enable singers to experiment with vocal control, projection, and emotional depth. The song's energetic beats encourage exploration of diverse vocal styles and techniques.
Light and airy, this track’s built-in accompaniment means you can choose which octave you want to sing in at any given moment throughout.
Best Songs for Lower Voices to Practise
Generally, male singers will benefit from singing songs sung by men. After all, male singers are more likely to be within the lower vocal range or fit lower vocal types, like countertenor, tenor, baritone, and bass. However, just like higher-pitched men, there are also lower-pitched women.
And once again I’ll assert: don’t be afraid to sing songs even if they are sung by someone who isn’t the same gender as you! You can feel free to tweak any song to suit your particular voice and tastes; that’s how other musical artists cover existing songs, after all.
Paradise – COTERIE
Bouncy, funky, and fun, this song is great for practising vocal stylings and infusing your notes with emotion. Its gentle rhythm allows for vocal finesse, enabling singers to focus on phrasing, expression, and harmonization. The song's serene atmosphere invites exploration of vocal control and emotive delivery.
Not to mention that it immediately takes anyone who hears it straight to the beach!
Good Things – Kaylee Bell
With its catchy country-pop vibe and uplifting lyrics, this song serves as a fantastic singing practice piece. Its upbeat tempo challenges vocal agility while offering opportunities for emotive storytelling. Singers can refine their control, vocal power, and expression, embracing the song's infectious positivity and spirited melody.
It’s also an incredibly positive song that will immediately brighten your mood!
Lady Divine – Corrella
Look no further for a superb choice for vocal practice. This song blends indie-pop with catchy hooks and a captivating rhythm. Its soulful verses and energetic chorus allow singers to explore vocal versatility, dynamics, and emotive delivery. The song's eclectic sound encourages creative vocal interpretations and control.
You can even try your hand at ultra-low and high-pitched singing all within this one song!
Me & You – Lepani
Consisting primarily of an electric, lively, rhythmic R&B groove, this song is an excellent choice for singing practice. Its smooth melody and heartfelt lyrics provide ample opportunities to refine vocal control, harmonization, and emotional depth. Singers can explore nuances, phrasing, and vocal dynamics within its soulful ambience.
Not to mention it would make a great serenade song for someone special!
Before You Leave – Six60
Blending soulful melodies with a heartfelt narrative, you can feel the soul in this song. Its gradual build-up and emotional intensity enable vocal exploration, emphasizing control, range, and emotive delivery. Singers can refine dynamics, and harmonization, and convey deep emotions within its powerful, anthemic structure.
It’s short and simple and a great exercise in conveying more with less.
Best Māori Songs for Singing Practise
You don’t have to limit yourself to singing in English when learning how to sing!
There is a wealth of amazing te reo songs for any aspiring singer to learn and perfect, which has the dual purpose of challenging your pronunciation while singing. Here are some good songs to sing when you want to practise your vocal techniques.
Toitū Te Tiriti – Kurawai, Ria Hall, Te Kuru Dewes, Troy Kingi
An exceptional song for vocal practice, this song is a great way of embracing Māori language and culture. Its powerful lyrics and cultural significance provide a unique opportunity for singers to explore Māori vocal styles, pronunciation, and emotional expression. The song's rhythmic cadence and emotive depth foster vocal versatility and connection to heritage.
Combining jazzy, bluesy sound with reggae rhythms all together into a delicious feast for the ears, you can pick and choose which parts of this multi-singer track you like to emulate.
Tangaroa Whakamautai – Maisey Rika
A beautiful, powerful Māori melody perfect for vocal practice, this song’s emotive lyrics and traditional elements allow singers to explore Māori vocal styles, pronunciation, and storytelling. The song's gentle yet profound rhythm encourages vocal control, emotional depth, and connection to Maori culture through singing.
You can feel the emotion and passion in each line, so challenge yourself to convey that same intensity while you sing it yourself.
He Aho – TAWAZ ft Sarah Hanita-Paki, Rani, Hops, Nepia, Hone, Rems, Meto-tagivale
This track presents a captivating fusion of Māori language and contemporary beats, making it an excellent choice for vocal practice. Its rhythmic complexity challenges singers, fostering vocal agility, pronunciation, and emotional expression. It features sections that are similar to rap and others that are more melodic. The song's cultural resonance allows exploration of Māori vocal styles and storytelling nuances.
This upbeat and relaxed waiata is enjoyable for singers and listeners.
Singing pop songs is a fun way to practise contemporary vocal techniques and while you may find some of the sections challenging, it just means that you have something to work towards!
Perfect these songs and more with a professional singing and/or voice coach here on Superprof! With in-person classes available near you or online sessions available anywhere in the world, you can find your perfect singing tutor easily.
No matter how you learn and improve your singing, have fun and enjoy the process!
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