I would describe Adele's voice as brassy. It's vociferous but at times harsh because it's not warm or smooth unless she sings darkly like in the verses of Million Years Ago. Her voice is also crackly like a camp fire, which lends itself to her storytelling ability. She has a natural ability to emote lyrics without it sounding forced. You connect to the music and her voice emotionally before considering the technical soundness of her instrument.
Brassy is a defining characteristic of a "pressed" phonation, or higher than balanced cord closure %. Antagonistically, it means the tension of the breath is not balanced with the tension in the muscles working to close or seal the cords during their vibration, leading to a pressed or brassy sound (not enough air escapes the cords). However, she also simultaneously seems to push the airstream; though the cords are closing in a pressed way, air is still leaking, as in not all air is turned to sound. It seems contradictory, but you can have an overly pressed phonation and still leak air due to lack of proper breath coordination. She's brassy and breathy, which is an unhealthy combination as it puts too much force on the larynx so the cords are tight but also not vibrating optimally which is hard on the cords. If she stopped leaking air, and counterbalanced the belting with stronger tension of the inhale/exhale, it would take excess pressure of the larynx, and allow the cords to seal up more healthily during vibration. She'd have the same sound but a more open, relaxed and powerful voice, slightly less brassy, and less breathy
Enriqué Carúso She was quite brassy before in her debut. Honestly when she got her first surgery to repair her vocal cords she doesn't do that so much anymore. She is a Mezzo, and now l near they very obviously in her later records. She sings more "straight" now, so we can hear lovely resonance and fullness to voice. A rich, warm timbre very typical of a Mezzo.
I agree...as well, she writes very catchy tunes that are very easy for the average person to sing in the car. I like her songs ok, and I LOVE hearing them interpreted by gifted vocalists .
Adeles voice is sultry and dark to me. I think she is great at telling a story. her voice is raw yet not exceptionally technical. she is very straightforward. She is a lighter alto she sticks to her comfort zone and she has said herself she doesnt take risk. what u see is what you get with adele. she has a thick robust sound.
I think your observation on singer Adele was pretty spot-on.. I do feel she was born with a natural gift. Do I feel that she has the best vocal techniques out of all the female singers over the last 20th century no.. What I will say about her and she knows how to write music to fit her voice perfectly and to find songs that fits her voice I think that's the key to being a good singer or a decent singer is finding the right song!
Dileesa I think you really hit the nail on the head about Adele. The limitations you see come down to where Adele is in her life. Adele wrote or co wrote a number of her songs and they are generally about love and mostly love gone wrong. What you are saying is for you at least they are repetitious in theme to listen to a whole album. They are not embracing fully enough the whole variety of life's possibilities. This is where an artist who expresses their own life is locked into where they are at in their own life. I think some artists would approach it with the idea of expressing everyone else's life so they could sing a lullaby for every child a church hymn for everyone who prays a sad song of sorrow and woe for when love goes wrong. in their own or someone else's life. It really comes down to how you view what an artist is and how much you can make it about all the different nuances and blessings that life has to offer for us all. Dileesa I enjoy your video analyses immensely. I get what you say about all these singers. I don't know how well I have expressed this but that is what I am trying to put into words in this comment to you.
Adele really achieved super stardom with her album "21", which explains why she kept the same formula of her "sad" or "heartbroken soul" type of sound in her new album "25". But, I suggest to anyone to go back and to listen to her debut album "19", which I have to say is still my favorite of the 3 because it has more upbeat/jazzy type of sound. It shows a different side of her that she has seemed to have left behind, and also showcases some of her jazz chops (she even does a little scatting in Hometown Glory). Definitely check out her live performances from her debut era, they are very good.
I tell people this ALL THE TIME!!! Adele’s first album is her best album. Hands down. Her voice, to me, seemed more versatile and in the pocket for Adele’s capabilities! I also think the 19 album showcases her songwriting at its best!🤷🏾♂️
I was thinking this when I heard Carlos Santana said that Adele is a singer singer as opposed to Beyonce. I'm pretty sure Beyonce is the better vocalist/singer by any standard., so I feel like Adele truly is overrated. Her fans just really love her tone and they confuse it with vocal ability.
I think it depends on what someone looks for in a singer. For me, I look for an authentic singer. Someone who can make you feel what they are singing about. It doesn't necessarily matter if they write their music, but I wanna feel like you did. Classic example of this is Whitney Houston. With Beyonce, even though her technique and skill set is amazing, I feel like her whole package is a gimmick. When she sings soulfully, it seems like she's acting...it doesn't feel real to me. Yes she can do so much with her voice, but I am not typically moved by her interpretation of a song. Adele is like a Gladys Knight or a Judy Garland. They sing with a simple technique but their delivery is IMPECCABLE. Their interpretation of songs trumps someone IMO with an agile voice or technique.
I'll be bold enough to say if Beyonce was just a vocalist she wouldn't be as popular as she is today. Not to discredit her talent but I don't think her voice alone would make her iconic like she is.
The thing is Adele doesn't try to be the loudest, hit high (unnecessary notes). She doesn't seem to care. She goes out, has fun with it. She's definitely u like any other singer out there. She's doesn't try to copy anyone and that's why I'm a fan.
It’s because she sings very straight forward and you just can feel the emotions. It gives you some type of feeling.. which we want that from singers. But yeah, it’s not the best technique sadly.
I would love to hear your vocal analysis of Aretha Franklin. I know she's not one of your favorites, but it would be informative to hear why you don't think she's the greatest singer.
People that like rangy singers, always say Adele is overrated. She is famous because of her tone, color, and Emotion of her style of singing. It's a big, velvety voice.
SHe's got a thick and velvety tone. Kind of like Patsy Cline , Karen Carpenter or Etta James. Her tone is stellar and colorful which is why she gets attention. She doesn't use as much range, but she has amazing tone.
I hate getting into Beyonces discussions but on the Beyoncé x Adele thing going on in the comment section, I feel like Adele is one of those people, in the tradition of Etta or Anita Baker who has a purpose for singing other than just being entertaining, whereas Beyoncé just kinda "focused" on building an instrument that serves for commercial purposes, if that makes sense. IDK how to explain it but when Adele sings I almost feel like she doesn't exist beyond that song whereas Beyoncé uses the song to come through. So, I do get what Santana meant. She (Adele) might be overrated as far as being a technician goes, but her instrument serves her purpose as an artist. You can kinda tell what Adele is like from her singing and for what she sings, but you can't tell who Beyoncé is by listening to her, like, yeah cool stuff, do I hear Timbaland on there? Wow, who's this new guy? What else did he do? That is my take on why Adele won AOTY. I won't say it's soul, I'll just say it's not shallow.
I don't agree with the Anita and Etta comparisons, as storytellers and musicians they're on a whole different level than Adele, when Etta sings you can feel the rage and the sadness of which story she's telling, with anita you'll fell sutriness and how much she wants her lover, all along with great technique. Adele has a distintive tone that shines in mellow and depressive songs, but she doesn't use her phrasing or musicianship to make you believe her story, On the other side beyonce may not be as believable as Etta or Anitta, although she has moments like "sandcastles" or "resentment", but she shows amazing musicianship, amazing technique, great supported range and versatility, she's just overlooked as a singer because she's also a great entertainer and is trendy, if she was a less atractive singer who just stands behind a mic, people would be objective and recognise her as a great vocalist that she is.
I find the overtone content in her voice to be extremely rich which is part of that timbre - intoxicating is right - there are all these hidden facets and endless vocal colours that she can produce, that people with a more evenly produced sound often can't access or have ironed away. For me range of vocal colour is the rarest faculty to maintain in a highly trained voice.
When I hear Adele I can hear she has a somewhat bright or piercing quality throughout get low to middle range that is also present in her belts. At the same time she has weight and a sobbing quality or texture in the same range that draws you in a emotes the message behind her songs.
Adele reminds me of many altos I've met in my life. Loud voices so they get a lot of credit from people that don't know how to sing, but really a one trick pony. I'd take a rich coloratura or lyric soprano voice over an alto like Adele any day. Also she overly rounds her vowels so they sound even darker and louder, not a whole lot of technique or versatility, and the songs she writes have very predictable melodies. At least she's not as conceited as the altos I know lol.
Oh my god, You are on fire. If its not too much to ask, would you know why Ariana Grande's recent lives are consistently duller than her previous ones? She sounds like she's having a harder time reaching her money notes than before.
Her voice has grown so much ttone and maturity in the past two years ! Also anytime Ariana grande preforms her technique is actually very professional and in tune. She can pin point alternate melodies to cope well in live circumstances!! Ariana grande doesn't need a Grammy to prove anything! Neither does Adele , when are they going to Colab with Beyoncé Lmfao. Dileesa hunter I'd love to hear your vocal analysis for Ariana grande!!!! Patiently waiting . . .
I do love Adeles tone. That's probably the only thing keeping me drawn into her music. And the word Steely to describe her voice is pretty head on I think. As for her head voice I think it has been utilized more than it used to. 'Hello' took me by surprise at the end because of decent it sounded.
"Above average vocalist" - definitely! Her intonation isn't very good live. Great analysis as always! It's probably her tone (along with the emotiveness in her voice) that instantly captures people and somehow gives them the impression that she is an "excellent" vocalist.
Hi Dileesa... You are really making my day-week-month with these lightning fast videos😂.. But would you mind doing one on Jessica Reedy?.. Her voice is so mesmerizing.. & alot of it's characteristics stand out to me, such as her agility & lower register.
Adele is a beautiful person, and has a very warm heart. She truly isn't interested in being a famous singer that can sing notes like Celine or Whitney. That's why she is loved so much, she's an awesome friend, and you feel like you know her. Her singing is beautiful yes, but it's her personality that people love the most. She's a beau person.
"She truly isn't interested in being a famous singer that can sing notes like Celine or Whitney. " Well, firstly, she can't. But anyway, as much as I love her, I'm not sure any of this is what makes her a good person. Yes, she's unpretentious, but you'd hope that singers care enough about the *health* of their voices to learn what they need to learn.
I'd love for you to do a vocal analysis for Björk :) Her vocals in live performances really show what she's capable of. Also, occasionally (especially in the 90s) she would use this whistle register that sounds cutting and bizarre. A performance of "It's Oh So Quiet" in 1996 shows her clarity with a whistle tone. She has even used her whistle register up to E8 (at the end of a liver performance of "Gotham Lullaby" in 1999). Lastly, I recommend checking out "Big Time Sensuality" live Vessel 1994 to hear her most common style of singing.
fun fact she's actually a natural contralto early in her career but after her third album 25 she got to do mezzo soprano notes while still do contralto due to vocal surgery
When I think of Adele's voice it has that Merida/Scottish sound to it that a lot of British singers have. Like Sam Smith has it too I think that's what you referred to as steel
she sings exactly like the record... she is shy and scared to study the harmoic field of the song and develop different approach. She is 7.5/10 (minus). Sometimes she breaks at higher register.
Girl it's not about how she can belt like experts...or she's great or not u have no right to say that...it's the essence of art that matters...so what if she's portraying sadness in her songs,its her art...and yeah much better than nicky minaj and all and all those who only brings out best vocals but no original soul touching elements like her...she's not simply famous...and you're not simply unfamous...there's a difference...she's not there as a mere vocalist...she's a performer, an artist
Interesting, thanks for the response! Would love to see a vocal analysis of her if you have time. Edit: Oops i thought I was talking to Dileesa haha. Thanks for response anyhow:D
Dileesa Hunter yes I love lianne please listen to her I've seen her live twice her voice is rich and can be big at times I don't know how to classify her though
this is very good and unbiased. I personally believe that she over sings. She really doesn't know what to do with her voice. she still so young and maybe, if she step back and get some proper vocal coaching and techniques, she will fully come into her own.
Dear Dileesa that was so on point and I feel so relieved that a professional has the same opinion about Adele. Another great analysis and could you please please with a huge cherry on top consider doing Kelly Rowland? Super gracias!
I think Adele has some moving songs, a nice tone and is pretty consistent. However her vocal technique and ever get phrasing is not that amazing at all. She's just a lot better than the below average competition that has filled the music charts for much of the last ten years, so she appears to be a lot more talented than she is due to that contrast. I also think some of her success is based on the fact that she filled the void left by the passing of Amy Winehouse. Thanks for another great video
probably the best expert youtuber! salute to you Ms Dileesa! I know she is not much of a vocalist, but can you do a Janet Jackson analsysis please. I'm a huge fan forever of Janet. thank you and more subs to your wonderful channel!
Sorry but Whitney did all those things Adele did and at the same age but never had vocal injuries like blood vessels popping etc. her polyps didn't come till 1995 a decade plus after she debuted. Whitney always had great technique , clearly Adele didn't
Robust & steely are characteristics to Dramatic voices. More so a Dramatic Mezzo due to her tessitura. Lyric Mezzo have a more clear & brighter tone even when in full voice.
im a big fan of her. she always claimed that after the vocal surgery in 2011 she had a much wider vocal range. i dont always feel like thats the case tho when i watch live videos of her in the 21 era vs the 25 era, it almost sounds like her tongue tension is so serious when hitting high notes (watch her perform 'one and only' live in 2015 where she sang the chorus, the "dare" note always sounds so forced comparing with the way she sang it in the past)
It seems like most younger pop singers don't realize they can improve their vocals when they're already very good or very popular, which might be the case with Adele. I suspect she had to have coaching after her vocal chord injury, however. Most people seem to need a little maturity before they realize that they can manipulate their natural talent to become even better and more consistent. Listen to the tight larynx at the last part of the chorus in "Someone Like You" to hear how she might have damaged her voice.
She quit smoking years ago. A lot of people who are fans of rangy voices, tend to say "Adele is overrated". Her voice is not about range. It's about Tone, color, and emotion of her voice.
Your speaking voice is pretty low! Is it natural or you've just learned to speak like that?) Actually, I've heard somewhere on RU-vid, that singers should train themselves to speak lower. Is it necessary?
Christina. Her voice is gorgeous and she takes a lot of risks with her interpretation and her performance styles, and she's a total bad ass. Adele is nice and all, but there are a lot of voices like hers, it's a well documented type. There's no one else like Christina that I have ever seen. In my opinion.
definitely christina. yeah, christina has a bad technique live but her voice is "prettier", she has more range and she can do a lot more with her voice.
Hey dilessa! I love you're videos and I've been subscribed to you for a long time!! I was wondering could you do an Ashanti Vocal Analysis. I know she's the best vocalist but she has improved greatly over the years... Thanks!
I wonder though about Lana Del Rey. I personally like her voice and style a lot, I do think she's talented, but her live performaces are not that appealing. However, I am really interested in your opinion.
Hi Dileesa, I agree her voice isn't warm, I like Adele and I listened to her at 19 (album), but I do think people put her on a pedestal vocally and her voice is nice but it's not like WOWWWW! But I'm not trained to know, I have an ear and her music great mainly bc of production. Amy was amazing (to me), Jessie J, Jazmine Sullivan is outstanding!
I'm going to have to go and keep posting this until you finally do it one day but i need more information on Wé McDonald. Or Michel'le and people who sing like them. How do they have such a soft, baby talking voice but sing a such powerful voice?
I really love your analysis. I'd guess you can say I watch them religiously. So I like hearing your opinions on singers and all that fun jazz. I requested in the past but I have one more vocalist/singer I'd like to hear your thoughts on. Lana Del Rey, over the years I've read many things about her voice. And every time I do her vocal type is labeled as Dugazon, which I have learned is a mix/ hybrid voice of a mezzo. I just think she's a mezzo but I'd like to hear your opinion. I think she's a B- when it comes to singing (I'm being nice). I love her songs, she's quite the writer. She's also quite good at changing the color of her voice as well. If I'd have to give you songs to look at for reference about her voice it's 'Off To The Races' (decent lows and nice use of head voice at the end), 'cola' (more decent head voice at the end. Many Bb5s and C#6), Her cover of 'Heart Shaped Box' live (the only time I heard her belt and sustained notes for LONG periods of time.) 'shades of cool' and 'Young And Beautiful'. As far as i know, her range is F#2 - E6 (G6). I don't quite know where some of that range can be found. I'd describe her voice in her lower range "hollow and icy" and her upper "girly, expressive, and bright". I'm being honest I don't expect you to sugar coat her analysis if you do happen to make one. I hope you do however! Also, Thank you Dileesa for the work you do here on RU-vid for us! ❤
I think Adele is very talented but does some effects herself like raspiness. Pop music likes that, as well as soul. Too many forced effects can damage the voice....I think youre not v wild about her voice, I see. Wonder if you analyze Kelly Clarkson? I love her singing.
Dileesa...Adele is a dramatic mezzo or an underdevelop dramatic soprano. Listen to this live performance with head phone: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xE82rCl4IM8.html. Her voice is very big, heavy and steely. She clearly has a dramatic instrument which is so rare. Adele has a very unique tone - not warm but extremely colorful.
chosentenore she sounds like a lyric mezzo. Her voice is warm in her low and middle register. She isn't warm in her high notes but she is not cold either.
Out of everybody in RU-vid I am the one you less have to teach about vocal fach. I can give you a schooling of fach if I wanted to. See, I am an Opera major in school. Adele has A LOT of volume output when she is in good voice and her voice in extremely METALLIC these are typical qualities for a dramatic mezzo. She reminds me of Dolora Zajick and Ebe Stignani in the pop version. They are both the epitome of dramatic mezzos. Pink is a real lyric mezzo with an absolutely beautiful voice for instance.
chosentenore I'm sorry but I don't accept the phallacy of autority. You should be able to explain why she is a drammatic. She isn't and I'll tell you why. Her voice is not metallic, hove you ever heard a metallic voice? Listen to Patti Labelle or Monica Naranjo, or Anastacia. Those are dramatic voices. Thire voices are bigger than Adele's. There are other lyric mezzos with that slightly metally top like Kelly Rowland and Beyonce. I even think Kelly has a thiker voice than Adele.
Are you serious? Kelly Rowland has one of the lighest instruments of the music industry. Adele’s voice is metallic everywhere from her low, certainly her middle and her upper register is pure metal. As I said, she also has huge volume output when she is in good voice because she is a poor technician of her singing craft overall. Anastasia is a dramatic mezzo as well but her singing style is a lot like a “put on type of voice”. Adele has the same voice type but a totally different style, She is all about sounding womanly, romantic, almost pure and one thing Adele has in her singing is: FINESE. She is a very femenine woman and wants her singing to be classy. She reminds me a lot of Dolora Zajick’s voice in the pop version. Proof of Adele being a dramatic mezzo: a lot of weight, metal and volume output. Really even Monica Naranjo who is a dramatic soprano doesn’t have Adele volume - look up Monica’s duet with Pavarotti who was far from being a Spinto tenor, he was really a medium size lyric and see how Monica’s voice completely vanishes next to Pavarotti’s. I’ve never liked Patti Labelle - a dramatic soprano without finese at all, she instead of making her sound powerful and beautiful with dynamics, decided to become the screamer of the industry.
chosentenore Rowland a light instrument, Beyonce (during destiny's child) had a far lighter voice than her. Adele having more volume output than Monica?????? Sure Pavaroti who was an opera singer had more power than a pop spinto soprano (she was a spinto back then)? Apart from that they where using very different types of mic so I don't really thibk we can compare it. Are you serious? Beyoce who has a lighter voice than Adele would make her unaudivle if they sang the same note at the same time without a mic. I think you are so delusional.
Well they are unexplainable lips cherry like, any way am a young singer have over 18 songs recorded your one of my voice coach Ave learn a lot from you how can i sent a few to you to give me some advice
