GoSing! Playlist: Best Tracks to Practice and PerformWhether you’re a shower singer, aspiring performer, or seasoned pro, the right playlist can make all the difference. GoSing! Playlist: Best Tracks to Practice and Perform is designed to help you build vocal strength, expand range, improve phrasing, and win your audience — one song at a time. This guide covers song selections for different skill levels, styles, and vocal goals, along with practice tips, arrangement ideas, and performance advice to get the most from each track.
Why the right songs matter
Choosing songs that suit your voice and goals accelerates progress. The best practice tracks:
- Highlight comfortable ranges while gently pushing limits.
- Offer clear melodies that help with pitch accuracy.
- Include dynamic and emotional variety to develop expression.
- Provide opportunities for breathing, phrasing, and stylistic work.
How this playlist is organized
Songs below are grouped by purpose:
- Warm-ups & technical practice
- Beginner-friendly tracks
- Intermediate development songs
- Advanced showcase pieces
- Duets and collaboration picks
- Genre-specific selections
- Performance/competition choices
For each song I include: why it helps, which vocal techniques it targets, a suggested practice approach, and performance tips.
Warm-ups & technical practice (use these before every session)
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“Happy” — Pharrell Williams
- Why: Simple melody and upbeat rhythm ideal for breath control and articulation.
- Focus: Diaphragmatic breathing, light chest voice resonance, rhythmic phrasing.
- Practice: Sing along at half volume, then gradually increase dynamics.
-
“Yesterday” — The Beatles
- Why: Slow, lyrical line for controlled vowels and legato singing.
- Focus: Smooth transitions, pure vowels, emotional connection.
- Practice: Work phrase by phrase, sustaining vowels for even tone.
-
“Someone Like You” — Adele
- Why: Wide dynamic range and expressive ballad style to practice control.
- Focus: Mix voice, head voice transitions, controlled crescendos.
- Practice: Isolate chorus runs and practice smoothly connecting chest to head.
Beginner-friendly tracks (build confidence and accuracy)
-
“Count on Me” — Bruno Mars
- Targets: Pitch stability, simple harmony lines, ensemble singing.
- Tip: Sing with a metronome to lock rhythm; practice unison before harmony.
-
“Riptide” — Vance Joy
- Targets: Folk-pop phrasing, breath placement, storytelling.
- Tip: Keep a conversational tone; focus on clear consonants for rhythm.
-
“Stay With Me” — Sam Smith
- Targets: Emotional delivery, basic melisma, sustained notes.
- Tip: Use short practice intervals to hold long notes without strain.
Intermediate development songs (expand range & technique)
-
“Chasing Cars” — Snow Patrol
- Targets: Dynamic contrast, long phrases, intensity control.
- Practice: Gradual buildup of intensity across verses to chorus.
-
“If I Ain’t Got You” — Alicia Keys
- Targets: R&B runs, control in upper register, soulful phrasing.
- Practice: Slow down runs, practice with piano backing, then speed up.
-
“Shallow” — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
- Targets: Contrast between intimate verses and powerful chorus; duet timing.
- Practice: Map breath points and practice duet balance.
Advanced showcase pieces (for auditions & competitive performances)
-
“I Will Always Love You” — Whitney Houston (original Dolly Parton for stylistic variety)
- Targets: Full power belting, wide range, emotional storytelling.
- Practice: Build chest resonance safely, protect cords with proper breath support.
-
“All I Ask” — Adele
- Targets: Sustained high notes, controlled vibrato, phrasing under pressure.
- Practice: Strengthen head voice and mix, rehearse with piano.
-
“Bring Me to Life” — Evanescence
- Targets: Rock belt, gritty timbre, dramatic dynamics.
- Practice: Develop healthy distortion techniques; work with a vocal coach if needed.
Duets and collaboration picks
-
“Say Something” — A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera
- Practice: Match tone and space; assign parts by tessitura.
-
“Under Pressure” — Queen & David Bowie
- Practice: Work on timing and tight harmonies; consider swapping lines for variety.
-
“Shallow” — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
- Practice: Balance emotional arc; rehearse mic technique for soft-to-loud transitions.
Genre-specific selections
- Pop: “Blinding Lights” — The Weeknd (tight phrasing, rhythmic control)
- Rock: “Livin’ on a Prayer” — Bon Jovi (belt technique, chest resonance)
- R&B: “Ordinary People” — John Legend (soulful phrasing, subtle runs)
- Musical Theatre: “On My Own” — Les Misérables (character work, legato lines)
- Jazz: “Summertime” — Ella Fitzgerald (swing phrasing, improvisation)
How to practice each song (step-by-step)
- Listen: Study the original—arrangement, phrasing, and emotional arc.
- Isolate: Break into small sections (4–8 bars).
- Slow: Practice slowly to ensure pitch and timing accuracy.
- Technique: Add targeted drills (scales, runs, breath exercises) specific to the song.
- Build: Gradually increase tempo and dynamics.
- Record: Evaluate tone, pitch, and expression; iterate.
- Perform: Sing for friends or record a live take to simulate pressure.
Arrangement and performance tips
- Key: Transpose to a comfortable key that showcases your strengths.
- Intro/Outro: Craft intros or outros to make the arrangement distinct.
- Dynamics: Use soft verses and louder choruses to create emotional contrast.
- Mic technique: For soft moments, pull the mic slightly away for intimacy; move closer for quiet details.
- Staging: Use simple movements that enhance storytelling without draining breath.
Sample 20-song GoSing! practice playlist (balanced progression)
- Happy — Pharrell Williams
- Count on Me — Bruno Mars
- Riptide — Vance Joy
- Yesterday — The Beatles
- Stay With Me — Sam Smith
- Chasing Cars — Snow Patrol
- If I Ain’t Got You — Alicia Keys
- Shallow — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
- Someone Like You — Adele
- All I Ask — Adele
- I Will Always Love You — Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston
- Bring Me to Life — Evanescence
- Say Something — A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera
- Under Pressure — Queen & David Bowie
- Blinding Lights — The Weeknd
- Livin’ on a Prayer — Bon Jovi
- Ordinary People — John Legend
- On My Own — Les Misérables
- Summertime — Ella Fitzgerald
- Your favorite song — (end with a piece that keeps you inspired)
Troubleshooting common problems
- Pitchiness: Slow practice with a tuner or piano; sing intervals before phrases.
- Breath shortness: Work on diaphragmatic breathing and mark breaths in the score.
- Strain: Lower the key, reduce volume, and review technique with a coach.
- Stage nerves: Simulate performances, breathe slowly before starting, and focus on storytelling rather than perfection.
Final notes
A well-curated GoSing! playlist is a roadmap: start with manageable songs, add technical challenges, and finish with pieces that showcase your voice. Rotate songs to keep training balanced, and always pair repertoire practice with vocal health habits—hydration, rest, and mindful technique.
Good singing.
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