Up and running!

Thanks for bringing that over. That little clip in the beginning verse is perfect for demonstrating the difference between Adam and just about every other pop singer out there today. Kris sings on pitch, in a very pleasant pop voice, and with power, and the listener says "He sounds good." Then Adam sings the next phrase and it's a totally different ball game. His voice cuts thru with this ringing resonance and effortless power that makes you realize the strain in Kris' voice that is totally missing from Adam's voice.

I wouldn't say it was operatic in style, any more than Soaked is operatic. But, they both call to mind an operatic style. Both also show the technique of breathing, projecting, support, sustain and power that would be used in opera.

The resonance he employs is not as pure crystal as I might imagine if he were singing opera, nor is the pronunciation operatic. For that, you can listen to "My Conviction". In that song he sings in an operatic style in parts, then lapses (intentionally) into this broad articulation that spills the classic tone into something of a parody. Granted, he is singing as a mezzo-soprano opera singer, but, combine that with the Queen number or Soaked, and you get the idea. The sound of a male voice, with the technique of the mezzo.

While many people are talking about how Adam COULD sing opera, and a few have mentioned that he had vocal lessons in opera in the past, I base my belief that he could do legitimate opera on two things: first, that he has done it. He said in one interview that he used to do these corporate gigs as a singing waiter where they did some light opera and arias. Secondly, I have traded a couple of emails with Angelina, and she said (hope she doesn't mind me quoting her here) "I know he's singing the music that calls from his soul, but with his voice, he could reach new heights in opera - of that I'm very sure!" So, if the professional opera singer hears that in his voice, who am I to argue?

I have read that comment a couple of times and I am puzzled at why they have that opinion. I think one person was basing it on the type of singing Adam is doing now with the rock wails, sky high notes, and more rock sound. The conclusion was that such singing would cause damage to his vocal cords so that he couldn't sing as he had earlier.

I understand why one might fear that. There are aging rock stars galore(and some not so aging) who have blown out their voices and can sing only a shadow of what they once did. And not just rock stars: think of Whitney.

However, I have heard no indication that that has happened to Adam's voice. I strongly suspect (and hope) it has not. And here is why.

1. Adam's rock wails and stratospheric high notes are produced differently from the typical rock singer. First off, he is a natural high tenor, when most others are baritones. They have to push and strain to hit those notes that are naturally within Adam's range. Take, for instance, that wonderful note he hits in Fever. You know the one. There is no push there. No raspiness. No gruff, flat tone. He hits it and it just rings out. Pure tone. That's because he is using proper vocal technique. Proper placement of the tone in his head accompanied by proper breath support to produce the power, rather than brute force. It sounds very different from, say Robert Plant.

2. Adam knows technically how to use his voice in his different registers, and how to shift seamlessly between them. Most rock/pop singers don't have that training. And, frankly, there is little chance that they will stumble upon the correct technique without it. You can hear the obvious breaks in their voice from their chest register (low) to their falsetto. The chest may be thick and powerful, possibly raspy, and the false is thin and very light with no power. That doesn't work for power rock/pop. So, instead, they force their chest voices into those upper notes, like trying to squeeze your feet into a shoe that is two sizes too small. That puts enormous strain, tension, and stress on the vocal cords and can eventually cause permanent damage. (Like when you scream at an Adam concert and can barely croak out a sound the next morning. Don't worry. Unless you go to Adam concerts on a daily basis.) Adam's technical training and mastery allow him to hit those high notes in what many people have described as an "effortless" manner. Even someone who knows nothing about singing technique hears that lack of strain. It is "effortless" in that it does not tax his voice, but it takes a lot of effort in terms of practice to master the techniques.

3. Adam is aware of his voice and its limits. We know, for example, that for the tour, many of the songs were pitched in a slightly lower key than on the recording, so as to allow him to sing them nightly without causing damage.

4. Adam takes very good care of his voice. He says he does not obsess about it, but we know he is mindful of it. For example, in the pre-show schedule someone recently posted, he had I think a half an hour set aside for vocal warm up. And, because he is often late starting his performances, I think we can trust that he doesn't scrimp on that, even if M&Gs go long. We also know of instances where he has avoided the high notes and taken things down the octave. That is evidence of his protecting his voice. We also see him sometimes with a cup of hot tea with honey on the stage, sipping it. It's not cuz he is cold, folks. It is to help his throat if he is fighting a cold or infection. We have also seen him refuse to sing when asked in interviews. Not cuz he is a prima donna but because he knows his voice is not properly warmed up. There are many more instances where we have seen him do things that singers do to protect and nurse their voices.

5. Adam works with a vocal coach. How many other rock/pop singers do that? You can be sure the coach would rake him over the coals if he were doing something potentially harmful to his voice.

6. Angelina Kalahari, the opera singer, has heard him in concert several times. She speaks about his proper classical technique, his wonderful breath support, and his wonderful tone. If anyone could hear evidence that he was straining or damaging his voice, or had already caused damage, it is someone with her extensive background and training. The Masterclass lady, who is a voice teacher and commented in her blog about the AI contestants, frequently cautioned singers to be careful of how they were singing, but noted Adam's correct technique.

All this is evidence to me that Adam still has the instrument he had at 22, and if anything, it has become better and more adaptable since then. Part of it is practice, part of it is natural maturation of the voice. I think he will continue to develop, and in his mid thirties, when his voice is fully mature, we will hear even more magnificence.

Cassie, love your posts. I come to this thread everyday just to read your comments. I do not have any knowledge of how it works but you make it so easy to understand . I especially love the cave example you gave.
Thanks a lot for sharing with us.

This was on page one of Masterclass and it is Cassie's answer to me about Conviction. It adds to "Adam the opera voice" discussion.