How to Sing Like Adele - A Step By Step Guide

What Makes Adele's Singing So Emotional?

One of Adele's greatest strengths is her ability to make a song feel like a conversation. Rather than delivering every line at the same intensity, she varies her volume, tone, and phrasing to bring the meaning of the lyrics to life.

Here are a few elements worth exploring in your own singing.

1. Use Vocal Dynamics to Tell a Story

Adele often begins a phrase gently before gradually building intensity. This contrast gives the listener a reason to pay attention and makes the more powerful moments feel earned.

Try singing a verse softly, then gradually increase your volume as you approach the chorus. Focus on keeping your voice supported and relaxed rather than simply pushing harder. The goal is to create contrast, not strain.

2. Pay Attention to Phrasing

Phrasing is the way you shape a line of music. It includes where you breathe, which words you emphasize, and how you connect one phrase to the next.

Listen to how Adele delivers the lyrics of a song. Notice which words she stretches, where she pauses, and how she changes the timing to emphasize a particular emotion.

Choose a short section of one of her songs and speak the lyrics naturally before singing them. This can help you find a more conversational delivery and make the words feel more personal.

3. Connect Emotionally With the Lyrics

You don't have to imitate Adele's tone or mannerisms to deliver an emotional performance. Start by understanding what the song is about and what the lyrics mean to you.

Before singing, consider a few questions:

• What is the main emotion behind the song?
• Which lyric feels most important to the story?
• Where does the emotion change or intensify?
• How would you say these words if you were speaking directly to someone?
  

These questions can help you make intentional choices instead of concentrating only on hitting the right notes.

How to Sing With Power Without Straining Your Voice

Adele's powerful choruses can make singers want to push their voices harder, but more volume doesn't automatically mean better singing. Forcing a high note can create tension in your throat, jaw, and neck, making the sound less controlled and leaving your voice feeling tired.

Instead, focus on building a reliable foundation.

Find a Comfortable Key

Adele's original recordings may not sit comfortably in your vocal range. That's completely normal. Try singing the song in a different key or starting with a section that feels manageable.

The aim is to develop control and expression in a range that works for your voice. You can gradually work on more challenging passages as your coordination improves.

Keep Your Jaw and Neck Relaxed

Tension can interfere with your ability to sing freely, especially during louder passages. Before you begin, gently loosen your jaw and shoulders. As you sing, pay attention to whether you're clenching your teeth, lifting your chin, or tightening your neck.

If a note feels uncomfortable, stop and try it more gently. Persistent pain or hoarseness is a sign to rest your voice rather than push through.

Plan Your Breaths

Long phrases can be challenging, particularly when you're trying to maintain an emotional delivery. Identify natural places to breathe before you sing the song all the way through.

Practise one phrase at a time, focusing on a steady, comfortable flow of air. With repetition, you can develop a more consistent delivery without rushing through the lyrics or running out of breath at the end of a line.

An Exercise to Develop More Expressive Singing

You can practise Adele-inspired vocal expression without immediately attempting her most demanding songs.

Step 1: Choose a short lyric. Pick two or three lines from a song you enjoy.

Step 2: Speak the words naturally. Focus on the meaning and imagine you're communicating the message directly to another person.

Step 3: Sing the passage gently. Keep the volume comfortable and maintain the natural rhythm of your speech.

Step 4: Experiment with dynamics. Sing the passage again, making one phrase softer and another more intense. Avoid increasing volume by squeezing or forcing your voice.

Step 5: Record yourself. Listen for whether the words sound clear and expressive. Notice which moments feel convincing and which could use more variety.

Repeat the exercise with different lyrics. Over time, you'll become more comfortable making expressive choices instead of relying on volume alone.

Learn From Adele While Developing Your Own Voice

Adele's performances show how much impact a singer can create through phrasing, vocal dynamics, emotional connection, and thoughtful interpretation. Her journey, including her time at The BRIT School and her work with vocal mentor Sam Marlowe, also highlights the value of learning and developing as an artist.

You can take inspiration from her approach while discovering what makes your own voice distinctive. With practice, you can develop greater confidence, improve your control, and learn to communicate a song's meaning more naturally.

At The Singing Place in Hollywood & Westlake, CA, instructor Kathleen Kernohan works with singers to help them build vocal technique, confidence, and expressive ability. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced singer looking to refine your skills, singing lessons can help you work toward your goals without forcing your voice to fit someone else's sound.

If you're ready to explore your voice and become a more confident, expressive singer, get in touch with The Singing Place to learn more about lessons.