Mastering the Rhythm and Pain
"Believer" is a masterclass in percussive vocals. Released as the lead single from Imagine Dragons' third album Evolve, Dan Reynolds uses his voice almost like a drum kit. The song is driven by a deep chest resonance, triplet flows, and explosive outbursts of emotion.
To score high on this track, you need more than just pitch accuracy. You need "attack." The consonants are hard, the vowels are open, and the breath control must be surgical to handle the rapid-fire verses.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
The phrase "First things first" sets the tone. Our analysis shows users often slur these words together. Articulate the 'st' sounds clearly to lock into the beat grid.
Phase 1: The Percussive Verse (0:09 - 0:44)
The verse sits in a comfortable low range (Bb2 - F3) for most male voices, but it can be tricky for higher voices to get enough power. The key is the triplet rhythm (1-2-3, 1-2-3).
The Trap: Running out of air. The lines "I'm firing up my loudmouth..." come fast. Practice taking quick "sip" breaths at the punctuation marks so you don't sound gassed before the chorus hits.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Build (0:44 - 0:58)
The intensity rises on "I was broken from a young age." You need to start mixing more chest voice in here. The melody climbs, and the volume should increase linearly.
- Sulking/masses: Keep the vowels narrow here to maintain tension.
- Poem/wrote: Begin to open your throat (yawn shape) to prepare for the massive belt coming next.
Phase 3: The Chorus Belt (0:58 - 1:26)
This is pure power. The word "Pain!" hits an F4 with full chest force. It is the release of all the tension built in the verse.
To achieve the Dan Reynolds sound without hurting your throat, engage your solar plexus (stomach muscles) significantly. Imagine you are shouting to someone across a football field. Keep the vowel on "Pain" open (closer to "Pan" or "Pah-n") rather than a closed "Pain" sound, which will squeeze your larynx.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted chest-voice note in the main melody is an F4. There are background vocal layers and falsetto flourishes that reach higher, but the core power sits in the mid-range.
Breath mapping is key. Take quick 'sip' breaths between the triplet phrases in the second verse ('falling like ashes...'). Do not try to sing the whole verse on one breath.
It is moderately difficult. While the range isn't extreme, the stamina required to maintain the high energy and rhythmic precision makes it a workout for intermediate singers.
