The Ballad That Broke the Internet
When Adele released "Hello" in 2015, it wasn't just a comeback; it was a vocal masterclass in soul dynamics. The song starts intimately, almost like a whisper, and explodes into an anthemic chorus that requires massive lung capacity. It is composed in the key of F Minor and demands a vocalist who is comfortable in both their lower register and their upper belt.
To sing this well, you need to navigate the bridge (passaggio) between your chest voice and head voice seamlessly. If you stay in chest voice too long, you will strain. If you switch to head voice too early, you lose the power.
AI Coach Tip: Watch the Low Notes
Many singers focus on the high notes but fail the verses. The F3 starting note must be supported. If you are too breathy on "Hello, it's me," you won't have enough air left for the phrase.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low Control)
The song begins in the lower tessitura of the female voice. The challenge here is clarity. You want a "spoken" quality, but with musical tone.
The Trap: Dropping the chin to hit low notes. This compresses the larynx. Instead, keep your head level and feel the vibration in your chest ("chest resonance") for a warm, dark tone.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Climb
On the line "There's such a difference between us," the melody begins to climb. This is the danger zone for cracking.
- The Build: Increase your breath pressure gradually here.
- Placement: Move the resonance from your chest up into your "mask" (behind the nose/eyes). This lightens the weight of the voice before the heavy chorus hits.
Phase 3: The Chorus Belt
The chorus ("Hello from the other side") sits high and requires power. The top note here is around an Ab4 to Eb5 depending on ad-libs. This is a "belt," but it must be a healthy mix.
To achieve this sound without hurting yourself, use "vowel modification." Instead of singing a wide "side" (which spreads the mouth), modify it to "sah-eed" with a dropped jaw. This keeps the throat open and allows the high notes to ring freely.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted note is roughly an Eb5. Adele touches on various high notes in her ad-libs, but the core strength is required in the Ab4-C5 region.
Yes. While the melody is simple to memorize, the dynamic range makes it difficult. You need excellent breath control to sustain the long phrases in the chorus.
Cracking happens when you pull pure chest voice up too high. You need to mix in your head voice. Try practicing the chorus on a "Nay" or "Mum" sound to find the right placement before singing the lyrics.
