Mastering the Modern Baritone Anthem
Barcelona is a standout track from George Ezra's debut album Wanted on Voyage. While it sounds effortless and breezy, it presents a significant challenge for modern pop singers who are used to singing in higher tenors: maintaining power and clarity in the lower register.
To sing this well, you need to master your "chest voice." George Ezra creates a warm, enveloping sound by keeping his larynx relaxed and allowing the sound to resonate in his chest cavity. Let's break down how to achieve that specific tonal quality.
AI Coach Tip: Don't Push the Lows
A common mistake is trying to "push" air to make low notes louder. This causes vocal fry or breathiness. Instead, reduce airflow and think about speaking the notes on a yawn.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low Range)
The song sits comfortably in E Major, but the verses dip down to E2. This is exceptionally low for pop music. The line "Spotlight, bad dreams" requires you to keep your vocal cords thick and loose.
The Technique: Visualize the sound dropping into your chest. If you feel vibration in your sternum, you are doing it right. Keep your volume moderate; if you try to sing an E2 too loudly, you may lose the pitch.
Phase 2: The Chorus (Dynamics)
The energy shifts in the chorus ("And you and I..."). The melody jumps up, moving towards the middle of your range. This requires a quick adjustment in breath support.
- Vowel Shaping: George tends to round his vowels deeply. "Barcelona" sounds almost like "Bar-ce-loh-nah." This creates that mature, resonant color.
- Rhythm: The strumming pattern is rhythmic and driving. Ensure your consonants are crisp so the lyrics don't get lost in the warmth of the tone.
Phase 3: The Falsetto Hooks
Throughout the background and the bridge, there are "Ooh" vocalizations that jump into head voice (around G#4). This provides a necessary contrast to the heavy low notes. Keep these light and airy to match the "tropical" vibe of the instrumentation.
The transition needs to be seamless. Practice sliding from your chest voice to your head voice without a "crack" or sudden break in volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lowest sung note is an E2. This is at the very bottom of a standard Baritone range and requires good technique to project.
Yes, but the low verses might be quiet or breathy. You can use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose the song up +2 semitones to make it more comfortable.
Ezra's sound comes from a low larynx position (like the beginning of a yawn) and strong chest resonance. Avoid singing "through your nose."
