Unlocking Charlie Puth's "Pop Funk" Vocals
Light Switch is a masterclass in modern pop production and vocal rhythmic placement. Released in 2022, the song is famous for its "dry" vocal production—meaning very little reverb is used in the verses—which requires the singer to be incredibly precise. There is nowhere to hide.
Charlie Puth uses a technique that blends a breathy, conversational chest voice with sudden, sharp transitions into falsetto. To sing this song effectively, you need to focus less on power and more on groove and articulation.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Plosives
Because the verses are sung so close to the microphone style, words starting with 'P' and 'B' can pop loudly. Practice singing "Baby" and "Push" with a lighter lip closure to improve your clarity score.
Phase 1: The Verses (Conversational Tone)
The song starts in a lower B2-F#3 range. This should feel like you are whispering a secret to someone right next to you. Use a lot of breathiness in your tone.
The Trap: Singers often drag the notes out. Charlie sings these lines staccato (short and detached). Listen to how he cuts off the words in "Why you callin' at 11:30?" Keep it snappy.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Climb
On the line "You're turnin' me on, turnin' me on," the melody climbs. You need to shift from that breathy whisper into a more forward-placed mix voice. Do not yell this part; simply narrow your vowels to help the sound travel up to the C#4.
Phase 3: The Chorus & The "Flip"
This is the signature moment. The transition into "You turn me on like a light switch" involves a rapid flip into falsetto (Head Voice) on the high notes. This contrast between the gritty chest voice and the clean falsetto is what gives the song its hook.
To practice this, try yodeling slowly between your low and high registers. The goal is to make the "break" in your voice intentional and stylistic, rather than trying to smooth it out completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest note is a C#5, sung in falsetto during the chorus. The melody generally hovers around F#4 in the upper chest/mix register.
It is moderately difficult. While the range isn't extreme, the rhythmic difficulty is high. If you drag the tempo, the song loses its energy immediately.
Relax your vocal cords slightly to let more air escape (an "aspirated" onset), but ensure you have good diaphragm support so you don't run out of breath before the end of the phrase.
