Mastering the Retro-Funk Vibe
Released as the lead single from Unorthodox Jukebox, "Locked Out of Heaven" channels the spirit of The Police with a modern pop twist. It’s a high-energy track that demands incredible stamina and vocal agility. Bruno Mars doesn't just sing the notes; he attacks them with rhythmic precision and a gritty texture.
The song is built on contrast: tight, clipped verses followed by an explosive, open-throated chorus. To score high, you need to master the transition from the staccato delivery to the sustained belts without losing your breath.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Timing
In the verses ("One, two, one, two, three"), the phrasing is very short. Users often drag these notes out. Keep them punchy and short to match the reggae-rock groove and improve your rhythm score.
Phase 1: The Verses (Staccato Control)
The verses are sung in a lower, comfortable range (around D3-A3), but the challenge is style. The lyrics "Never had much faith in love or miracles" should be delivered with a percussive quality. Think of your voice as a drum.
The Trap: Getting too relaxed. Even though the notes are low, keep your energy high and your consonants crisp. If you slur the words, you lose the groove.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus (The Build)
On the line "Cause your sex takes me to paradise," the melody begins to climb. You need to start mixing more chest voice here. The volume should increase naturally. This section acts as a ramp launching you into the chorus.
- Swimming: On "And your sex takes me to paradise," ensure you are open and resonant.
- Yeah, Yeah, Yeah: These ad-libs require loose jaw tension. Don't clench.
Phase 3: The Chorus (The High Belt)
This is the vocal workout. The line "You make me feel like, I've been locked out of heaven" hits a sustained C5. This is high for most male singers.
To achieve Bruno's sound, you need "grit" or distortion. However, do not just scream. Use pharyngeal constriction (twang) to create the buzz, and support heavily from your diaphragm. If your throat feels scratchy, you are pushing too hard—back off and try a cleaner mix first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The core melody belts up to a C5. Bruno often adds ad-libs live that go even higher, but hitting the C5 with power is the main requirement for the song.
It definitely helps, as the tessitura (average range) sits high. Baritones might find the chorus fatiguing. You can use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose the song down -2 semitones for a more comfortable belt.
The rasp comes from compression, not grinding your vocal cords. Practice a "witchy" sound (nyah-nyah) to find the placement, then add the grit. If it hurts, stop immediately.
