Mastering the Power Ballad
Released on the 1993 album Get a Grip, "Amazing" acts as a sister song to "Dream On," reflecting on Steven Tyler's journey through addiction and recovery. For a singer, this track is a masterclass in dynamics. You begin with an intimate, storytelling tone and must gradually build to a stadium-filling climax.
The song sits primarily in C Major, which is generally accessible, but Tyler's unique vocal texture—a mix of bluesy rasp and piercing head voice—is what makes it challenging. Let's break down the technique required to sing it authentically.
AI Coach Tip: The "Tyler" Rasp
To get that gritty sound safely, don't just squeeze your throat. Focus on "twang" (narrowing the epiglottis) combined with strong abdominal support. If you feel tickling or pain, stop immediately. The app monitors for vocal strain during the chorus.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:00 - 1:35)
The opening lines, "I kept the right ones out, and let the wrong ones in," should be sung with a conversational approach. Tyler uses a lot of breathiness here to convey vulnerability.
The Technique: Keep your volume low (mezzo-piano). Focus on diction. The rhythm is loose and bluesy, so avoid being too robotic on the beat. Drag the phrasing slightly to match the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Phase 2: The Chorus Lift (1:36 - 3:45)
When the chorus hits ("It's Amazing..."), the energy shifts. You need to switch from that breathy tone to a solid chest-mix.
- Vowels: Modify the "A" in "Amazing" to a slightly darker "Uh" sound (Uh-mazing) to keep your larynx stable as you ascend in pitch.
- Resonance: Move the vibration from your mouth to your mask (nose and cheekbones). This helps you project over the band without shouting.
- Connection: Ensure a smooth bridge between the chest voice used in the verses and the mix used here.
Phase 3: The Climax & Outro (3:45 - End)
As the song builds toward the guitar solo and the final "So from all of us to all of you" section, Tyler enters his upper register. The ad-libs here reach up to F#5.
This section requires a reinforced head voice or a "pharyngeal" mix. You cannot pull your heavy chest weight up this high. Think of the sound as being thin and laser-focused, piercing through the music rather than overpowering it with mass.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main melody stays within a reasonable Tenor range (up to A4), but Steven Tyler's ad-libs and screams in the outro hit a piercing F#5.
Yes! It is better to sing with a clean, healthy tone than to force a rasp and damage your cords. Focus on the emotion and dynamics first; the grit is just an effect.
The chorus has long sustained notes. Practice diaphragmatic breathing exercises in the Singing Coach AI app to increase your lung capacity before attempting the full song.
