Mastering Halsey's Signature Style
Released as a single from Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, "Bad at Love" showcases Halsey's unique blend of gritty pop vocals and rapid-fire lyricism. Unlike a standard ballad, this song demands high energy, rhythmic precision, and a lot of attitude.
The track is written in C Major and sits comfortably in the Mezzo-Soprano range (G3 to C5). However, the challenge lies in the stylistic shifts: moving from the conversational, rap-like verses to the soaring, belted chorus without losing your breath.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Breathing
The verses are word-dense. Many users run out of air before the end of the phrase. Identify the comma pauses in the lyrics and take quick "sip" breaths rather than deep inhales to stay on beat.
Phase 1: The Verses (Spoken Word Style)
The verses ("Got a boy back home in Michigan...") are delivered almost like a rap. The notes hover around G3-A3. Do not try to sing this too melodically. Keep it rhythmic and punchy.
Diction is key: The AI Coach will penalize mumbled words. Focus on crisp consonants, particularly on the ends of words, to ensure the storytelling comes through clearly.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Build
As you move into "Look at me," the melody begins to lift. This is where you transition from chest voice speaking to a lighter mix. You want to build tension here, but don't give away all your power yet—save it for the drop.
Phase 3: The Chorus Drop
The chorus ("I'm bad at love!") hits the top of the range for this song (C5). This requires a confident chest-dominant mix. If you sing this in a light head voice, it will lose the necessary emotional grit.
To achieve Halsey's tone, you can incorporate a slight "vocal fry" at the onset of phrases, but be careful not to overdo it, as excessive fry can lead to vocal fatigue. Think of singing with a "smile" to brighten the resonance while keeping the chest connection strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted note in the chorus is a C5. It requires good support to hit without straining.
Yes! This song is perfect for Altos. The lowest notes (G3) are very comfortable, and the high C5 is a great goal note for expanding your upper register.
Halsey uses unique vowel shapes (often called "cursive singing"). Try flattening your vowels slightly and relaxing your jaw to mimic this stylistic choice.
