The Ultimate Pop Anthem for Breath Control
"One Last Time" is a staple of Ariana Grande's discography, released on her 2014 album My Everything. While it sounds effortless, it is a stamina marathon. The driving EDM beat requires the singer to maintain high energy and consistent volume in the upper mixed register (C5-Eb5) without fatiguing.
To sing this well, you need to master "compression" — holding back the air while maintaining resonance — rather than pushing harder. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Air
The chorus phrases are long and sit high in the tessitura. Our analysis shows users often run out of breath before the line "I need to be the one." Breathe deeply from your diaphragm during the quarter-rest breaks.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low Control)
The song begins in the lower part of Ariana's range (F3-C4). The challenge here is clarity. Singers often get too "muddy" or quiet here.
The Trap: As you sing "I was a liar, I gave into the fire," keep the sound forward in your mouth. Don't let it drop back into your throat, or you won't match the brightness of the track.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Mixed Belt)
This is the core workout. The melody jumps to a sustained C5 and Eb5. You must use a "mixed voice" here. If you pull your heavy chest voice up, you will strain. If you switch to pure head voice, you will lose the power.
- Placement: Aim the sound towards your nose and cheekbones (mask resonance).
- Vowels: Modify your vowels. On the word "One," think "Wuh-n" with a narrow shape to help the transition.
- Dynamics: Keep the volume consistent. The energy comes from the placement, not just volume.
Phase 3: The Outro (Agility)
As the song builds, Ariana adds complex ad-libs and runs using the Ab Major pentatonic scale. The final belts hit a G5. To nail these runs, practice them slowly on a lip trill first to get the pitch accuracy before adding lyrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
The core melody belts up to an Eb5, but the ad-libs in the outro hit a G5 in mixed/chest voice.
Yes! The Singing Coach AI app allows you to transpose the track. Lowering it by -2 or -3 semitones makes it very comfortable for Altos and even Tenors.
Ariana uses a very forward, slightly nasal placement mixed with a breathy onset. Try smiling slightly while singing to brighten the tone and lift the soft palate.
